CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization
Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 24 Oct 2014

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in South Sudan, the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, Agriculture and Food Information System for Decision Support (AFIS) Project and the technical backstopping of the Lead Technical Unit (ESA), the incumbent will assist the AFIS Programme Support Unit in the area of communications for policy. This implies close consultation and partnership development with relevant ministries and key players in South Sudan, including the Food Security Council Secretariat, UN agencies (mainly, WFP, UNICEF, OCHA), the National Bureau of Statistics (Food Security Technical Secretariat, Livelihood Analysis Forum), NGOs, Food Security and Livelihood Cluster, Nutrition Cluster, and other knowledge based institutions. The multi-stakeholder nature of food security coordination, policy development and capacity building requires strong skills in communications in challenging environments and organization of dialogue in politically loaded contexts.

In general, the Communications for Policy Officer will assist in the coordination and implementation of activities related to Output 3 of the AFIS Project: “Governmental validation mechanisms and policy capacities for decision making enhanced.”

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

· Assist in the promotion of the evidence-based policy component of the AFIS Project through the communication strategy, aimed at both decision support and institutional capacity building. This includes:

· Lead the implementation and monitoring of the AFIS communication strategy, in close consultation with the Project Team;

· Contribute to the AFIS engagement with humanitarian coordination and development decision making platforms – in particular the Humanitarian Country Team, the Inter-Cluster Working Group, the Food Security & Livelihoods and Nutrition Clusters, and relevant GRSS/Development Partners fora;

· Support and facilitate the development of mechanisms/products to improve the flow from food security and nutrition information to policy recommendations - and related communications and media activities;

· Working closely with the AFIS team and partners, contribute to the project activities related to the dissemination of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and other information outputs, including audio-visuals and webpages;

· Working closely with the AFIS team and partners, contribute to the research, production and dissemination of discussion papers on selected topics, for submission to the AFIS Policy Fora and other inter-stakeholder consultations;

· Perform other duties as required.

Required Competencies

Education

Advanced Degree in Social Science, Economics, Communications or related field

Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements

· Advanced level of competence in media and communication

· Full confidence and clarity in oral and written communication skills

· Strong skills in communication and organization of dialogue

· Communicating to build understanding and support

· Working together in teams and partnerships

· Planning, organizing and delivering quality results in challenging environments

· Understanding donor/implementing partner relations

Work Experience:

· Experience with writing articles, papers and proposals

· Experience with webpage design and audio/video production

· At least 2 years with international organizations

· Meeting facilitation and organization

· Field experience with coordination platforms in politically loaded contexts is an asset

Languages:

· English

Selection Criteria

· Experience with communications and media

· Understanding of political economy and conflict issues

· Understanding of the linkage between information and policy

· Engaging in continuous learning

How to apply:

Interested applicants are required to create an online Personal Profile form (PPF) in iRecruitment. To create the PPF, please follow the instructions available at: http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/

The PPF should be sent via e-mail to : VA-FAOSS-2014@fao.org

Deadline for application: 24 of October 2014

Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.