Media and Communications Officer (P)

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. 

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Bahamas, Barbados, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
    

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of the Regional Crisis Coordinator, and in coordination with the Regional Media and Communications Officer and the Media, Innovation & Community Engagement Unit at Headquarters (HQ), the Media and Communications Officer will be responsible and accountable for managing the implementation of media and communications-related activities for IOM Gaza response. The operation in Gaza is framed around IOM's Strategic Plan for the Gaza Response, consisting of several areas of operations, including the establishment of a common pipeline and facilitating logistical access to partners operating in Gaza.

1. Coordinate the implementation of external communication strategies in line with the Organization’s strategic communications priorities and guidelines, promoting an accurate narrative on migration-related issues with the media, the general public, the UN, and other key partners.

2. Supervise the preparation of Media-related content on current and emerging issues and support the preparation of Media Lines to Take in crisis situations by the Regional Media and Communications Officer and relevant colleagues at the Media, Innovation & Community Engagement Unit at HQ.

3. Provide technical advice to the Crisis Coordination Team on strategic communications issues, including sensitive internal and external communications, and ensure the high quality and consistency of media and public outreach for IOM’s Gaza response.

4. Supervise and manage Media and Communications staff to ensure content is of the highest quality, aligned with IOM’s brand guidelines and consistent with the Organization’s strategic communications priorities. Enhance communications capacity by providing training and capacity building to the Media and Communications staff and other relevant teams.

5. Review all external communications content related to IOM’s Gaza response, including stories, blogs, video and social media content; provide timely editorial advice in consultation with the Regional Media and Communications Officer on whether they are best suited for publication on national, regional or global IOM platforms.

6. Assist the Crisis Coordination Team in preparing to represent IOM’s Gaza response, including arranging media interviews, reviewing speeches and preparing media Lines to take. Develop and contribute content to communications campaigns at a national, regional and international level, including for relevant UN Days.

7. Manage the IOM’s Gaza response online presence, including through its social media accounts and website to increase the impact of CO’s digital outreach.

8. Strengthen IOM’s links with media in-country to promote the activities of IOM’s Gaza response; maintain media contact lists, coordinate responses to media requests; prepare timely press releases/media packages, and organize press briefings, media trainings, and partnerships, among other relevant activities.

9. Draft media key messages, Statements, talking points, and other relevant background documents for IOM’s use.

10. Engage with the UN Country Team’s Communication Group and other relevant actors and lead on developing media messages on key issues by working together on campaigns and issues of joint concern.

11. Undertake duty travel to take photographs and video footage and gather material for multi-media content showcasing the humanitarian situation and IOM field activities. Ensure that Media and Communications content is clear and concise, and that digital informed consent is secured.

12. Ensure that there is appropriate gender, diversity, and inclusion awareness in all IOM external communications.

13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

• Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,

• University degree in one of the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

• Experience as a writer, editor, and content producer/manager in international Journalism and/or public information roles, preferably in the Region;

• Experience in digital communications and social media;

• Experience in corporate writing and editing;

• Experience in managing donor visibility;

• Experience with media liaison;

• Experience in humanitarian communications;

• Experience working in the region and/or in an emergency setting is an advantage; and,

• Experience working in UN or other international organizations.

• Skills in graphic design, particularly using Adobe programmes, are an advantage;

• Skills in photography and videography, both shooting and editing, are an advantage;

• Demonstrated gender awareness and gender sensitivity;

• High level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines in a complex and fast-changing environment; and,

• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies