National Communication & Knowledge Management Officer

About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Job Summary

Organization Settings:
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. 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.

The position is in FAO project in Herat – Afghanistan with frequent travels to other project locations in the country.

Project Background:
Project goal is to promote inclusive growth and job creation in the agricultural sector by strengthening the capabilities of producers and private enterprises to effectively link Afghan farmers to domestic and international
markets. The basic premise is that agricultural-led economic growth is the key to improving food security, rural poverty reduction and agribusiness development.

This will be achieved through a value chain (VC) approach. The project will invest in improving productivity and facilitation of the development of wheat, high value crops and livestock value chains as well as enhancing the capacity of P/DAIL (Provincial / District Agriculture, irrigation and Livestock Department) in sustainable value chain development.

The focus of the project is on developing the demand for local agribusiness, enterprises and input and service providers, and enhancing their capacity so that the VC is improved, more efficient and more profitable and hence
sustainable. Using a VC approach the programme has been designed to overcome constraints to business performance and corresponding sales/turnover of agribusinesses. This will also lessen the government’s dependency on foreign aid through local private sector growth and investments.

Involvement of the private sector will include developing and supporting market access for both domestic and
export markets and will build on past successes of USAID and FAO/PAIL in the region. Interventions will leverage
public and private sector investments already made in the country’s western provinces.


Purpose of this Vacancy Announcement:
FAO is looking for qualified national staff fill the position of National Communication & Knowledge Management Officer. This position will support the work of the USAID-funded project “Promoting Value Chains-Western Region of Afghanistan”. The post is located in Herat with frequent travel to other project locations.

Impact of Work:
Support FAO and PAIL/DAIL technically in regular communication and knowledge Management aspects of projects in order to check and verify the results against targets in the targeted project sites. He/she will facilitate to ensure project communication and visibility plan, gather information, visibility materials, involvement in producing project documents and other communication and knowledge management aspects in close collaboration with FAO, PAIL/DAIL and other stakeholders to properly execute the project implementation in western region of Afghanistan.

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

Key Objectives:
The project activities are implemented successfully, timely and effectively and conform to the objectives of the project. The incumbent is responsible for developing her/his work plan upon joining.

Reporting Lines / Supervision Received/Exercised:
The National Communication & Knowledge Management Officer will be under overall supervision of the FAO Representative/Country Director in Afghanistan and directly report to the International Project Manager/Team Leader. On technical aspects s/he should consult with the National Project Manager of the project and Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Bangkok, Thailand. Further s/he maintain in close cooperation with project staff, FAO Representation Units and the counterpart MAIL (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock) and PAIL (Provincial Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock in Herat, Badghis and Nimrooz) authorities. The National Communication & Knowledge Management Officer will be responsible for the following tasks and responsibilities:

Duties & Responsibilities

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Undertake the responsibility of all communication and knowledge management related tasks of the project;
Capture, document, analyze and report information/activities from different PVCW interventions in line with the work plan considering the M&E defined procedures;
Ensure that communications, visibility and knowledge management is well observed within the project working areas;
Develop, implement and monitor a project communication and visibility plan to facilitate better understanding among PVCW stakeholders in accordance to FAO guidelines and resource partner requirements;
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 visual documentaries ect.
Supervise and 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, International M&E Officer, NPM & National M&E Officer for preparing high quality quarterly, six-monthly and annual progress reports;
Support in providing editing and formatting facilities to all components of the project;
Support project staff in organizing and managing workshops, trainings, and if required press conferences and field visits;
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;
Provide necessary trainings to project staff and if required to FAO Afghanistan projects on effective reporting and communications;
Support project staff in improving their inputs for monthly progress reports.;
Maintenance of an appropriate filing system (electronic and physical) to record all project reports, communications and field activities.
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.

