Media and Communications Officer

Position Title: Media and Communications Officer

Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 03 November 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.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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 non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, the direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships & Coordination Division, and in close collaboration with the Regional Media and

Public Information Officer at Regional Office (RO) Cairo, the Media and Communications Officer (MCO) is responsible for the formulation and implementation of communications strategies to promote IOM Iraq and raise awareness of migration issues both nationally and internationally.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement a public information strategy for IOM Iraq to prominently position the organization as the lead UN organization working on migration related issues with donors, partners, media agencies and the Iraqi public.
2. Supervise Public Information (PI) Unit staff, including public information assistants, national/international media and communications officers, and consultants. Identify and fill department Human Resources needs.
3. Manage PI Unit staff to produce high-quality content (human-interest stories, photographs, videos, and more) about IOM activities in Iraq, for national and international audiences. Public information content should be clear and concise, and produced with respect for informed consent and the dignity/privacy/wellbeing of beneficiaries and communities.
4. Take responsibility for managing content on IOM Iraq social media accounts and other communications platforms, ensuring that it meets IOM standards and guidelines for video, story and photo production.
5. Contribute to the development of project proposals and reporting by incorporating considerations relating to communication outputs and relevant budgets. Manage visibility budgets for donor projects and identify priority areas to fulfil visibility requirements.
6. In close coordination with the Chief of Mission, the Program Support Unit and program managers for the Iraq Mission, supervise the writing, editing and production of timely press releases, material for the global and country websites, newsletters and other media channels in clear and concise English. Oversee translation to Arabic and Kurdish as needed.
7. Field media enquiries and be available for interviews about IOM Iraq’s work with print, radio and broadcast media outlets.
8. Provide internally coordinated guidance and talking points (Lines to Take, etc.) to colleagues in the mission, at Headquarters and in RO Cairo regarding on-going media requests, interview opportunities and crisis communications, when necessary.
9. Develop and strengthen links with local, regional and international media to promote IOM’s work and improve the mission’s reputation as a reliable actor in country.
10. Advise IOM Iraq’s Chief of Mission, visibility focal points, program managers, Heads of sub-office and other staff in the country on media, public information, event visibility, and communications considerations or challenges.
11. Support with high profile events that will raise IOM’s visibility in the country and assist the Chief of Mission or his delegated representative in preparing to represent the mission, including review of talking points and arranging media participation/the presence of a photographer.
12. Liaise with media counterparts in governmental and non-governmental partner agencies. Represent IOM in the UN Strategic Communications Group, the UN Network on Migration meetings, and other relevant interagency media and communication working groups to encourage information flow across agencies and to develop complementary media strategies.
13. Ensure that there is appropriate gender awareness in all IOM communications.
14. 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 Middle East region;
• UN experience and or International organization experience.

Skills

• Demonstrated high competency as a writer and editor in English;
• Demonstrated photojournalism skills;
• Knowledge of graphic design, web, social media and video production;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong strategic and creative thinking;
• Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism, ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines; and,
• Has proven record of efficient team management and ability to delegate and assign tasks.

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 Arabic and Kurdish 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 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.