Communications Officer (Head of Communications)

About the role

The World Food Programme (WFP) is recruiting a Communications Officer to serve as Head of Communications, based in Mogadishu on a Consultant Level II contract lasting 11 months. The role sits within the Partnerships and Communications team, which handles strategic advocacy, resource mobilisation and partnership development in support of the WFP Somalia CSP. The post holder leads the communications team and also acts as spokesperson for WFP Somalia.

What you will do

• Lead the communications team in delivering the WFP Somalia communications strategy, setting direction and overseeing all communication activities.
• Manage and develop communications staff, holding regular in-person briefings and building the team's capacity.
• Advise senior management on communications matters and set up monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess and improve communication work.
• Lead multimedia production, including field missions, scriptwriting, reviewing and editing.
• Grow reach through social media and maintain accuracy and editorial standards in all external outputs.
• Handle media engagement, including contact lists, responses to media requests, press briefings and media training, and act as spokesperson.
• Lead internal communications on the strategic direction and operationalisation of WFP Somalia's work and streamline information management products.
• Strengthen two-way communication with the populations served, producing culturally relevant materials such as SMS messages, radio broadcasts, campaigns and visual content, and support C4D strategy and capacity building.
• Support advocacy strategies and fundraising, oversee donor visibility requirements, and assist the Partnerships team with special projects.

What you need

• An Advanced University Degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, Advocacy, International Relations, Marketing, Digital Communications or a related field, or a First University Degree with additional relevant work experience and/or training or courses.
• At least five years of relevant experience with an Advanced University Degree, or a First University Degree with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, advocacy, public information or related fields.
• Fluency (level C) in English, with intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second UN language an advantage.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, public speaking ability, political awareness, social media management and project management skills.
• Prior knowledge of Somalia or of WFP is strongly preferred.
• Open to qualified international candidates only.

Experience

The notice asks for experience in developing communication strategies, managing media engagement, producing communication products and coordinating with diverse stakeholders, which is highly desirable. Previous work with the United Nations, international organisations or in humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit an online application through Workday, using the internal link if they are current WFP staff or the external link otherwise. Applications that do not meet the stated requirements will be disregarded, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date is 19 November 2026.