National Communication and Partnership Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
•    catalyze partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.
Under the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2021-2025, FAO China works closely with Chinese national partners to 1) support people, prosperity, better production and better nutrition through rural revitalization; 2) protect the planet, and better environment through sustainable and resilient agrifood systems; and 3) enhance partnerships and a better life through international and regional cooperation.
One of the FAO’s corporate goals is to increase visibility of the organization’s good work being done at country, regional and international levels. While the Headquarters and Regional Offices have dedicated staff to help achieve this goal, dedicated specialists in media outreach at country-level are required to increase visibility in national vernacular media (and beyond).

Reporting Lines

The National Communication and Partnership Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in China, in close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and the Regional Communications Officer in the Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific.

Technical Focus

The overall objective of the incumbent is to coordinate and lead the implementation of the FAO Representation’s Communication strategy, in compliance with OCC communications strategy, support visibility of the FAO’s work, and explore potential partnership opportunities in supporting the Member’s contribution to helping achieve the global, regional and national objectives in eliminating poverty and hunger (the SDGS). By contributing to the positioning and improved visibility of FAO’s work, through mass media and other outreach channels, and with a target audience of constituents such as policy makers, technical experts, students, academia, research institutions, NGOs, CSOs, donors and the general public, the incumbent will promote a corporate image of FAO as an open/accessible, multidisciplinary institution capable of rapid responses and actions in support of its constituents and donors.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead and coordinate the implementation of the FAO-China Communication Strategy in support of the Country Programming Framework (CPF), Regional Initiatives, FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme, FAO corporate and the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF).
•    Form and maintain strategic partnerships with medial networks, strengthen internal capacity for media outreach and technical expertise.
•    Collate information and develop appropriate digital assets, in line with global FAO key messages, terminology, standards and guidelines, and day-to-day management of thematic/regional/country social media channel(s), including FAO’s WeChat, Weibo, Toutiao, and Douyin accounts, as per the FAO social media guidelines and in support of country/regional/global strategies, liaising and coordinating with the relevant technical officers, Regional Communication Officers (RCO) and OCC, as appropriate, and relevant supervisor for clearance.
•    For videos intended for use on social media channels, liaise with RCO and OCC to review scripts, formats and final clearances.
•    Advocate and promote FAO’s mandates, missions and purposes in the country.
•    Participate in the development and implementation of thematic/country/regional/divisional communications plans for campaigns or key priorities such as the World Food Day, International Year, Four Betters, etc.
•    Maintain regular coordination with RCO and OCC, including ensuring key messages, outputs and products are shared via global multilingual channels, as appropriate.
•    Prepare and disseminate press releases and social media posts about FAO projects in the country, including Trust Fund projects, TCP projects, FAO-GEF projects, FAO-China SSC Programme, and other activities implemented by FAOCN.
•    Support the strengthening of FAO’s media relations and public visibility in the country, facilitate interviews.
•    Administrate and monitor the FAOCN website with press releases and other relevant information. Support digital marketing, including by identifying, vetting and liaising with digital influencers, in close collaboration with RCO and OCC.
•    Develop, maintain and implement FAO-China Communication Strategy.
•    Create, improve and maintain a national media database.
•    Increase the number of good photos from the work of FAOCN and submit them to OCC for inclusion in the FAO Mediabase and/or upload to Flickr.
•    Track and log all media reports involving FAO at country level and send reports to both FAO Representative and RAP Communication Officer for SOMI notification.
•    Identify training requirements in communications and provide training for the staff of FAOCN to support the sustainability of the communications initiatives.
•    Support GEF team in the office to publish project newsletters through PWS.
•    Provide communications training for the FAO-GEF project management offices in the country, as requested.
•    Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•    Assist in the communication work of FAO DPRK, including supporting the production of various communication materials, such as brochures and fact sheets
•    Be familiarity with and ensure all communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en 
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia  
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries: https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

•    Develop and maintain FAO’s relations with multilateral, national development partners, institutions, donors, governments, NGOs, CSOs, academia and the public.
•    Coordinate the establishment of partnership agreements, MoUs with partners and follow-up with the action plan in the country.
•    Other required activities to fulfil the visibility objectives as requested by the Organization.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university in journalism, communications, public relations, television production or other relevant post-secondary qualifications
•    At least three years of relevant experience in communication, journalism, media engagement, public relationship or related fields
•    Working knowledge of English and Chinese
•    National of Chinese

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria 

•    Proficiency knowledge/skill of administrating various on-line social platforms, i.e. Weibo, Wechat.
•    Good understanding of strategic communication and solid skills in written and visual forms of communication.
•    Considerable work experience in general news field reporting, newsgathering and/or writing for a major national or international news outlet
•    Established efficient contact/network with local media, and proven experience in networking with partners at all levels
•    Extend and relevance of experience in the field of communication services for events organizations, interviews, and maintenance of various social media platforms at the international and national level, including substantive experience in journalism.
•    Demonstrated ability to work in and motivate a diverse team, fostering an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere.
•    Work experience in both international and national environment, understanding of FAO policies and programmes could be as asset
•    Ability to operate under pressure and good interpersonal skill.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION