DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

11 May 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: 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.

Experience:

• At least 11 years of journalistic/communications experience with a minimum of 7 years managing a global team of communicators
• Proven experience managing a newsroom-style team of globally dispersed media and/or communications professionals focused on high-profile, geo-political issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work horizontally across large organizations and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
• Expertise in developing and executing integrated communications and multimedia strategies.
• Strong track record managing reputational risk and developing crisis communication strategies.
• Outstanding writing and editorial skills, with the ability to produce compelling content under pressure.
• Proven experience as a media spokesperson and in preparing others for tier 1 media interviews.
• Deep understanding of the changing global media landscape, including digital, social, and alternative platforms.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Lead the development and implementation of media strategies aligned with WFP’s global communications priorities.
• Manage a globally dispersed media team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Cultivate and leverage a strong network of Tier 1 global media relationships, across traditional and digital news outlets that span print, broadcast, podcasts, and emerging formats.
• Serve as a media spokesperson, representing WFP in high-profile media engagements, and prepare senior leaders for interviews and press interactions.
• Oversee the production of high-quality media content, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Guide the planning and execution of multimedia strategies and integrated communications campaigns, ensuring cross-functional alignment and delivery.
• Design and oversee strategic internal and external crisis communication plans and support reputational risk mitigation.
• Drive WFP’s presence across digital and social platforms, aligning content distribution and engagement strategies for maximum amplification.
• Coordinate with Regional and Country Offices to ensure effective messaging in all regions and provide tailored support and guidance.
• Track, measure, and evaluate media engagement efforts and campaign performance using relevant metrics and insights.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of communication processes and outputs across the function.
• Other as required

The Senior Communications Officer reports to the Director of Communications and Media and helps to lead the Global Media team. This role requires a proactive, solutions-oriented communicator with deep media expertise, a strong digital mindset, and a strategic approach to team leadership, messaging, and crisis communications.
You will be responsible for managing a high-performing, newsroom-style team of communications professionals spread across multiple regions. You will develop and implement comprehensive media strategies that: build WFP’s brand, grow understanding of our unique value proposition as the lead humanitarian agency on food security issues, update stakeholder audiences on critical WFP frontline operations, manage reputational risks and more.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Lead the development and implementation of media strategies aligned with WFP’s global communications priorities.
• Manage a globally dispersed media team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Cultivate and leverage a strong network of Tier 1 global media relationships, across traditional and digital news outlets that span print, broadcast, podcasts, and emerging formats.
• Serve as a media spokesperson, representing WFP in high-profile media engagements, and prepare senior leaders for interviews and press interactions.
• Oversee the production of high-quality media content, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Guide the planning and execution of multimedia strategies and integrated communications campaigns, ensuring cross-functional alignment and delivery.
• Design and oversee strategic internal and external crisis communication plans and support reputational risk mitigation.
• Drive WFP’s presence across digital and social platforms, aligning content distribution and engagement strategies for maximum amplification.
• Coordinate with Regional and Country Offices to ensure effective messaging in all regions and provide tailored support and guidance.
• Track, measure, and evaluate media engagement efforts and campaign performance using relevant metrics and insights.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of communication processes and outputs across the function.
• Other as required.