National Communication Specialist at FAO Sierra Leone

FAO Hires a National Communication and Visibility Specialist in Sierra Leone

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FAO And A National Communication and Visibility Specialist

FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has announced an exciting opportunity for qualified professionals in Sierra Leone: the National Communication and Visibility Specialist position, based in Freetown. This role sits at the heart of development communication, offering a unique chance to contribute to national food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development initiatives while working with one of the world’s leading international organizations.

This position is part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s broader efforts to support Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation, particularly through a major EU-funded project focused on palm oil value chain development and nutrition improvement. For professionals passionate about strategic communication, visibility, stakeholder engagement, and development storytelling, this role represents a meaningful pathway to create real impact at the community and national levels.

About FAO and Its Mission in Sierra Leone

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations plays a central role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a strong focus on transforming global agrifood systems. FAO’s work is guided by its Strategic Framework, which emphasizes better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life—leaving no one behind.

In Sierra Leone, the Food and Agriculture Organization supports national priorities related to food security, agriculture, nutrition, and rural development. The Food and Agriculture Organization Country Office leads and coordinates programs that respond to local needs while aligning with regional and global strategies. This includes planning and implementing projects, supporting policy frameworks, monitoring results, and working closely with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.

Environmental sustainability is deeply embedded in FAO’s operations. The organization integrates climate resilience, sustainable land use, and inclusive development across all its interventions. As part of the United Nations system, the Food and Agriculture Organization also upholds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professional conduct.

Overview of the National Communication and Visibility Specialist Role

The National Communication and Visibility Specialist position is a non-staff national project personnel (NPP) role with an initial duration of 11 months. It is based at the FAO Representation in Sierra Leone, Freetown, and is open exclusively to nationals of Sierra Leone.

This role is designed to strengthen communication, outreach, and visibility for a large-scale EU-FAO collaboration to improve palm oil value chains and nutrition outcomes. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that project activities, results, and success stories are effectively communicated to stakeholders, partners, and the wider public, in line with FAO and European Union communication standards.

The EU-FAO Palm Oil Value Chain Development Project

At the center of this position is a three-year project on palm oil value chain development, aligned with Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone strategy and the Sustainable Food and Agricultural Value Chains Development in Sierra Leone (SFAVCDSL) action document.

The project is financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe) and aligns with the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Sierra Leone 2021–2027. With an estimated total budget of €34.7 million, FAO will administer €11.2 million specifically dedicated to technical assistance in oil palm value chains and nutrition.

This initiative is a joint effort between the European Union and FAO, building on shared priorities and complementary expertise. The project aims to benefit at least 43,000 farm families across four key districts: Port Loko, Bonthe, Pujehun, and Kenema.

Key Project Activities Supported by FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization is part of the United Nations, an organization that works around the globe to foster peace and stability through its specialized work. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s component of the project focuses on practical, community-centered interventions, including:

Dissemination of good agricultural practices
Adoption of improved farming techniques to boost productivity
Training in post-harvest handling and palm oil processing
Promotion of household nutrition improvement
Support for on-farm and off-farm employment opportunities
Formation and strengthening of oil palm-based cooperatives
Capacity development for monitoring and evaluation

Effective communication and visibility at the Food and Agriculture Organization are essential to ensure that these activities are understood, supported, and sustained—making the Communication and Visibility Specialist a key contributor to overall project success.

Reporting Lines and Work Environment

The selected candidate will work under the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone. On a day-to-day basis, the specialist will report directly to the International Senior Agronomist and Project Team Lead, while collaborating closely with the Head of Programme, technical teams, and communication units at headquarters, regional, and sub-regional levels.

This collaborative environment offers exposure to multidisciplinary teams and international best practices, while maintaining a strong focus on national ownership and local engagement. The incumbent is expected to bring in reliable input to the organization.

Technical Focus of the Position

The primary focus of the role is to enhance the visibility and communication impact of the EU-funded project. This includes supporting local monitoring and reporting efforts, developing communication materials, and ensuring alignment with FAO and EU branding and communication guidelines.

The specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization will help translate complex project activities into clear, engaging messages that resonate with diverse audiences, including farmers, community leaders, policymakers, development partners, and the general public.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The Food and Agriculture Organization is an international organization under the United Nations, specialized in food and agriculture, and dedicated to fostering peace worldwide. The National Communication and Visibility Specialist will carry out a wide range of responsibilities, including:

Strategic Communication Planning

Developing a comprehensive communication strategy and plan that defines objectives, target audiences, key messages, channels, and evaluation methods.
Ensuring communication activities align with project goals and donor requirements.

Content Development and Dissemination

Producing communication materials on a monthly and quarterly basis, such as brochures, newsletters, fact sheets, press releases, and graphic designs.
Supporting storytelling based on field data and real project outcomes, subject to FAO and EU approval processes.

Stakeholder Engagement

Organizing and facilitating stakeholder meetings, workshops, and community consultations.
Gathering feedback and sharing insights with the project steering committee and partners.

Media and Public Outreach

Supporting radio programs and media engagements in line with FAO, EU, and government guidelines.
Ensuring sensitive communication is handled professionally and responsibly.

Digital and Social Media Updates

Regularly updating the FAO Sierra Leone website and social media platforms (Facebook and X/Twitter) with project highlights and progress updates.
Coordinating with regional communication teams for consistency and quality.

Documentation and Reporting

Documenting lessons learned, success stories, and best practices throughout the project lifecycle.
Capturing the start, mid-term, and end-of-project milestones through photos, videos, and written narratives.

Field Support

Attending trainings, distributions, and field activities to ensure high-quality visual and narrative documentation.

Food and Agriculture Organization Communication Standards and Guidelines

The Food and Agriculture Organization is an international organization that follows international standards. All communication outputs must comply with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s established standards and policies, including:

FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031
FAO social media policy and branding guidelines
FAOSTYLE editorial standards
FAO terminology and country naming conventions
UN map and logo usage standards

The Food and Agriculture Organization is a United Nations agency that follows international standards. Liaison with the Office of Communications (OCC) is required to ensure alignment, quality control, and appropriate clearance of materials.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

The Food and Agriculture Organization is a competitive organization that follows the United Nations’ main principle, which emphasizes peace. To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

A university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field
Proficiency in English (working knowledge, level C)
Nationality of Sierra Leone

Core Competencies Valued by FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization adheres to several principles that comply with international standards; however, it also has its own specific criteria that its future workers should follow. It places strong emphasis on the following core competencies:

Results Focus
Teamwork
Effective Communication
Building Strong Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria and Desired Skills

The post is a competitive one and thus sought by many candidates at the Food and Agriculture Organization. Thus, to compete well in the application, one must have several skills. Additional skills that strengthen a candidate’s profile include:

Strong writing and editing skills, particularly for development communication materials
Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and community outreach
Solid background in graphic design for posters, banners, and visibility materials
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and institutions

Commitment to Diversity, Integrity, and Safeguarding

The Food and Agriculture Organization is committed to gender equality, geographical diversity, and inclusion. Qualified female applicants, individuals with disabilities, and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates undergo thorough reference and background checks.

How to Apply

The Food and Agriculture Organization aims to obtain the right individual for the post. Interested, qualified candidates from across the country and beyond must apply through the official Food and Agriculture Organization recruitment portal. Applicants are required to:

Create or update an online FAO profile.
Ensure all employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills are accurately recorded.
Upload a letter of motivation.
Submit the application before the stated deadline.

Only applications submitted through the Food and Agriculture Organization recruitment system will be considered. Since there is high competition for the position, only those who follow the instructions will be regarded seriously. The Food and Agriculture Organization is committed to serving people.

Conclusion

The National Communication and Visibility Specialist role at the Food and Agriculture Organization of Sierra Leone offers more than just a job—it is an opportunity to shape narratives, amplify impact, and support sustainable development efforts that directly benefit thousands of farming families. For communication professionals seeking to apply their skills in an international development context, this position offers meaningful work, professional growth, and the opportunity to contribute to lasting change.

FAO Hires a National Communication and Visibility Specialist in Sierra Leone