Communications Associate (SC6)

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

In emergencies, WFP gets food where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. In Sri Lanka. a lower-middle-income country, WFP is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in tandem with sister UN Agencies and the government, and in particular, SDG 2, Zero Hunger.

WFP is looking for multifaceted individuals to join our dynamic team as Communications Associate to support in pursuing our mission.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Communications Associate, SC6 (Colombo)
Contract Type: Service Contract
Number of Position: 1
Contract Duration: 12 Months
Duty Station: Colombo
Nationality: Sri Lankan only
Remuneration: Attractive remuneration package following UN policy including salary and medical insurance

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Monday 26 September 2022

JOB PURPOSE

The goal is to further WFP’s mission in Saving Lives and Changing Lives by providing support to the Communications Officer in the creation of communications campaigns and products and the delivery of communications services aimed at maintaining and enhancing WFP’s visibility and reputation and supporting fundraising activities. The job holder will work closely with all internal units including focal points in the Regional Bureau and Headquarters. He/ she will coordinate with partners to raise awareness and build the reputation of WFP in Sri Lanka, including collaborative activities under the broader umbrella of the UN in Sri Lanka.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Working under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer (NOA), the Communications Associate will be responsible for a wide variety of communication related assignments within delegated authority, including – but not limited to – the following:

1. Produce written documents as needed including human interest stories, press releases, briefing notes, talking points, fact sheets, reports, etc to meet expected quality standards of senior management.

2. Develop visual materials including creating basic videos, obtaining/ editing photographs and designing social media posts, brochures, posters and other visibility pieces.

3. Perform general administrative processes and activities, to support in the development, preparation, execution and dissemination of communication campaigns for target audiences.

4. Provide suggestions to enhance WFP image, publicize activities and enhance donor visibility and provide coordination support to ensure the timely and effective delivery of video/film, photographic and written publications.

5. Monitor campaigns to evaluate performance and report lessons learnt.

6. Ensure smooth functioning of WFP social media accounts by publishing posts according to a pre-planned content calendar, which supports WFP’s objective of creating publicity for its activities, enhancing donor visibility and engaging with stakeholders.

7. Serve as an information focal point, organise and execute special events and support/ coordinate media coverage, with timely follow up to optimise publicity of WFP’s activities.

8. Monitor traditional and digital media and report relevant information to senior staff and other stakeholders to inform the development and/or evaluation of communications activities and strategies.

9. Manage updates of external communication repositories, including WFP website, and manage and update internal records and databases and the storage of audio/visual materials, ensuring information is accurate, organised and available for others to access.

10. Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the media and influencers, in order to provide an aligned, coherent service, enhance visibility for WFP and identify opportunities to collaborate/integrate processes and activities.

11. Deputize for the Communications Officer and carry out any other related duties, as assigned.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Minimum requirements: Completion of secondary school education and a post-secondary certificate in the relevant functional area.

Desired requirements: Advanced Diploma or undergraduate degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, international relations or other relevant field with additional years of work experience.

Experiences:

Minimum 5 years professional experience at a national or international level in public relations, communications, advocacy, marketing or related field.

Language: Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English language and a minimum of intermediate level knowledge in at least one local language which includes basic writing skills (for social media) and fluency in speaking and comprehension.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Basic knowledge of country context and local insights
• Excellent communication skills including writing skills (for public-facing content)
• Basic graphic design skills
• Basic photography and videography skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Basic budget management skills (for tracking communication-related expenses)
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office

To Apply:

Click ‘Apply’ to the link below to start the application process. Candidates are requested to create an account in WFP E-Recruitment system before applying.

Please also include your CV with a cover letter, highlighting your motivation and suitability for this vacancy, as part of an online application.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary and medical insurance.

Please visit https://www.wfp.org/countries/sri-lanka to learn more about WFP’s operations in Sri lanka.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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