Job Description
2303767
Project Assistant (Communications)
Job Posting
: 11/Dec/2023
Closure Date
: 26/Dec/2023, 12:59:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FRZAM – FAO Representation in Zambia
Job Type
: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location
: Zambia-Lusaka
Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Under the SIFAZ (GCP/ZAM/080/EC) project, FAO in Zambia has collaborated with the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) to implement a 7.5-year program on Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ). The project focuses on scaling up of sustainable food production and building resilience of food systems by smallholder farmers with an additional focus on climate change mitigation measures through building demonstrable synergies between research and promotion of appropriate sustainable agriculture intensification practices.
As part of the activities for the SIFAZ project, adaptive research, agribusiness, and agronomy strategies are put in place to establish economically viable, cost effective and cooperative based business models and transfer knowledge and skills on SIPs to sustainably allow smallholder farmers adoption and continued practicing of the SIPs. Specifically, the research, agribusiness, and agronomy strategies of the SIFAZ project will achieve the following:
• To facilitate organization of smallholder farmers into baby and mother farm level trails for testing socio-economic and agronomic performance of sustainable intensification practices technology packages.
• To facilitate organization of smallholder farmers into effective groups that can effectively participate in selected farming value chains for selected crops and agriculturally based enterprises.
• To facilitate smallholder farmer and community level availability and access to critical inputs for ensuring farmer practice of recommended SIP packages, reduction of yield gaps and climate change mitigation.
• To facilitate effective partnerships between smallholder farmer groups and small to medium enterprises that undertake mechanization equipment and services input and output marketing for selected crops and services by smallholder farmers.
• To facilitate smallholder farmers adoption of SIPs for sustainable intensification of crop production whilst at the same time improve and preserve the natural resource base.
Reporting Lines
The Project Assistant – Graphic design, Infographics, photography, social media will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Zambia and the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for the SIFAZ Project. They will directly report to Programme Specialist – Communication and Reports. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with implementing partners from Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), NGOs, private sector, and relevant FAO technical units in FAO Zambia.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will support preparation of work plans for the communication and visibility activities under the project, and support routine solicitation and collation of communication and visibility content from the project technical teams. In addition, the incumbent will support in the preparation of graphic designs, infographics, photography, social media content on the project.
Key Results
• Support graphic designs, infographics, photography and social media content on the project in line with the project communication and visibility strategy
Tasks and responibilities
The Project Assistant – Graphic design, infographics, photography, social media) will support implementation of the SIFAZ communication and visibility strategy. Specifically, the incumbents will undertake the following activities:
• Support graphic designing, infographics production, photography, social media content development for the project communication and visibility materials. This will also include branding of electronic and print media content produced under the project.
• Support timely and up-to-date compilation of information on the project progress and results into communication and visibility products. This will include supporting compiling, organizing, analysing, and preparing data for ad hoc reports, fact sheets, resource partner reports, briefing notes, and other reporting and communication products as per the program communication and visibility strategy.
• Support resource and implementing partner relations by contributing to the production of various communication products and accompanying partners during the field visits in coordination with other program colleagues.
• Support proactive identification of media opportunities and, in close liaison with program resource and implementation partners, support planning and implementation of media events including press releases, report launches and press conferences. This includes management of social media channels to publicize and highlight purpose, progress, and results of the project.
• Support the FAO communication and visibility team in production of monthly situation reports, concept notes to resource partners and updates related to food security and agriculture situation in the country. This includes ensuring that SIFAZ achievements and lessons learnt are integrated in the overall FAO situations and concept notes.
• Support the improvement of information and knowledge management systems in the program by ensuring adequate and frequent updates, access and standardization of program information and agricultural situation analysis in the country. This includes undertaking field visits to gather information on activities and results related to the program and ensuring that all data from the field is captured, documented, and reported in a timely manner for resource partner and internal purposes.
• Support travel arrangements for communication and visibility implementing partners to any of the communication and visibility events under the project; preparation of travel requests, travel expense claims, payment requests, and other travel-related documents and processes.
• Ensure that all products to be disseminated via the FAO document repository are timely processed through the corporate Publications Workflow System (PWS), from their planning to production and dissemination.
• Liaison with the Office of Communication (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: www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf; Spanish: www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf; Arabic: www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf; Chinese: www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf);
FAO terminology www.fao.org/faoterm;
FAO Names Of Countries www.fao.org/nocs/en;
Story guidelines intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf;
Story template 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.
• Work in constant contact with the Publishing Group at FAO and ensure that all corporate publishing standards are adhered to in publications and documents.
• Perform any other related duties, as required for successful execution of SIFAZ activities in the communication and visibility of the project.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Technical diploma in communications – graphic design, infographics, photography, etc. or any other relevant qualification related to the FAO mandate.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in graphic design, infographics, photography, and social media management.
• Working knowledge of English and possession of relevant computer/word-processing skills
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset; and familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.
• Good knowledge of community level communications channels such as local radio and brochures in local languages.
• Knowledge of videography, TV production, social media usage and other digital tools.
• Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
Selection Criteria
Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word-processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Candidates will be assessed against the following:
• Extent and relevance of experience in graphic design, infographics, photography, and social media management.
• Extent and relevance of experience working with private sector, NGOs, academic and government institutions in graphic design, infographics, photography, and social media management.
• Level of communication skills, good writing skills including ability to write concise technical reports in English is a strong asset.
• Possession of relevant experience in short video and film production is a very strong asset.
• Familiarity with FAO and UN (in general) administrative, operational, and financial procedures is an asset.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
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 www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• 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
• 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.
Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here
Closing Date : 26th December, 2023.
