Position Title: Media and Communications Officer
Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3
Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, nine months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 27 December 2023
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Context:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission, and in coordination with the Programme
Support Unit (PSU), programme managers and technical guidance of the Media and Communications Units in Regional Office Nairobi and HQ, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing the implementation of external communications, public information, and media related activities for IOM in Somalia.
This includes supporting the formulation and implementation of creative communication strategies to raise awareness of IOM Somalia and its work amongst different partners. The Media and Communications Officer ensures the quality and consistency of the media and public outreach in Somalia by providing direct strategic communications and media advice to the country office’s management and managing the external communications for the mission.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the implementation of COs external and internal communication strategies in line with the Organization’s strategic communications priorities and programme/project-specific visibility strategies to advance IOM Somalia’s work among the UN and other key partners in Somalia and beyond.
- Act as Spokesperson for the CO, take a lead role in 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 MCU/HQ.
- Provide technical advice to the Senior Management Team (SMT) on strategic communications issues, including sensitive internal and external communications, and ensure the high quality and consistency of media and public outreach for the CO by building the capacity of and providing strategic communications/media advice and support to the COM and SMT.
- Contribute to project development and reporting by incorporating considerations relating to communication outputs and relevant budgets. Manage visibility budgets and identify priority areas to fulfil visibility requirements.
- Enhance CO’s communications capacity by developing training materials, providing training and capacity building to the unit’s staff and other relevant teams; provide advice and support to the field teams on Media and Communications management.
- Supervise all external communications content produced by the CO, including stories, blogs, videos 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.
- Support high profile visibility events and assist the Chief of Mission in preparing to represent the CO, 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.
- Manage the CO’s online presence, including through its social media accounts and website to increase the impact of CO’s digital outreach.
- Support the mission’s accountability to affected populations by providing communications support and advice to IOM Somalia’s community engagement efforts.
- Strengthen IOM’s links with media in-country and opinion leaders, to promote the work of the CO; 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.
- 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.
- Ensure that there is appropriate gender, diversity and inclusion awareness in all IOM external communications.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- 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.
Experience
- 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 an advantage; and,
- Experience in working in UN or other International organizations.
Skills
- Skills in graphic design, particularly using Adobe programmes an advantage;
- Skills in photography and videography, both shooting and editing 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,
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish, all staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.
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.
Notes
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
- Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
- Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
- Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
- Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
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.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
