Communication & Knowledge Management Assistant

VA NO. FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/44-2019

Functional Title:

Communication & Knowledge Management Assistant

Type of Contract:

National Project Personnel /Service Contract (NPP/SC)

Grade / Level:

SB-3

Number of Post (s):

1 (One)

Duration:

12 (twelve) Months

Extendable / Renewable:

Extendable, Based on Satisfactory Performance & Budget Availability

Probationary Period:

Initial 3 Months

Project / Programme / Unit: 

Strengthening Afghanistan Institutions’ capacity for the Assessment of Agriculture Production and Scenario Development

Duty Station:

Kabul - With Frequent Domestic Field Missions

Sub – Station:

Nil

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Setting:

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger, food security and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, livestock, animal health, and irrigation and forestry sectors as well as emergency preparedness and response to conflict and natural affected events. The activities of the FAO Representation include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives and active public awareness raising and outreach activities related to the mandate of FAO.

FAO assistance in Afghanistan achieves its objectives through capacity development and direct project implementation in four specific areas of FAO’s technical expertise: 

• Better governance through improved capacity for policy planning, land reform, decentralization, and management of common natural resources; 
• Fostering expansion of irrigation and field water management;
• Intensive agriculture for surplus commercialization, value chains development, and job creation; and
• Supporting vulnerable farmers for improved food & nutrition security, resilience, and emergency response to natural and man-made disasters and climate change.

Project Background:

The overall goal of the project is to improve monitoring and analysis of agricultural production systems to support agricultural policies and food security in the country. The project’s objectives are: i) to improve monitoring and analysis of agricultural production systems; ii) to develop/strengthen land resources information management systems (LRIMS) and National Agro-Ecological Zoning (NAEZ) and iii) enhance the capacity at national and provincial levels for collection, monitoring, analysis and dissemination of agriculture information based on integration of remotely-sensed data and technology for decision-making to support agricultural policies and food security in the country.

Purpose of this vacancy announcement:

FAO is looking for qualified national staff fill the position of National Communication & Knowledge Management Assistant. This position will support the work of the EU-funded “Strengthening Afghanistan Institutions capacity for the assessment of agriculture production and scenario development” project. The post is located in Kabul with frequent travel to provinces.

Key Result:

The project activities are implemented successfully, timely and effectively in conformity with the objectives of the project.

Reporting Lines / Supervision Received/Exercised:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan and the direct supervision of National Team Leader, and technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), and in close collaboration with the relevant staff in FAO Afghanistan and counterpart entities, the Communication & Knowledge Management Assistant the incumbent will carry out the following tasks;

Key Functions/Results:

• Undertake the responsibility of all communication and knowledge management related tasks of the project;
• Assist in organizing the press conference to introduce the project for journalists, local institutions, stakeholders, local NGOs, academic research organizations and private sector involved in agriculture production;
• Design, print and distribute the press folders to relevant stakeholders, to provide basic information (a press folder could include: a paper press release, a leaflet, a branded gadget);
• Developing and dissemination of news through the official Web sites of the European Union, FAO, government stakeholders and Global Agro-Ecological Zones (GAEZ).
• Developments and publication of periodic press releases, for local media (magazines, television radio), to inform the target groups of the country;
• Develop, disseminate and share periodic newsletters, to a mailing list of local and international institutions, organizations, donors involved in cooperation and the opinion of farmers and sharing through social media and through the official Websites of the European Union, FAO, Government stakeholders and GAEZ;
• Production of video materials, including interviews of satisfied beneficiaries to be shared with media, on the FAO Web site and with others such as FAO YouTube, the national media and/or European media;
• Invitation of national media and/or European media to meet beneficiaries at work;
• Capture, document, analyses and report information/activities of the program trainings and events;
• Plan field visits to targeted project areas on a timely basis to gather the information and results related to the project for reporting in multiple forms including written documents, audio and video visual documentaries etc.;
• Support all components of the projects in terms of producing and documenting all activities reports and visibility materials in accordance with the organization regulation and resource partner requirements;
• Assist Project Manager and staff in preparing ad-hoc,  six-monthly and annual progress reports;
• Prepare and edit success stories, good practices, and other publishing materials which are related to project progress and success considering the procedures of the Organization and requirement of resource partner;
• Coordinate with FAO communication team in FAOR, Kabul to standardize communication and publication materials such as brochure, pamphlets, flex boards, banners, batches, PowerPoints slides, booklets, press releases etc.
• Launching of Story Map to share general information and Web Atlas to disseminate the project results of National Agro-Ecological Zones (NAEZ) monitoring in Afghanistan (statistics and projection on yield production);
• Develop and distribution to the participants of a multipage brochure that collects all project information from start to finish;
• Final event and press conference to introduce the results of the project – for journalists, local institutions, stakeholders, local NGO’s, academic research organizations, private sector involved in agriculture production and European Union/FAO Representations;

Other Activities:

• Perform any other duties as required by the National Team Leader and FAO management.  

