Jobs at WFP, Italy

Position: Chief of Global Media Relations, Senior Communication Officer

Roles and responsibilities

• Lead the development of media strategies and activities to contribute to the corporate goals to achieve zero hunger, in line with the global communication strategy.
• Captain WFP’s global team of communications officers, to ensure that WFP’s global media messaging is coordinated, disseminated and that our representatives are speaking with one voice on all thematic narratives, such as emergencies, hunger-conflict, humanitarian-development nexus, and 2030 Agenda/SDGs, etc.
• Serve as a key spokesperson for the organization and manage senior executive interactions with the media.
• Manage all aspects of risk associated with WFP`s external reputation. Also, advise senior management accordingly an appropriate approach to press and media responses and strategies vis-a-vis media crises. Prepare contingency and/or crisis communications plans, when required.
• Act as the lead in identifying immediate reputational risks through mainstream media inquiries or through social media and produces holding lines or receives holding lines on breaking issues from Regional Bureaux and Country Offices; coordinates with social media team on managing the WFP response on all social media channels.
• Manages media relations and advocacy driving public opinion and building political will. Similarly, manage the daily work of the Communications division’s Media Team, including WFP’s interactions with journalists via traditional and social media.

Furthermore,

• Work closely with PR and Marketing teams to position Executives/Senior management as thought leaders. And remain top-of-mind as subject-matter experts and the authority on certain topics. This includes identifying suitable platforms, connect with influencers, leverage media and offer media/public speaking training.
• Broker media partnerships and secure thought leadership placements to amplify WFP’s stories that inspire engagement and action.
• Serve as the first-level supervisor of communications officers and consultants on the Global Media Unit at Headquarters. Similarly, function as an area supervisor for Communications Officers in WFP offices in donor countries and at all Regional Bureaus.
• Work closely with the Editorial team, Digital Unit, and Creative Studio to ensure key messages and product tonality for all significant events such as the Davos World Economic Forum, the UN General Assembly.
• Keep abreast of changing media landscape and maintain networks of global media contacts, including UN press corps, to enhance the visibility of WFP.
• Any other duties as required.

Required skills and qualifications

• Advanced University degree or Diploma in Marketing, Multi-media production, Journalism, international relations, communications, or any other relevant discipline. Or either, first University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
• Minimum of 11 years of post-graduate professional experience in Marketing, Multimedia production, Journalism, International relations, Communications or related discipline.
• Has gained extensive experience in specialized communications practices and expert knowledge of the external context in which these apply. Also, the one who has led multi-functional and cross-geography teams in the delivery of innovative communications projects.
• Ability to develop recommendations to senior leaders on ways to improve communication support services.
• Professional journalistic experience is preferred, including the ability to write and edit on tight deadlines.
• Deep knowledge of humanitarian operations globally, particularly in emergencies setting. Similarly, deep knowledge of WFP’s Gender policy, Resilience programming, Climate Change, and the 2030 Agenda.
• Demonstrate an understanding between media relations and advocacy and how they each can help shape public opinion and build political will.
• Fluency in the ish language. Also, additional knowledge of any other UN language will be plus.