Job Posting: 01/Oct/2025
Closure Date: 15/Oct/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: RNE – Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (Cairo)
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Various Locations
Duration: Up to 11 months
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region faces severe water scarcity and deteriorating water quality, making it the world’s most water-stressed region. The increasing water scarcity poses significant risks to food security, nutrition, and well-being in the region, particularly for vulnerable communities. To address these challenges, the FAO Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) was established as a Regional Partnership Platform in 2013, bringing together about 20 international, regional and national partners committed to strengthening collaboration on water and food issues in the region. The WSI operates on the principles of cross-sectoral coordination and policy coherence, evidence-based polices and knowledge development and sharing to address water scarcity effectively.
In June 2022, FAO launched the Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS): A Gate Way to Coping with Water Scarcity, with the aim of supporting countries and regions upscaling relevant water-related actions and deal with the growing multi-faceted challenges complexity.
The iRTP-WS is designed as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ that aims towards identifying current fundamental gaps in practice and innovation that can facilitate a real transformative change in water, land and agriculture management under the unprecedented impacts of climate change. By embracing complexity, interconnectedness, inclusion and innovation, the iRTP-WS aims to specify clear-sighted trade-offs and pinpoint possible means for overcoming complex development challenges, through action-oriented and result-based partnerships, to accelerate progress towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Currently, the platform website includes a wide variety of interactive tabs and components, including more than 200 knowledge products and best practices on innovative approaches and technologies from the FAO and contributing partners. The platform website also includes interesting features such as Blogs, E-learnings, Webinars, Professional Network and links to various Communities of Practices (CoP)s, and Discussion Forums.
To amplify the iRTP platform’s outreach and impact, it requires a detailed communication strategy and continuous feed of high-quality technical content that contributes to its role and mandate in advancing water action.
Reporting Lines
The Knowledge Management / Outreach Specialist reports to the WSI Programme Leader, who serves as the Senior Land and Water Officer and Delivery Manager of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) at FAO RNE. The incumbent will closely collaborate with the iRTP-WS technical coordinator who is Land and Water officer of the RNE and Country Teams. Additionally, he/she will work in partnership with the resource partners, government counterparts, partners, consultants, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project.
Technical Focus
Under the Framework of the iRTP-WS, FAO is now seeking to hire a knowledge management consultant whose primary focus will be to contribute to strengthening FAO‘s outreach functions and process for the iRTP-WS. This consultancy will support the platform’s objectives through strategic technical content creation aligned with FAO standards.
Tasks and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Land and Water Officer and in close coordination with the iRTP-WS technical coordinator, the knowledge management/Outreach Specialist shall contribute to strengthening FAO‘s outreach and results dissemination functions of FAO iRTP-WS water related activities.
In close collaboration with the regional team based in Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points in RNE, Sub-regional Offices and the Decentralized Offices in the region. More specifically, the consultant will:
• Develop and implement communication strategies for iRTP-WS, aligned with FAO’s corporate communications strategy, ensuring effective outreach and visibility.
• Produce and manage content (articles, blogs, infographics, multimedia, newsletters, field stories, and digital assets) tailored to diverse audiences and aligned with FAO editorial standards.
• Strengthen partnerships and networks by engaging with international organizations, UN agencies, academia, NGOs, civil society, youth networks, and other stakeholders to enhance platform visibility and outreach.
• Coordinate events and outreach activities, including virtual/in-person workshops, press briefings, and stakeholder meetings, while documenting achievements and reporting results.
• Support knowledge management by finalizing key publications, maintaining an events calendar, and developing regular updates for stakeholders through mailing lists and newsletters.
• Manage media and digital engagement by monitoring coverage, identifying opportunities, managing social media channels, and coordinating video production with RCO and OCC.
• Provide technical and operational support to iRTP-WS governance bodies (steering committee, advisory group) and the technical coordinator, performing other related tasks as required.
• Perform any other task as required.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Business Administration, Project Management, Water and Agriculture Science or another relevant field; Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• 3 years of relevant experience in developmental work implementation and coordination, project and programme management and operational support related to water, food, or agriculture.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in
• Extent and relevance of experience in
• Familiarity with
Selection Criteria
• Experience with UN or international organizations is an asset.
• Full proficiency/Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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