Communication Officer (Fisheries)

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) works with Members and partners to transform aquatic systems and promote the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. Leaving no one behind.

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. Its main objective is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best use of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

To this end, the GFCM formulates and recommends appropriate measures and ensures these recommendations are implemented; coordinates efforts by countries to effectively manage fisheries and aquaculture; monitors the status of fishery resources and carries out scientific work to support advice and decision-making; coordinates and benefits from the support of projects and programmes at the regional and subregional levels to enhance scientific cooperation and capacity-building among its contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties.

To support these endeavours and fulfil its mandate, the GFCM collaborates, interacts, gathers and shares information with a wide network of national institutions, consortia and academia, international organizations, intergovernmental, non-governmental and civil society organizations, as well as experts and scientists. In this context and as its activities bring new projects, fields of work and an expanding organizational remit, new products and events need to be properly prepared and promoted. In addition, for its ambitious strategies to succeed, the GFCM needs to communicate effectively about its work and its impact to key audiences and stakeholders. Good communication can contribute to obtaining support and participation and securing cooperation between all stakeholders involved.

The post is located in the GFCM headquarters at Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193, Rome) and the incumbent is expected to provide expert support to the Executive Secretary and relevant staff of the GFCM Secretariat including its subregional technical units, transversally.

Reporting Lines

The Communication Officer (Fisheries) reports to the GFCM Executive Secretary and maintains regular contact with NFI, and the Office of Communications (OCC) via their NFI focal point, as well as other relevant FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres including FAO Regional, Subregional and Country Offices, as well as with the GFCM technical units, the GFCM contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties and GFCM partners.

Technical Focus

Supports the development and implementation of communications and outreach activities to enhance the visibility of the GFCM’s work and activities among its contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties, partners and donors and to generate impact through public relations, stakeholder engagement and internal and external communications, in line with the GFCM mandate, policies and priorities.

Key Results

Contribute to the development and strengthening of internal and external communications, multimedia production, web content, media relations and publishing activities of the Organization.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology-related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support internal and/or external communication.

•Produces/drafts a variety of information and reports, as well as inputs for communication-related documents, multimedia products, and online content.

•Devises, implements and monitors communications strategies and provides day-to-day support for strategic outputs.

•Designs and develops new media outlets/assets to increase brand visibility and maximize impact on communication platforms.

•Establishes, develops and maintains working relationships with key media organizations, journalists and other relevant strategic partners as part of external communication activities in order to raise the visibility.

•Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, and processes.

•Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates and coordinates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices as they relate to communications.

•Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

Specific Functions

•Supports the development and implementation of a result-driven communication strategy for the GFCM, as well as the preparation and dissemination of related communication products (articles, digital and media content, presentations, press releases etc.) and the development and use of related tools (website, social media, newsletter, etc.), in liaison as relevant with OCC Media Team and in line with OCC guidelines listed below, to support decision-making and bolster understanding of and engagement with GFCM objectives, actions and values, in consultation with relevant FAO and GFCM leadership and teams.

•Contributes to effective communication and outreach campaigns, in line with the GFCM communication strategy, to help best position the GFCM in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.

•Identifies success stories, facts and figures, as well as relevant opinion leaders and media contacts across the region.

•Serves as the communications focal point within the GFCM Secretariat and liaises regularly with other FAO Division/Offices/Centres and Regional Offices, GFCM technical units and external counterparts to promote the GFCM’s products and activities and foster engagement with the GFCM contracting parties and cooperating non-contracting parties, partners and relevant stakeholders across the region.

•Develops and coordinates communications and outreach at international fora and events organized by the GFCM and its partners.

•Evaluates the impacts of key communications and advocacy activities as part of the implementation of the GFCM’s communication strategy and campaigns, including through the compilation and analysis of communications key performance indicators.

•Designs tools, processes and guidelines to foment efficient collaboration within the GFCM Secretariat.

•Maintains relevant repositories and databases related to the GFCM’s communication, media, digital and video contents and other resources.

•Ensures the application of donors’ requirements in terms of communication and visibility, in collaboration with FAO’s Resource Mobilization Division (PSR).

•Ensures coherence with FAO’s corporate communications policies and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs (see below).

•Works in close coordination with FAO’s Office of Communications (OCC) via their NFI focal point and Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) to align strategies and maintain synergies.

•Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•Advanced university degree incommunication, international relations, social science, journalism, political science or a related field.

•Five years of relevant experience incommunications and/or outreach in international organizations or in private enterprises.

•Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, particularly in field positions.

•Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience of the work and functioning of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) is considered a strong asset.

•Extent and relevance of experience in supporting the development of sound communication strategies and generating result-driven communications content.

•Extent and relevance of experience in supporting large-scale conferences or meetings and coordinating communication, visibility and outreach strategies within the framework of intergovernmental meetings, governing body sessions and major events.

•Extent and relevance of experience in preparing high-quality and compelling communications materials and adapting narratives to a wide variety of audiences in relation to the GFCM’s fields of activities (fisheries, aquaculture, compliance, etc.)

•Depth of familiarity with FAO strategies and processes supporting communications and outreach.

•Extent and relevance of experience in effectively adapting communications and narratives to a variety of audiences.

•Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French is considered a strong asset.

All communication materials, where appropriate, will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:

FAO guidance on communicating the four betters for the 2030 agenda (available to staff).

FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/9eb94d2d-094c-430a-86af-b4e6c3a64b61/content/cb8081en.html;

FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm;

FAO Names of Countries: https://www.fao.org/nocs/en;

FAO web policy AC_2024-10.pdf (fao.org)

UN map standards, FAO branding guidelines, Social Media Policy, Storytelling guidelines, and others (available to staff).

Further guidance is available on the OCC Intranet area.