This position is located in FAO Representation to Lesotho, based in Maseru. 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.
Reporting Lines
The Communications Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Lesotho and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (programme).
Technical Focus
Communications Specialist shall develop and deliver the FAO Lesotho communication strategy, ensuring coherence with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines as developed by the Office of Corporate Communications. The Communications Specialist will work with team members to review and update the Communications positioning plan; consult with SFS and RAF Communication Team and provide feedback on communication initiatives for the country office.
Tasks and responsibilities
Collect, synthesize and package information; including production, editing of human-interest stories, press releases, web stories and lead in the production of communication products;
Edit texts of a specialized or technical nature in order to ensure accuracy, clarity, cohesion and conformity with FAO house-style English, policy and practice;
Cultivate relations with the media, organise and facilitate media coverage for events, guide media engagement for the country project team, project staff and stakeholders to achieve country programme objectives;
Represent FAO in the Communications Technical Groups and ensuring that FAO areas of programmatic focus are reflected;
Liaise with several communication service providers for production of material including; visibility materials, publications, photography, audio-visual production, editors, etc.;
Monitor and analyse current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses;
Regularly produce communication productions i.e. project publications, website updates, booklets, leaflets; brochures, clips and photo-library
Assist in organising projects functions, workshops, meetings, donor and partner field trips, briefings etc.
Maintain online social presence of project activities including website updating, Twitter and Facebook,
Maintain database of all project partners, stakeholders and networks.
Update and maintain contents related to project activities on the country/regional websites and social media/Twitter.
Liaise and coordinate with country and regional communication officers.
Produce press releases related to the project.
Collect and archive photos to be used in feature stories.
Contribute to communications related activities
Perform other related duties, including the direct implementation of some technical activities, as required.
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.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following
Minimum Requirements
Advanced University degree in Communications, Media Studies or related field, or equivalent work experience in the field of communication combined with university degree in related discipline
A minimum of 5 years of progressive responsible experience in Development Communications, in the area of agriculture or related field
Working knowledge (level C) of English.
National of Lesotho.
Technical/Functional Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English for various audiences.
Experience in drafting/editing a variety of public information documents/ products/infographics/brochures
