Communications Officer, P3

Position description

This position reports to the Country Director, with functional supervision from the Regional Communications Officer, to ensure that the communications activities of the Country Office align with WFP’s needs in the country of assignment. The role will also consider the regional communications plan and WFP’s corporate communications goals.

JOB PURPOSE:

To develop, plan, and implement communications activities that support the overall communications strategy and WFP objectives.

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

• Develop, maintain, and update an appropriate work plan for the assigned area, which implements the corporate communications strategy, to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP, and support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with WFP strategy.
• Plan, manage and evaluate communications campaigns that favorably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders and donors to raise WFP’s profile and support fundraising activities.
• Prepare communications products that effectively convey the desired message to the targeted audience(s).
• Maintain and develop a contact list of journalists and media outlets and manage the regular flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, ensuring reputational risks are identified and managed.
• Define a social media plan for the assigned area that leverages social media content, platforms, networks, and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.
• Generate and/or facilitate the production of donor-specific visibility content including, text, photos, videos, and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support global and country fundraising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.
• 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
• Manage junior communications officers/team, develop work plans, monitor performance against objectives, and ensure appropriate development to enable high performance.
• Coordinate and prepare accurate and timely reporting on communications activities that enable informed decision-making, evaluation of objectives, and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Build capacity of WFP staff on all aspects of external relations communication, providing advice, guidance, and training to ensure consistent, quality communications activities that deliver the desired impact.
• Work in close collaboration with counterparts to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to communications within WFP.
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance, and monitoring the management of communications-specific risks.
• Other as required.

Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced University degree in a relevant subject such as Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or others, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant progressively responsible experience of professional experience in communication, media, or public information.
• Able to draft neutral, transparent, and context-appropriate messaging during crises or conflicts.
• Experience working in complex emergency settings with access constraints, including for media.
• Able to build strong relationships with national government communication offices to coordinate communications, especially in challenging humanitarian contexts.
• Previous experience in successfully developing and implementing communication strategies that highlight the humanitarian-development nexus, showcasing partnerships with communities and the impact of humanitarian assistance.
• A strong background in developing narratives and stories that emphasize local innovation, resourcefulness, resilience-building, and community-driven solutions to challenges.
• Proven capacity to coordinate community engagement in contexts of challenging humanitarian access, including experience in building networks with local media and community radio stations.

Language:

• Fluency in both French and English

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Strong expertise in developing and implementing communication strategies for complex humanitarian and development contexts.
• Advanced understanding of traditional and digital media landscapes, with proven experience in leveraging social media platforms for effective communication.
• Proficiency in content creation, including writing, editing, photography, videography, and multimedia production.
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams and work collaboratively across diverse departments and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Analytical skills to assess media trends, measure communication impact, and recommend actionable improvements.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to operate effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and media representatives.

Application instructions

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