Palladium International

Communications Adviser – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Samoa

Posted
11 December 2025 02:32pm
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Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Agriculture and Rural Development
Communications
Economic Development
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Summary

Overview

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) play a critical role in Samoa’s economic development, food security, and climate resilience. To strengthen its outreach and engagement with farmers, fishers and other stakeholders, MAF seeks to develop a comprehensive Communications Strategy and Procedures, which will be formalised as a policy document. This strategy will align with MAF’s strategic goals and objectives and enhance internal and external communication systems, particularly in support of agricultural extension services.

The Communications Adviser will lead the development of this communications strategy and procedures, ensuring they are practical, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the needs of farmers, stakeholders, and the public.

Description

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Samoa’s economy and livelihoods. Effective communication is essential for disseminating agricultural extension materials, promoting best practices, and engaging stakeholders across government, private sector, and communities. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is keen to improve its communications functions, particularly so it can improve the reach and impact of its agricultural extension.

The new Communications Strategy will:

  • Define roles and responsibilities of the Communications Unit, focal points, and other staff.
  • Establish internal and external communication protocols.
  • Provide guidelines for agricultural extension materials, media liaison, social media management, branding, confidentiality, data protection, and monitoring and evaluation.
  • Highlight MAF’s collaboration with Private Sector Media as a strategic approach to ensure sustainability in communications.
  • Include safeguards and ethical standards for communication.

Role

The Communications Adviser will work closely with MAF leadership, technical teams, and stakeholders to design and deliver a robust communications framework. This includes drafting the strategy, procedures, and templates, and supporting capacity building for implementation.

Key responsibilities

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Consult with MAF leadership, communications staff, extension officers, and external partners to identify communication needs and priorities.
  • Organise a workshop to bring together the MAF communications unit and the Information Technology (IT) unit to develop procedures on communication data management and protection.
  • Strategy Development: Design a comprehensive Communications Strategy linked to MAF’s strategic objectives, covering:
    • Internal and external communication flows.
    • Roles and responsibilities of communications personnel and focal points.
    • Integration with agricultural extension services, including priority topic areas for agricultural extension activities.
  • Procedures and templates: Develop practical procedures and templates for:
    • Agricultural extension materials
    • Media liaison and press releases
    • Social media management and branding
    • Confidentiality and data protection
    • Monitoring and evaluation of communication activities.
  • Capacity Building: Provide training or orientation sessions for MAF staff on implementing the strategy and procedures.
  • Policy formalisation: Prepare the strategy and procedures for endorsement as an official MAF policy document.
  • Reporting: Submit progress reports and a final report with recommendations for sustainability.

Deliverables

a. Inception report – outlining methodology, work plan, and timeline.

b. Draft communications strategy – including roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols.

c. Draft procedures and templates– for agricultural extension materials, media, social media, branding, confidentiality, and M&E.

d. Final communications strategy and procedures – updated based on feedback and ready for policy adoption.

e. Capacity building report – summary of training and feedback collected.

Experience / Qualifications

Essential criteria

  • Proven experience in strategic communications, preferably in agriculture or rural development.
  • Strong understanding of policy development and institutional communication systems.
  • Experience in designing communication campaigns for diverse audiences.
  • Excellent writing, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines.

 

Desirable criteria

  • Familiarity with Samoa’s agriculture sector and Pacific Island context.
  • Knowledge of agricultural extension systems.
  • Ability to communicate in Samoan language.

Duration and level of effort

  • Up to 35 working days over 6 months, with flexibility for remote work as needed.

Application process

Interested candidates should submit:

  •  CV (maximum 5 pages).
  • Cover letter outlining relevant experience.
  • Samples or links to previous work related to communications strategy development.
  • Daily rates

Contact Person: Send your applications to sheron.subhasni-mdf@thepalladiumgroup.com 

Applications close: 9 January 2026 Midnight Samoa Time.