Communications Officer

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme is the leading humanitarian agency saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.

WFP’s Innovation and Knowledge Management Division aims to identify, support and scale innovations in WFP; help the organisation identify and manage strategic change initiatives effectively

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Communications Officer Consultant, reporting to the Director INK and in close coordination with the Communications, Advocacy and Marketing Division (CAM), is expected to:

1. Further define and implement the division’s communications framework, in order to maintain and enhance visibility for WFP innovation, and support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with WFP’s corporate strategy;
2. Coordinate and oversee internal and external communications for the division across all two offices (Rome and Munich), providing strategic communications advisory and support to INK's units on key initiatives that serve to promote a culture of innovation in WFP and across the UN system, help WFP manage change
3. Ensure effective design and delivery of communications products that effectively convey the desired messages around innovative solutions for zero hunger and global change initiatives to targeted audiences including WFP staff, other UN agencies, start-ups and tech companies;
4. Ensure a high level of consistency and accuracy, while adapting and updating content for this wide variety of audiences, on statements, newsletters, presentations, website content, briefings, articles, talking points, key messages and other written communications and campaigns for the division;
5. Coordinate engagement in international events positioning WFP’s expertise in innovation and change management, shaping agendas to include divisional priorities, influencing dialogue on the future of innovation for the SDGs and providing strategic communications advisory and support on key initiatives managed by the division including innovation bootcamps;
6. Act as a media focal point for the division raising the profile of WFP innovations coordinating with the division’s units, WFP communications officers, and external media, overseeing a contact list of journalists and media outlets, ensuring a regular flow of news about WFP’s work in this area, and identifying reputational risks;
7. Oversee media monitoring data, identifying trends and issues, presenting recommendations and influencing the division’s management to improve effectiveness of communications strategies;
8. Plan and deliver internal communications so staff can engage with WFP’s strategy around building a network of innovators contributing ideas and solutions for zero hunger;
9. Ensure capacity building across the INK division on all aspects of external relations and communications, facilitate appropriate training, and provide advice up the senior management level in order to ensure consistent, quality communications;
10. Collaborate with counterparts in WFP and the Communication teams from other branches to facilitate an aligned and consistent approach to communication and information;
11. Support the division's efforts building up communication capacity and best-practice sharing across the organization;
12. Assist the Director of Innovation and Knowledge Management especially when having to interact when German speaking stakeholders being the major bilateral doners to INK.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• A common communication framework is established, ensuring the branches within the division are aligned to it;
• Communication trends monitored and media contacts managed;
• Deliver external and internal communication in line with Director and Division plans
• Participation to key events is supported.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Deadline for application: 15 October 2022

Ref.: VA No. 174464

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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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