Application Deadline: May 19, 2020
The (FAO) is looking for a UN Volunteer Communications Specialist in Djibouti. The FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Their goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active healthy lives.
Under the overall direction and supervision of the FAO Representative, the Communications Specialist will provide strategic direction and communication support to enhance visibility of FAO’s programme in Djibouti. In regular consultation and coordination with the communication focal points of the Regional Office for Africa, Office of Corporate Communications, and the Sub-regional Office of East Africa, the UN Volunteer will ensure the development and implementation of the country communication strategy. Activities and output under the strategies need coordination and coherence with the organizational/corporate communication policy and operational guidelines.
Tasks
The UN Volunteer will perform the following tasks:
• Develop and implement country specific communication strategy by identifying stakeholders, goals, objectives and timelines and consulting with thematic and technical teams.
• Comply with the FAO corporate and regional communication strategies and closely coordinate plans and activities with the Regional Communication Officer.
• Develop communication plans for specific activities and target key messages tailored to certain audience (including donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the public), and disseminate information efficiently and effectively.
• Coordinate, produce and disseminate communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, human interest stories, posters and other visibility products in close coordination with focal points in RAF and in observance of corporate and branding guidelines.
• Develop a media database and partnerships with media organizations and journalists; interact and pitch stories of interest; organize media field visits.
• Coordinate media engagement during events and missions and collect visual and audio footage for archiving of events and missions.
• Create policy briefs and other strategic communication publications.
• Draft press releases and talking points; organize press conferences; prepare media kits; provide information to querying journalists; manage flagship FAO events (e.g., World Food Day, project launches, workshops, etc.).
• Cover high-level and high-visibility events; ensure media coverage and disseminate live information to highlight messages.
• Produce content for online and social media channels such as the website, Flickr, Twitter, etc. Write and edit web posts and ensure content is interesting and visually appealing. Increase FAO Djibouti’s social media engagement and feature stories that will appeal to audience.
• Work closely and train colleagues as communication champions and how to deal with the media by providing key messages and basic tips on media engagement.
• Participate and represent FAO in inter-agency communication meetings (UN Communication Group) and ensure FAO representation and participation in UN events.
• Monitor communication plans and address gaps to improve effectiveness and quality.
• Coordinate production of stories from the field such as documentaries and photo essays; this includes drafting TORs for production team, writing script, conducting interviews, managing vendors, arranging logistics, etc.
Benefits
• UN volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).
• UN volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.
• UN provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).
•UN volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.
• UN will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate
Eligibility
• Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.
Requirements
• Bachelor degree or equivalent in communication, journalism, international relations or related area.
• Required experience: 36 Months
• Experience Remark:
At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in relevant fields and programmes;
Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Language skills:
French (Mandatory), Level – Fluent
English (Optional), Level – Working Knowledge
• Area of expertise: Other communications related experience
• Competencies values: Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams
Application
• First register in the UN Talent Pool.
• Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply. A how to register video can be found here.
Already have a UNV Talent Pool account? Click here to apply.
For more information, visit FAO.
