Job Detail

Job Description

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and the direct supervision of the Head of Communications, Strategy and Resource Mobilization Unit, as well as in consultation with FAO staff and relevant stakeholders in Afghanistan.

Technical Focus

The Media Specialist will support the development of outreach and advocacy tools and materials in local languages, enhance media and public relations, and undertake social media activities in line with FAO Afghanistan’s communications strategy.

Duties & Responsibilities

Media relations

• Foster and maintain media relations with key Afghan media outlets and journalists to help raise FAO’s profile and visibility.
• Develop coproductions with Afghan media, including radio, television and social media channels.
• Facilitate media interviews with the FAO Representative and other FAO personnel.
• Pitch press releases, stories and op-eds to relevant Afghan media.
• Conduct media monitoring and prepare media coverage reports on specific issues, when requested.
• Update the media contact list regularly.

Public liaison

• Develop effective working relationships and agreements with national stakeholders, including civil society organizations and public institutions (such as academia) active in FAO’s sectors of activities.
• Consult with FAO team leaders in Kabul and the provinces on a regular basis for updated information and guidance on strategic communication objectives.
• Work closely with partners such as printers to ensure good communication products. Perform any other related duties or functions as assigned by the supervisor.

Communications

• Translate materials into Dari and Pashto and edit translations made by other FAO staff upon request
• Conduct terminology research to ensure accurate and appropriate translations and coherence.
• Collect information from the field on agriculture, food security, environment, irrigation, the rural economy etc. to generate case studies, lesson learned reports and social media content. 
• Collect, review, write and translate social media posts, particularly for the FAO-AF Facebook page.
• Prepare a monthly social media content calendar with innovative and issue-focused content.
• Participate in the development of communications plans for campaigns or key events like The World Food Day, World Food Safety Day, the Year of the Camelids etc.
• Ensure that all communication products (brochure, newsletter, banners, publications) comply with global FAO standards.

Liaison with the 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.

Skills Required

• Communication Skills
• Fluency in a local language

Submission Guideline:

• 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;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
• 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 contact: Careers@fao.org

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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