National Media, Communication & Visibility Officer

Job Description

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency.  With 174 member states it is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.  Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, government and civil society to:

1. Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration and mobility

2. Advance understanding of migration issues

3. Encourage social and economic development through migration

4. Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and mobile populations.

IOM’s Regional Office for East, Horn and Southern Africa supports and monitors the following countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Lesotho, Madagascar, Eswatini, Angola, Botswana, Tanzania, Eritrea. Through a team of specialists, the Regional Office supports the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of projects and initiatives undertaken by country offices and regional programmes.

Under the Overall supervision of the Regional Director for the East, Horn and Southern Africa (EHSA) and the Direct supervision of the Senior Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) Coordinator, for the Horn of Africa to Yemen, and Southern Africa;  and the Regional Program Management Officer for the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM/LMHD); And under the Technical supervision of the Regional Public Information Officer, the candidate will be responsible for media, communication and visibility efforts around the MRP and BRMM.

The MRP is an inter-agency and inter-regional plan covering the ‘Eastern Route’, from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf nations, and Southern Africa, that brings together 48 organizations to provide urgent life-saving humanitarian and protection support, and enhance access to basic services and medium- to long-term actions aimed at addressing the drivers of migration for migrants and host communities. The MRP provides a route-based, coherent, consistent, and essential strategic framework to ensure a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response to address the drivers of migration and migrant vulnerabilities in the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa. The MRP sets the standard for accountable, inclusive, and flexible coordination in responding to large-scale and complex migration situations. It provides the vehicle through which MRP partners, including concerned governments and donors, seek to foster joint humanitarian, development, and migration governance initiatives. The MRP builds on the principles outlined in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and seeks to complement and strengthen the national responses of governments, in line with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

BRMM aims to enhance labour migration governance and protection of migrant workers and their family members’ human, social and labour rights through intra and inter-regional cooperation on a whole of government and whole of society approach, to support regional integration and facilitate mobility for transformative inclusive and sustainable economic growth as well as youth and women empowerment. The programme is expected to strengthen national and regional labour migration governance in accordance with the global and regional frameworks; increase national and cross-border cooperation on labour mobility; promote ethical recruitment and protection of migrant workers’ rights; and enhance avenues for safe, regular, and humane labour migration and mobility pathways through Free Movement Protocols/Common Market Protocols and Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs).

Responsibilities

1.  Actively paraticipate in coordination activities with partners in the field of communications within the framework of the Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Route.

2. Participate in the implementation of the MRP’s internal and external communications strategies in line with the MRP’s guidelines and donor requirements.

3. Contribute to the development, implementation, and reporting on project visibility and communication plans in line with donor requirements, while maintaining close contact with donor communications focal points and providing them with regular updates and information.

5. Take photographs and video footage and gather material for multi-media content showcasing the humanitarian situation and work being undertaken by MRP partners in the field and check that audio and visual media content being collected by MRP partners includes appropriate informed consent and is captured and stored according to the MRP’s digital library and data protection protocols.

6. Liaise with relevant Communications Working Groups and other relevant actors to  develop  media messages on key issues, working closely for campaigns and on issues of joint concern.

7.  Organize  media coverage, briefings, interviews, seminars, outreach activities, joint activities with MRP partners, lectures, conferences, media trips, and public events on major issues and events concerning the MRP. Including tracking and monitoring topics related to the MRP in the media, highlight points of interest, attitudes regarding the MRP and the broader response.

8. Act at the focal point for the MRP website: upload documents, update information and support its broadcasting; draft preliminary responses to press requests related to MRP issues. Maintain an updated database with contacts of journalists.

12. Produce PowerPoint presentations and other digital and printed documents necessary for meetings or external presentations, working closely with the graphic design team for the development of internal and external products, including donor updates, infographics and situation reports.

13. Participate in developing relevant communications and visibility interventions for BRMM

14. Develop customized communications and visibility products for the BRMM project taking into consideration the donor visibility requirements and in close coordination with the IOM country teams (e.g., information sheets, infographics, branded materials, press notes, social media feeds and human-interest stories).

15. Develop content for IOM Regional and Country Office social media platforms around BRMM activities

16. Develop and provide training on MC&V issues for internal IOM and external stakeholders (media, journalists etc)

17. Contribute to the development of a bi-monthly BRMM/RMFM newsletter

18. Assist in building and strengthening relationships with local, regional, and international journalists, media outlets and social media influencers in the region to highlight and raise the visibility of BRMM’s work and its positive impact in the region

19. Organize outreach events designed to raise BRMM’s visibility in the region, build on various data initiatives, and help change negative perceptions of migration.

20. Coordinate timely and quality development and dissemination of BRMM media content on the global and EHOA RO IOM website, country website and via other media channels (e.g., social media platforms).

21. Develop high-quality text stories, photos, video and audio content material, for donor submission,  global, regional, and national IOM websites and social media platforms.

22. Coordinate with the RO BRMM team and country missions implementing the project on media engagement. Provide talking points to HQ, RO EHOA, the country missions and others regarding media request and interview opportunities.

23. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

  • Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications 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 relevant professional experience.

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

 Experience

  • Demonstrated high competency as a writer and editor in English (native or similar level); as well as EHOA languages
  • Experience of graphic design, web, social media, photography and video production.
  • Familiarity with international organizations (and preferably with UN systems);
  • Possess previous working experience with other UN agencies

Skills

  • Strong communications and interpersonal skills, as well as strategic and creative thinking.
  • Efficiency, flexibility, high level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
  • Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.
  • Ability to effectively incorporate guidance provided.
  • Ability to guide and supervise staff and coordinate administrative matters.

Languages

  • For all applicants, fluency in English and Kiswahili is required (oral and written)
  • Desirable: Working knowledge of French and/or any other UN Official languages is advantageous

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

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

 

Required Competencies

 

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

 

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.
  • 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) (applicable only if position is with direct reports)

  • 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.

Notes

  1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
  2. 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.
  3. National Professional Officers should be nationals of the country of their employment. NPOs perform work at the professional level and the same standards of recruitment qualifications and performance, required for International Professional staff.
  4. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates will be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination.
  5. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
  6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

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