IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The FAO Liaison Office for North America (FAOLOW) is responsible for the communication, cooperation and collaboration with the government agencies of the United States and Canada, each country’s legislators/parliamentarians, civil society, academia and the private sector in the region.

The position is located in LOW in Washington D.C., United States.

Reporting Lines
The Communication Officer reports to the Director of the Liaison Office, based in Washington DC, and will work in coordination with the FAO Office of Communications (OCC), which is responsible for both the external and internal communications of the Organization as well as maintaining branding and content guidelines. In addition, the incumbent will work in close collaboration with the office’s Senior Liaison, Partnerships and Legislative Outreach Officers, as well as the Indigenous Peoples Unit representative and FAO technical units or regions, as required.

Technical Focus
External and internal communications, to include writing and editing engaging content for the website, newsletter and delivery of digital products for social media; media outreach, content design as well as the support, planning and coordination of communications for regional and local events.

Key Results
Contribute to improving the effectiveness of internal and external communication, web publishing, social media, and media-relations activities of the Organization.

Key Functions
• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology-related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support internal and/or external communication.
• Produces a variety of information and reports as well as input for communication-related documents and web pages.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other offices and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

Specific Functions
• Supports a comprehensive communication strategy and engagement plan, coordinates with North American based partners; develops and maintains updated a calendar of forthcoming communication events in order to ensure timely anticipation and preparation of the events.
• Maximizes FAO regional visibility, using corporate branding and visual identities across communications vehicles Ensures close engagement with the United States and Canadian and North American based press corps.
• As requested by the Director, represents FAO at United States and Canadian Government communication meetings.
• Ensures timely dissemination of press releases and other information material to FAO headquarters and press correspondents and partners, as appropriate.
• Ensures timely preparation of messaging and materials in support of the FAOLOW Director, in coordination with the Office of Communication (OCC) and in cooperation with concerned FAO units.
• Makes communication arrangements, in close coordination with OCC branches, for outreach and advocacy events, including World Food Day, other international days of relevance to FAO's mandate and other important events; translates complex technical information into compelling messages, writing in a clear and concise manner and coordinate the preparation of a wide range of promotional material (videos, web apps, human interest stories, visual products, social media assets, websites, press releases, etc.).
• Prepares communication material and presentations supporting FAOLOW's engagement with partners, including government bodies, universities and the general public.
• Maintains the social media account(s) and the website of the office, posting content, monitoring and building engagement, in line with corporate priorities and in alignment with OCC.
• Ensures coherence with FAO's corporate communications policies, branding and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs.
• Evaluates impact of key communications and advocacy activities as part of the implementation of LOW's communication strategy.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
Education: Advanced university degree in communication, social science, journalism, political science or related fields
Experience: Five years of relevant experience in communications, web publishing and/or social media networks.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of communication and outreach for international/intergovernmental initiatives, particularly at international level.
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Ability to translate complex and technical communications to a wide and varied audience, in a simple and concise manner. Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of web publishing and social media networks as well as in editing communication, promotional or technical materials.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and dissemination of communication, promotional or technical materials.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French is an asset.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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