Vacancy Announcement
Download the job description here!
Deadline for submissions 28 of August
The Secretariat of the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS) is seeking a part-time Social Media and Communication Officer for the period 15 September 2020 to 15 February 2021.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions the work will be carried out virtually. The person is nevertheless expected to be in Rome, Italy, from 15 January to 15 February 2021.
The requested person will be asked to perform the activities spelled out by the CSM Communication Strategy, during CSM and CFS activities from September 2020 to February 2021. The key objectives of its workplan for the period will be:
- Implementing the CSM communication strategy for the CFS policy negotiations on the Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition and the Policy Recommendations on Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. The communication and social media work will be carried out under the supervision of and in liaison with the CSM Working Groups for ‘Food Systems and Nutrition’ and ‘Agroecology’ and the CSM Secretariat.
- Supporting and implementing the CSM communication strategy during the CFS high-level virtual meetings of October 2020 (12-15 October) and related CSM autonomous virtual events, with special focus on the launch of the CSM Synthesis Report on COVID-19 and the UN International Day on Rural Women. The work will be carried out in liaison with the CSM Working Groups, the CSM Coordination Committee and CSM Secretariat.
- Supporting and implementing the CSM communication strategy during the CFS 47th Plenary Session in February 2021 (8-12 February), the preceding CSM Coordination Committee meeting and the CSM Forum (4-7 February). The work will be carried out in liaison with the CSM Working Groups, the CSM Coordination Committee and CSM Secretariat.
These key objectives will be implemented by:
- Facilitating CSM media messages through social networks and platforms in accordance with CSM Communication Guidelines;
- Facilitating the drafting of common media messages, press releases and joint statements of CSM participating organizations, in accordance with the CSM Communication guidelines;
- Facilitating contacts and relations with media networks and journalists;
- Facilitating CSM press activities and events;
- Supporting the CSM website management and periodic update, and drafting of the CSM Newsletter.
- Coordinating with communications staff of CSM participating organizations and social movements, to amplify shared messages on social and press media.
The CSM is looking for a person who:
- Has at least 3 years of experience in social media, communication and press work related to food security and nutrition/food sovereignty issues
- Has proven experience organizing and preparing meetings and events with peoples’ organizations and social movements;
- Is fluent in English and has working knowledge of French and/or Spanish as translations of short texts might be needed;
- Has excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Has good knowledge of social media platforms;
- Has good knowledge of WordPress management;
- Is committed, responsible and proactive with good problem-solving skills;
- Is able to work in a multi-cultural environment and able to contribute harmonically to team work;
- Is able to adapt to a flexible working schedule;
- Has knowledge of the UN context, in particular CFS or FAO context;
- Has a substantial understanding of, and experience working with people’s organizations, social movements and Indigenous Peoples.
Desirable
- Fluent in English, and also French or Spanish
- Is able to record and edit short video messages and take high-quality photos during events and meetings.
The selected person will be offered a consultancy working contract (or, if requested, a project-based contract could be envisaged) for the period 15 September 2020 to 15 February 2021. Compensation will be communicated to short listed candidates. The work will be part-time (in average 50%) with periods of higher and lower intensity. More detailed information will be given during the interviews.
If interested, please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the selection criteria to csmrecruitments@gmail.com by 28 August 2020.
All applications will be treated in confidence. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. The interviews will take place on 1 September 2020 virtually.
WHAT IS THE CSM
The CSM is the largest international mechanism of civil society and indigenous peoples’ organizations (CSOs) working to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition by promoting effective agriculture, food security and nutrition policies, at the national, regional and global levels. The CSM gives particular priority to peoples’ organizations and social movements consisting of the people most affected by hunger and malnutrition. For more information on the CSM please consult the website www.csm4cfs.org
In 2009, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) underwent reform in order that it could become the foremost international and intergovernmental platform for promoting coordinated action amongst governments and other stakeholders in order to ensure food security and nutrition for all human beings. CFS Member States recognized the right of CSOs to autonomously establish a global mechanism for food security and nutrition to function as a facilitating body for civil society consultation and participation in the CFS.
The CSM Secretariat, maintains a politically neutral role within the CSM, and is dedicated to provide support to all CSOs working on food security and nutrition issues, to enable them to participate in, and influence, policy processes. The Secretariat supports, and reports to, the Coordination Committee of the Mechanism.