Communications Officer at World Food Programme (WFP)

The World Food Programme is the food assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. WFP is part of the United Nations system and is voluntarily funded. Born in 1961, WFP pursues a vision of the world in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life. We work towards that vision with our sister UN agencies in Rome -- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) -- as well as other government, UN and NGO partners. On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 82 countries each year. 11,367 people work for the organization, most of them in remote areas, directly serving the hungry poor. To learn more, watch the video outlining our mission, read our Mission Statement and our 2013 Annual Performance Report or download the Infographic.

ABOUT THE JOB AT WFP

The job holder will work with a high degree of independence using technical knowledge and experience to plan and implement communication and media strategies, provide advice and solutions to problems, and deliver high-quality communications products.
The role reports to the Head of the function with the support from the Regional Communications Officer, to ensure that the Country Office (CO) communications activities serve WFP needs in the country assignment, taking into consideration the overall regional communications plan and WFP’s corporate communications goals.

Our mission, Saving Lives, Changing Lives drives us towards reaching zero hunger. Our values and behaviors represent how we work to accomplish this.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Develop, maintain and update an appropriate communications strategy and work plan, which implements the corporate communications strategy, to build and expand the brand and reputation of WFP, and support fundraising activities.
• Track and analyze traditional and online media, to identify trends and/or issues, and propose solutions and ideas to improve the effectiveness of communication strategy and activities.
• Write core communication products that effectively convey the desired messages to targeted audience(s) – field stories, media messages, news and press releases, speeches, op-eds.
• Plan and deliver communication campaigns that favorably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders, Nigerian government and donors to increase support for WFP and create an enabling environment for fundraising.
• Actively seek opportunities to generate news and media attention about WFP’s
• operation and the issues relating to food security and Zero Hunger. Pursue interviews with national and international media news agencies covering television, print, radio and digital media. Develop strong working relationships with news agencies covering Nigeria.
• Maintain and develop a contact list of journalists and news agencies.
• Manage the flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, ensuring reputational risks are identified and managed.
• Generate and/or facilitate the production of donor specific visibility content including, text, photos, and videos for use across a range of platforms to support global and country fundraising activities.
• Coordinate and prepare accurate and timely reporting on communications activities that enables informed decision-making, evaluation of objectives and consistency of information.
• Build capacity of WFP staff on all aspects of external relations, providing advice, guidance and training to ensure consistent, quality communications activities that deliver the desired impact.
• Work in close collaboration with UN, news, and media partners to build national awareness and support for food security and Zero Hunger.
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of communications specific risks.
• Manage digital and social media platforms used for official purposes with approved content, in coordination with the Supervisor. Maintain a social media calendar and content plans; develop content themes according to the calendar; ensure key deadlines are met for the dissemination of time-sensitive content. Identify key brand-building moments to engage audiences and create authentic and positive interaction with followers.
• Others as required, including contribution to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPRP), Annual Performance Plans (APP) and Risk Mitigations among others.

EDUCATION, DESIRED EXPERIENCES, STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS: FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
• A minimum of five years of practical professional (managerial) work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media. International and national work experience including field work experience. Experience in utilizing specialist communications techniques to enhance functional outputs.
• Demonstrated leadership in managed small teams with related areas of expertise in the delivery of innovative communications projects.
• Demonstrated success in planning and implementing social media campaigns to achieve advocacy goals.
• Ability to translate technical and nuanced information into clear, emotional, and engaging content for broad public audiences.
• Experience in overseeing the development and implementation of social media videos and wider digital strategies. Experience of optimizing video content in these platforms.
• High level of analytical skills, excellent writing skills, communication campaign, Corporate Communications Strategy, Digital Media and ability and experience in the role of a spokesperson.
• Fluency (level C) in English language and Fluency (level C) and the languages of the duty stations. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) is an added advantage.
• Background/familiarity with Humanitarian operations

Method of Application

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