Communications and Reporting specialist- job post at Food and Agriculture Organization Of the United Nations

Technical Focus

• The incumbent will deliver a range of communications and advocacy materials and ensure that donor reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participate in the assessments to establish the baseline and food security assessments to monitor the improvement of beneficiary’s household food consumption, resilience, business development, markets enhancement, etc.
• Develop and produce communication products to highlight donors support and including but not limited to key messages, briefs, brochures, talking points, success stories and presentations; also travel to affected areas, as necessary, to ensure collection/production of stories, interviews, photos and videos.
• Liaise closely with the Emergency Programme Coordinator and project focal points to ensure coherence and accuracy of information used in communication products;
• Assist media relations, including: drafting press releases, media-style briefs, talking points and Q&A; developing and maintaining a network of media contacts in country; and organizing press conferences/briefings and field visits; 
• Support liaison with FAO HQ and FAO RAF media relations colleagues to facilitate exposure of the Joint Project’s and FAO’s work and needs in the agriculture sector, ensuring accuracy/relevance of content developed and disseminated by them; 
• Assist in the dissemination – at country, regional and global levels – of communication products, including publication on FAO or partner Web sites, liaising closely with outreach and web teams at FAO-HQ (both OCC and TCS Outreach Team) and making full use of web and corporate social media channels (fao.org, intranet, fao.org/emergencies, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) in line with FAO guidelines;
• Liaise with the communication team of the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) for sharing of information and guidance on communication activities.
• Support donor websites monitoring and assist in the preparation of resource mobilization materials 
• Provide content and materials such as photos and videos to RAF to highlight stories on the ground.
• Participate in the OCHA Humanitarian Communications Group and other relevant fora/meetings (e.g. UN Communication Group) and work in close collaboration with OCHA Reporting and Public Information teams and UN Communication teams to ensure sectoral priorities, the needs of affected populations and FAO are well represented; 
• Undertake travel to affected areas, as necessary, and ensure collection/production of stories, interviews, photos and videos;
• Compile progress information and assist the Project Coordinator in outlining monthly progress statements and quarterly and annual progress reports including activities undertaken, distributions of inputs lists of actual beneficiaries, problems encountered and recommendations relevant to FAO and government (MOA, SEMA, NEMA) requirements; 
• Contribute to the preparation of programme and project documents and new proposals, briefs, evaluation reports, and correspondence for internal use and for recipient governments and donors; 
• Facilitate, prepare, participate and respond to donor missions and reporting requirements 
• Assist in the preparation of publication documents as required;
• Provide communication support for events organized by FAO and in which FAO is participating; 
• Assist in undertaking assessment of the project impact on the beneficiaries through activity assessments and end-of-project assessment 
• Prepare and submit the draft final report, including all project activities, impact assessment, and lessons learned, and make recommendations for follow-up assistance in the agricultural sector.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Liaise with the Office of Communication (OCC) will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes. 
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
• FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf; Spanish: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf; Chinese: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf); 
• FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm; 
• FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en;   
• Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf;
• Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf;
• UN map standards (available to staff);
• FAO Brand and policy book (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

• University degree (Bachelor’s or Post graduate) in  journalism, mass communications, communications for development or relevant social science. 
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian and agricultural/rural development sectors communication, promotion or advocacy including work experience with national and international NGO’s, UN agencies, governments and donors.
• Working knowledge of English both verbal and written.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and Team spirit
• Experience of projects involving multiple and diverse stakeholders including 
• Governments, private sector, civil society and end users.
• Working knowledge of the local language in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. 
• Experience and competences in working with women and youths groups will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of UN system policies, rules, and regulations;
• Work experience within United Nations System or an international organization is an asset.