Expected Outputs:

• Press conferences/events;
• Three or four press releases (for magazines, TV and radio broadcast);
• Four newsletters every year;
• Develop success story of the project
• Social media and Web site sharing;
• Press folders, leaflets and brochures;
• Branded gadgets (to define);
• Panels or posters;
• Web apps (‘StoryMap’ and ‘Web Atlas’)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (TECHNICAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATION)

Education:

• University degree in Journalism, Mass Media Communication, Knowledge Management, Literature, Graphics Design or relevant fields from a recognized university;

Work Experience:

• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience in journalism, media and communication, public relation, and knowledge management with UN and international organizations, embassies, donor-funded projects or Government of Afghanistan in a multi-cultural offices environment is required. 
• Experience in project visibility and Graphics design
• Experience with donor funded projects, Government of Afghanistan and UN agencies will be an added advantage;

Other Desirable Skills:

• Experience in multi stakeholder analysis, and in mobilizing or creating awareness about development projects;
• Excellent interpersonal communication and coordination skills, and proven ability to work constructively with a variety of stake holders to achieve common goals;
• Good knowledge of protocol, good judgment and initiative
• Good knowledge of corporate information systems
• Good data analysis skills and interpretation of data;
• Strong computer skills, in especially all MS Office applications and basic internet search engines or other relevant online tools;
• Familiarity with UN agencies procedures for project implementation.

Language Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of English and local languages, both spoken and written skills.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Core competencies: FAO core competencies include: Understanding FAO’s mandate & its global context; planning, organizing, and delivering quality results; communicating to build understanding & support; working together in teams and partnerships; engaging in continuous learning.
• Operational Effectiveness: Working independently, structuring tasks, establishing priorities and adhering to deadlines. Show a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Contribute ideas and suggestions for process improvement.
• Client Orientation: Focus on results for the client. Attend to inquiries from internal and external clients in an effective, timely and courteous manner. Treat clients with courtesy and respect even when working under pressure. Express a high level of professionalism.
• Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork: Work effectively and efficiently with staff at all levels, listen to others and openly share own ideas. Express sensitivity, cultural empathy and respect for diversity. Productively handle differing views and opinions and strive for achievement of shared goals. Respond positively to feedback.

REMUNERATION:

• The remuneration for the post of Communication & Knowledge Management Assistant is USD 1,214 (SB-3, Step 1) monthly based on the qualification and experience of the candidate.
• The selected candidate will also receive 8.33% of monthly salary as pension benefit/coverage on a monthly basis.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE:

Interested Afghan nationals should complete the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) and submit it along with their application letter and CV to the email address below, clearly mentioning the vacancy number and post title (Communication & Knowledge Management Assistant – FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/44-2019) in the subject line of the email, otherwise your email will not be considered. Please send to:

FAOAF-vacancies@fao.org

NOTE: Applicants who fail to attach the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) their Application will not be considered.

The above required documents can also be submitted in hard copy (in a sealed envelope, marked “Confidential” and clearly indicating the Vacancy Announcement number and position title) to: The Assistant FAO Representative (Administration), FAO Representation Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Jamal Mina, Opposite Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan.

The FAO PH Form can be downloaded using the following link:

http://www.acbar.org/applicationform

The last date for receiving applications is 19 November 2019. Please note that applications received after closing date will not be considered. Only short listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for a test/interview.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce gender diversity;
• People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply;
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality;
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization;
• Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO NSHR Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station inside the country;
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
• Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing);
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview/test;  
• Application received after closing date will not be given consideration;
• Please make sure to sign the first page of your PHF (Personal History Form) while applying for the vacant post;
• Do not forget to write the post title and VA number on subject of your email;  
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments;
• Email will only be sent to the interviewed candidates;