Other Activities:
 Any other duties as required by the Organization

Partnership Building and Knowledge Management:

Maintain regular contact with FAO Country Office and the National Project Director (NPD) on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
Develop and maintain relationships with counterparts in the country to ensure adequate and timely technical inputs to the project;
Facilitate information sharing and generate awareness on the VC projects and progress to stakeholders, whenever required;
Builds strategic partnerships and synergies to enhance the impact and sustainability of the project outcomes;
Represent the Organization at project meetings and events, identify strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develop and negotiate effective working relationships/ consensus and agreements with national stakeholders;

Expected Results:
Well written and well-presented analytical information products;
Stronger capacity of the regional bureau and of country office to incorporate existing information into programme design and implementation;
Quality and timely submission to LTO/HQ of the standard project reports and documentation on continues/regular bases;
Lessons learned and recent advances in relevant areas collected and disseminated in an user friendly format;
Strengthen project team spirit to emerge around shared results
Streamlined information management processes in the project, country level and regional (RAP/HQ) level;

Job Requirements

Education:
University Degree (preferably Master’s Degree) in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media, International Relation, Social Sciences, English Literacy or other closely related fields or first University degree with the additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Work Experience:
At least Seven (07) years of experience in the performance of the tasks described above, preferably experience with UN and USAID funded projects;
Technical/Functional Skills
Working experience with ministries, national institutions and the rural/small business sector in Afghanistan;
Strong familiarity with Value Chain management issues in Afghanistan, including the political, institutional and socio-economic contexts;
Strong computer skills, in especially all MS Office applications and basic internet search engines or other relevant online tools;
Experience organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops with national participants;
Experience in multi stakeholder analysis, and in mobilizing or creating awareness about development projects;
Familiarity with UN agencies procedures for project implementation will be considered an asset;

Other Desirable Skills:
Good understanding and familiarity with UN development/ humanitarian program and working methods, particularly with FAO policies, financial and budget, administration and programming procedures;
Experience in multi-stakeholder analysis, and in mobilizing or creating awareness about development projects;
Knowledge of graphic design and multimedia communication tools an advantage;
Specialized technical background in quantitative analysis, such as statistics and econometrics an advantage;
 Strong research skills;
 Excellent data collection skills;
 Excellent analytical skills;
 Excellent presentation skills.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Core competencies: FAO core competencies include: Understanding FAO’s mandate & its global contest; planning, organizing, and delivering quality results; communicating to build understanding & support; working together in teams and partnerships; engaging in continuous learning.
Operational Effectiveness: Work independently, structure tasks, establish priorities and adhere to deadlines. Show a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Contribute ideas and suggestions for process improvement.
Client Orientation: Focus on result for the client. Attend to inquiries from internal and external clients in an effective, timely and friendly manner. Treat clients with courtesy and respect even when working under pressure. Express a high level of trustworthiness.
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.
Knowledge Exchange and Learning: Share own knowledge and promote a learning culture within the Office. Actively work towards continuing personal learning, apply newly acquired skills, and support flexible use within the Office.

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 (National Communication & Knowledge Management Officer – FAO/HRT/PRJ/SC/05-2019) in the subject line of the email, otherwise your email will not be considering for further process.

Please submit your application to below email address:

NOTE: Applicant who failed to attach the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) their Application will not be considered for further process.

The above required documents can also be submitted in writing (marked “Confidential” and clearly indicating on the sealed envelope the Vacancy Announcement Number, Postal Title, Your Name and Date of Submission) to: the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration), FAO Representation, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Jamal Mina, Opposite Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan.

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

http://www.jobs.af/jobsMediaFiles/1342949805.doc
http://www.acbar.org/applicationform

The last date for receiving applications is 28 February 2019. Please note that applications received after closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for test/interview.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
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 while applying for the vacant post.
Do not forget to write the post title and VA number on subject of your email.
Regret letter will only be sent to interviewed candidates.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment, respect for all and Integrity and Transparency

Functional Area

Communication

Countries

Submission Email

FAOAF-vacancies@fao.org

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