The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

Organisation Context

This role will be at the Country Office in Lilongwe, Malawi. The job reports directly to the Head of Partnerships, Reports and Communications or the designate, and has direct supervisees under them. The job holder will ensure that the Country Office communications activities serve WFP needs in the country of assignment, taking into consideration the overall regional communications plan and WFP’s corporate communications goals.

Job Purpose

To implement the communications plan by supporting and delivering a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and prioritising effectively.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)

•  Implement country specific communication work plans designed to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP, as well as support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with overall communications and WFP strategies.
•  Proactively respond to media enquiries, establish contacts with media representatives and coordinate with regional and global communications teams and other UN interactions.
•  Contribute to communications through good research, analysis of assigned area of work and timely preparation and distribution of information products to target audience(s).
•  Support the social media plan by developing social media content, and utilizing platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.
•  Generate donor specific visibility content including, text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support global and country fundraising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.
•  Monitor and analyze traditional and social media to inform the development and/or evaluation of communication activities and strategies. eIPhkhh B2c0h1
•  Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.
•  Collate outreach data contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports, Support communications activities that enable informed decision making and ensures consistency of information presented to the media and other stakeholders.
•  Support capacity building of WFP staff on all aspects of communication, provides advice and guidance within area and level of expertise, in order to ensure that all activities meet desired standards of consistency, quality and impact. For example the design and review of training materials.
•  Liaise and interact with WFP staff and external counterparts to support aligned activities and a coherent approach to communications within WFP.
•  Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of a crisis.
•  Other responsibilities as required.

WFP Leadership Framework: Common Standards of Behaviour

Leads by Example with Integrity

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork

Applies Strategic Thinking

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

Demonstrates and encourages others to uphold the WFP values, principles and standards

Identifies and aligns objectives to the required outcomes, holding self and/or others accountable for the delivery of results for maximum impact

Promotes inclusive teamwork and psychological safety by encouraging colleagues to collaborate by sharing ideas and openly raising issues

Communicates and fulfils WFP’s vision and operational outcomes to deliver meaningful solutions

Initiates and builds partnerships by identifying and promoting opportunities for mutual areas of interest and benefit

Values diversity using respectful and inclusive language, and encourages others to do the same

Delegates responsibly and provides appropriate support empowering others to deliver results

Supports development for others by giving timely and constructive feedback

Demonstrates curiosity, designs and implements new ways of doing things when relevant

Collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives by sharing information and cocreating innovative solutions with beneficiaries when appropriate

Stays focused and calm when under pressure, encourages others to do the same, and offers guidance and support to manage difficult situations

Responds readily to change in different contexts and adapts accordingly

Seeks out, trusts and listens attentively to diverse views to capture, learn, build and share new perspectives

Gathers data and different perspectives, shares knowledge and uses evidence to inform decision making

Demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn and share knowledge, frequently seeking and acting on feedback, and pursuing opportunities to develop

Implements decisions, considering the risks and implications of actions for teams, projects and other initiatives

Desired Experience for Entry Into the Role

•  Has gained experience in utilizing specialist communications techniques to enhance functional outputs
•  Has provided direction and instruction to more junior staff members within area of expertise

Standard Minimum Qualifications

Experience: At least three (3) years of relevant postgraduate professional work experience.

Education: Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with 2 additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and any local language.

Deadline Applications

09 April 2024

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.