Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) invites qualified candidates to apply for the National Communications Specialist (SC9) role in Somalia. Professionals with a background in Communication/advocacy and at least 7 - 8 years of experience are encouraged to apply. Qualified candidates are urged to apply before the Aug, 21 deadline.
Job Posting
:
06/Aug/2026
Closure Date
:
21/Aug/2026, 12:59:00 AM
Organizational Unit
:
FRSOM - FAO Representation in Somalia
Job Type
:
Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition
:
NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level
:
N/A
Primary
Location
:
Somalia
Duration
:
Up to 6 months, with possibility of extension
Post Number
:
N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
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Organizational Setting
The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the general guidance of Strategy and Resource Mobilization and direct supervision of the Communications specialist.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of communication, visibility, and communication-for-development strategies, ensuring effective storytelling, stakeholder engagement, media outreach, project visibility, and knowledge sharing to enhance FAO Somalia’s programme impact and results.
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Tasks and responsibilities
- Prepare detailed mission briefs outlining photo and video shoot objectives, methodologies, expected outputs, and quality requirements for contractors.
- Supervise photography and videography missions virtually and/or in person to ensure delivery of high-quality outputs and compliance with FAO standards.
- Gather and consolidate photos, videos, human-interest stories, and other content to document and showcase FAO’s achievements and impact in Somalia.
- Develop case studies, success stories, and visibility content in close collaboration with Information Management, programme, and technical teams.
- Support the preparation and production of communication materials for media events, technical releases, campaigns, project launches, and dissemination of research findings.
- Maintain active participation in communications team meetings and monitor progress of communications deliverables through established tracking systems.
- Develop, manage, and monitor project visibility plans to ensure timely implementation and donor compliance.
- Maintain a calendarized communications and visibility workplan, coordinating regularly with programme units on upcoming activities and project milestones.
- Ensure all new projects are supported by dedicated communications and visibility plans aligned with organizational requirements.
- Develop communication products and key messaging tailored to diverse audiences, including scripts, video concepts, online stories, and promotional materials.
- Coordinate and manage logistics for photography, videography, and multimedia production missions.
- Draft scripts, interview guides, talking points, and communication content to support media productions and outreach activities.
- Obtain quotations, cost estimates, and procurement inputs for communications, branding, and visibility requirements.
- Manage contractor agreements, deliverables, invoices, and performance to ensure timely and quality execution of assignments.
- Research, write, edit, and produce content for websites, social media platforms, media outreach, and other FAO communication channels.
- Coordinate the production and dissemination of communication and advocacy materials, including human-interest stories, infographics, branded items, and promotional products, in accordance with FAO corporate branding guidelines.
- Represent FAO in inter-agency communication platforms, including Humanitarian Communication and United Nations Information Groups in Somalia.
- Support the drafting of press releases, statements, media responses, and press conference materials in coordination with FAO communication offices at country, regional, and headquarters levels.
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive archive of visual and audio assets, including photographs, videos, captions, b-roll footage, and multimedia resources.
- Support social media planning, content development, scheduling, and audience engagement activities across FAO digital platforms.
- Contribute communication and visibility content to donor reports, project reports, and organizational publications.
- Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of Communication for Development (ComDev) strategies and interventions, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and improved programme delivery.
- Design, pilot, and scale up inclusive Rural Communication Services (RCS), utilizing appropriate communication channels and promoting community ownership and participation.
- Lead outreach, knowledge-sharing, radio monitoring, listener feedback mechanisms, webinars, online learning initiatives, voice-over productions, and dissemination of C ComDev-related content across multiple platforms.
- Translate and adapt capacity-building materials into Somali, ensuring contextual relevance, linguistic accuracy, preservation of original meaning, and appropriate use of sector-specific terminology and references; perform other related duties as required.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
About Somalia
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa and has a growing job market, particularly in the humanitarian, development, and private sectors. Major employment hubs include Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, Baidoa, and Kismayo, with opportunities from international NGOs, UN agencies, government institutions, and an expanding private sector.
Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Isgaarsiinta • Shaqo Buuxda • Shaqo Cusub