Advisor – Strategic Communications

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 Office of Communications (OCC) leads FAO’s corporate and internal communication efforts. It ensures consistency in messaging, promotes cost-effective communication strategies, and supports the Organization’s visibility and outreach goals.

This announcement aims to identify and vet qualified candidates for inclusion in a roster of communications consultants. Inclusion on the roster does not guarantee employment but allows shortlisted candidates to be considered for future assignments over the next three years.

Reporting Lines

The Advisor reports to the Directors of the Office of Communications (OCC) and works closely with OCC teams, technical divisions, regional offices, and country offices.

Technical Focus

Communication is at the heart of the Food and Agriculture Organization mission, supporting advocacy, knowledge dissemination, and stakeholder engagement at national, regional, and global levels. FAO is undergoing a strategic shift toward audience-led, data-driven communications to enhance impact and efficiency across its decentralized offices.

In this context, the Advisor – Strategic Communications will champion the shift towards strategic, audience-led and data-driven approaches aligned with FAO’s institutional goals and the four betters and with a strong focus on establishing systems, processes and capacity to deliver high-impact campaigns.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Advisor will play a central role in advancing FAO’s communications strategy and will:

· Build and put in place the systems, processes and capacity for OCC and FAO to deliver audience-led, data-driven global campaigns and international advocacy initiatives supporting institutional objectives including resource mobilization, knowledge uptake, and advocacy goals.
· Take a central role in the launch of high-profile, multi-year campaigns focused on resource mobilization, knowledge and key advocacy positions.
· Drive digital and AI transformation by deploying shared digital tools, AI-assisted workflows, content analytics, and reporting dashboards to support coordinated global campaign delivery and efficient and effective communications.
· Guide the integration of appropriate systems to enable targeted outreach, segmentation, and performance tracking for global audiences and partners. Develop audience segmentation models to strengthen targeting across FAO priorities and global stakeholder groups.
· Generate and apply audience insights, including qualitative and quantitative research, to inform campaign strategy, messaging, channel selection, and continuous optimization across global communications initiatives.
· Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess campaign performance, user engagement, and ROI for major global communication initiatives.
· Support capacity building across FAO’s communications network, through training, tools, and best-practice guidance to strengthen campaign delivery, including across regional and country offices. Contribute to cross-organizational collaboration to ensure coherence between corporate, regional, and country-level communications around flagship global campaigns and international moments.
· Work with the OCC’s Global and Technical Coordination branch (OCCGD) to establish feedback loops with technical divisions, regions and country offices ensuring local insights and content inform global communications strategies.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in communications, marketing, public relations, international relations, or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
· At least 10 years of relevant experience in multi-channel campaigns, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy.
· Working knowledge of English (proficiency level C).

FAO Core Competencies
· Results Focus
· Teamwork
· Communication
· Building Effective Relationships
· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

· Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing audience-led, data-driven global communications campaigns, including multi-channel campaign architecture, audience segmentation, and performance optimization.
· Proven ability to design and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including KPIs, ROI measurement, and reporting dashboards for large-scale communications initiatives.
· Strong command of digital communications tools and platforms, including content management systems, social media management tools, email marketing platforms, and campaign analytics tools.
· Experience deploying AI-assisted workflows and content analytics to improve communications efficiency, content production, and audience targeting.
· Experience designing and delivering capacity-building programmes, including training, toolkits, and best-practice guidance for geographically dispersed communications networks.

Selection Criteria

· Proven expertise in data-driven communications, digital platform oversight, and capacity building.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multicultural, multilingual environment.
· Preferred experience includes: audience-led communications campaigns, data-driven impact evaluation, capacity building.
· Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
· Proactively looking for ways to improve workflows and team efficiencies, and deadline oriented.
· Self-sufficient, accountable and able to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
· Strong attention to detail, critical thinker, strong work ethic, and positive attitude while routinely exercising sound judgment.
· Awareness of ethical and sensitive issues in the context of data and communications. Ability to handle assets that contain confidential information.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain processes and train colleagues.