National Medias & Relations Officer

Context:

In recent years, the Sub-Saharan Africa region has faced complex and worsening challenges, including conflicts, climate change, food crises, and epidemics with significant impact on human mobility. These challenges have amplified vulnerabilities and instability in the region. Irregular migration along the Mediterranean route remains to be increasingly dangerous for migrants. Crossing the Mediterranean is by far the deadliest route, with over 26,811 missing migrants recorded since 2014 in addition to those who perish along the desert. In addition, migrants are exposed to various forms of violence, abuse and exploitation, including trafficking in persons, during their migration journey and end up with varying physical and mental health issues and worsened economic status.

To meet these challenges, IOM and member states have collaborated on various aspects of migration management and governance, focusing on enhancing protection, combatting irregular migration and trafficking in persons, and promoting regular, safe and orderly migration. With support from the European Union (EU), IOM has developed targeted interventions in 16 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and The Gambia) to protect the safety, dignity and rights of migrants along this important and dangerous migration route, help in improving the reintegration of returnees through an innovative approach, and contribute to the better management and governance of migration. This will be achieved through different types of interventions, including protection and assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants in transit, provision of direct assistance through search and rescue support, identification, referral and specialized direct assistance to the most vulnerable groups, voluntary return assistance, support with sustainable reintegration, and enhanced coordination among actors.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Programme Coordinator and in coordination with the Regional Media and Communications Officers and the Media and Communications Unit in Geneva, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading the formulation and implementation of visibility and communication strategy for the MPRR-SSA and media engagement to effectively communicate to diverse audiences, elevate the visibility and raise awareness about the programme’s achievements, activities, and impact within the target countries.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

• Communication Strategy Development: Collaborate with the programme teams to develop comprehensive internal and external communication strategies which aligns with the programme’s objectives, the Organization’s guidelines, donor requirements and target audiences.
• Team management: Oversee the MPRR-SSA media and communication team in order to strategically position programme and IOM within global conversation about migration by formulating and implementing innovative and impactful communication strategies which optimize outreach via traditional media, digital media and other public communications channels to raise awareness on the results of the programme as well as the Organization’s mission and activities. Lead recruitment and management of communication consultants, as well as service providers.
• Content Creation: Develop and edit high-quality communication materials, including press releases, articles, media advisories, briefing notes, lines to take, key messages, social media posts, infographics, branding packages, and videos to showcase the programme’s results and impact in an engaging and visually appealing manner. Liaise with regional and global level communication officers for publication on IOM official channels.
• Digital and Social Media Management: Manage the programme’s online presence across various digital platforms by employing strategic social media campaigns and utilizing web content effectively to enhance the programme’s visibility and reach diverse audiences.
• Media and Public Relations: Establish and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to amplify the programme’s message, secure media coverage, effectively and proactively engage with the media and address inquiries.
• Media/communications advice: In coordination with Regional Communication Officers, provide MPRR-SSA related strategic communications/media advice to Regional Directors, Chiefs of Mission/Heads of Office, Media Focal Points.
• Event Coordination: Organize, coordinate and support events, workshops, and conferences under the programme, as part of regional activities, or commemorating relevant UN international days or other national events to highlight the programme’s results and impact.
• Monitoring and Reporting: in coordination with the monitoring, evaluation and learning team, regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of communication activities, analyzing the success of different strategies, periodically prepare comprehensive reports showcasing the programme’s communication outcomes and proposing future improvements.
• Support to country offices: support directly and manage MPRR_SSA media and communication team support to country offices in the above areas, including communication strategy development, content creation, digital and social media management, media and public relation and monitoring and reporting under the programme.
• Media and communication coordination mechanism: Develop and manage a MPRR-SSA media and communication coordination mechanism for public information/communications focal points across the programme target countries to regularly share information, promote best practices, and develop capacities to ensure increased global visibility of MPRR-SSA initiatives. Liaise with IOM regional and global Media and Communication teams to ensure effective and correct dissemination of MPRR specific content across channels.
• Advocacy: Contribute to IOM’s global and regional efforts on advocacy, liaison and communication work with/to the European Union, the UN and other agencies in the programme target areas, by participating in the coordination meetings and joint initiatives of the United Nations Communications Groups, engaging in partnerships with the UN agencies, national and international organizations, as well as media outlets and think-tanks.
• Ensure appropriate gender awareness and representation in all IOM communications.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or a related field from an accredited academic institution with Four years of relevant professional experience; or,
• Master degree in the above fields with two years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:

• Professional working experience in an international setting, with the United Nations
• Experience in regional programmes funded by the European Union is an asset.
• Knowledge of international media and understanding of print, broadcast and online media operations.
• Track record in coordinating media strategies, networking, and developing media materials in a deadline driven and target audience way;
• Good analytical, written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to quickly and easily liaise with multiple stakeholders, including those in the programmatic area to prepare strategic communications materials.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, and work under tight deadlines.

Skills

• Excellent skills in developing media materials;
• Ability to coordinate media inquiries;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; and,
• Good understanding of media industry

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

Working knowledge of a local language a distinct advantage.

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 action and delegated work.

Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Women with the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.