Communications Officer

World Food Programme • Washington, DC

25d • Onsite

About The Position

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. The Communications Officer, a consultant position in Washington, DC, will assist the senior spokesperson and head of WFP North America communications implement the agency’s communications strategy for increasing WFP’s visibility, advocacy and fundraising objectives in the United States and Canada. The Communications Officer will report directly to the Senior Spokesperson in Washington, in close coordination with the Communications and Media Office (COM) in Rome, Italy.

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
• At least 6 years of professional experience in media relations, public information, journalism, strategic communications.
• Demonstrated interest in international development or humanitarian affairs
• Ability to work independently but also to collaborate well with a global team across multiple time-zones
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and problem-solve
• Experience pitching stories to journalists
• A keen understanding of, and previous experience working with US media and the Associated Press editorial style
• Working knowledge of MS Office, including the ability to design materials in Microsoft Publisher and PowerPoint
• Fluency with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms
• Ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Written and oral proficiency in English.
• Fluency (level C) in English language.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the workings of the U.S. government, WFP and the UN system is desirable
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language) an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Securing interviews and speaking opportunities for WFP officials to promote WFP's work among US and Canadian audiences.
• Liaising with news media, pitching WFP stories, providing information and ensuring WFP's interests are appropriately promoted in news coverage.
• Contributing to and executing communication and advocacy strategies and planning around government and donor partners as well as strategic moments throughout the year.
• Providing communications support for senior WFP leadership during US visits, including gathering content and creating social media posts, and identifying other social media opportunities to engage and raise awareness.
• Leveraging and facilitating WFP’s global Goodwill Ambassadors, Advocates and High-Level Supporters program to drive greater attention to global hunger.
• Developing communications and advocacy materials to raise WFP's profile among specific, targeted audiences.
• Working closely with our key communications ally in the US, the World Food Program USA, and other major allies, such as the UN Foundation on initiatives.
• Maintaining a willingness to assume work-related missions outside of DC, including in other countries as needed.
• Performing other duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees