Communications Officer

Position Title: Communications Officer

Duty Station: Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 08 December 2022

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:

The Islamic Republic of Iran became an IOM Member State in 2001. In recent years, IOM activities in Iran have focused on technical cooperation with partners to promote effective migration management and migration for development.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM), and in close coordination with Programme Coordinator, Programme Support Officer, in Tehran, the successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and ensuring the implementation of communications, public information and media related activities for IOM in Iran and in close coordination with the Senior Media and Communications Officer at the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Media and Communications Division (MCD) in HQ, when relevant.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the development of and support the implementation of IOM Iran’s internal and external communications strategies, in line with the Organization’s guidelines and donor requirements, that promote an accurate narrative on displacement, migration and other issues central to IOM with the media, general public, donors, the UN and other key partners.
2. Coordinate and implement the project visibility and communications plan in line with donor requirements, while closely liaising with donor communications focal points and providing them with regular updates and information.
3. Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of relevant communications content produced by IOM Afghanistan in a proactive manner, including stories, blogs, video and social media content and provide timely editorial guidance on whether they are best suited for publication on national, regional or global IOM platforms, closely working with the relevant communications teams at each level.
4. Provide inputs to support the development of content for communications campaigns at a national, regional and international level, including for relevant UN Days.
5. Maintain IOM Iran’s online presence, including through its social media accounts and website, with an aim of increasing the impact of IOM Iran’s digital outreach.
6. Maintain links with local, regional and international media to help promote the work of IOM in Iran, in close coordination with the RO and MCD/HQ.
7. Draft key messages, statements, talking points and other relevant background documents for IOM’s use.
8. Coordinate the work of the graphic design team for the development of internal and external products, including donor updates, infographics and situation reports, facilitating high quality outputs that follow IOM’s brand guidelines.
9. Engage with the UN Country Team’s Communication Group and other relevant actors and participate in the development of media messages on key issues and working together on campaigns and issues of joint concern.
10. Support IOM Iran’s communications capacity by providing inputs for the development of training materials, participating in the delivery of training to team members, other units and field teams and by providing guidance and assistance to field teams in media and communications matters.
11. Undertake field duty travel to take photographs and video footage and gather material for multi-media content showcasing the humanitarian situation and work being undertaken by IOM in the field.
12. Check that audio and visual media content being collected by IOM Iran includes appropriate informed consent and is captured and stored according to the organization’s digital library and data protection protocols, and promptly bring issues to the attention of the supervisor.
13. Keep abreast of global migration-related developments and processes in the UN system, and research, collect and analyze information on displacement, migration and humanitarian developments and emerging issues, as well as providing inputs for the development of IOM’s related media position.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

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

Experience

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

Skills

• Sound knowledge and understanding of migration issues, including the importance of promoting social cohesion and migrant inclusion.
• Excellent liaison and networking skills with government agencies, donor, and INGOs/NGOs;
• A high level of personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility, drive for results, respects for diversity, creative thinking.
• Ability to establish priorities and undertake assigned tasks with minimum supervision and maintain composure under pressure.
• Ability to manage workload within general schedule of work, instructions, and standard practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to prepare and present clear and concise technical reports in English in timely manner;and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools like (word-processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail).

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Persian 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 three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

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.

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 potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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 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.