Media Communications Officer At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Media Communications Officer

Duty Station: Kyiv, Ukraine

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 04 January 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 overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM), in collaboration with the Country Office’s (CO) Policy Liaison and Project Development (PLPD) Unit, the Media and Communications Officer will be responsible and accountable for the development and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategy to promote the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ukraine’s programmes to a wide audience.

This also includes the formulation and implementation of creative communication products to increase the visibility of IOM Ukraine’s activities and to promote an accurate narrative on migration, displacement and return with partners in the government, donor community, Media, United Nations (UN) agencies, as well as the general public.

The successful candidate will contribute towards the quality and consistency of the media and public outreach in Ukraine and beyond, including providing direct strategic communications and media support and advice to the CoM and DCoM, and generating external communications content for the CO.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Together with the National Communications Team, manage the implementation of the IOM Ukraine Communications and Advocacy Strategy by overseeing and monitoring the strategy work plan and calendar of activities, coordinating content production, and managing information flows.
2. Serve as the CO’s spokesperson by directly addressing and referring international media and information requests in coordination with the CoM and other senior staff as appropriate.
3. Proactively liaise with international media outlets, organizing access to IOM projects, as well as media briefings to enhance the visibility of IOM’s activities.
4. Serve as the primary media and communications liaison point with the UN CountryCommunication and Advocacy Group in Ukraine, ensuring updates from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other relevant actors reflect IOM’s work in the country.
5. Coordinate the development of media lines to take in collaboration with MCU in Headquarters(HQ) and the Regional Office (RO) in Vienna on sensitive and emerging issues.
6. Lead the development of talking points and statements for the CoM and other senior staff during public events and media appearances by collecting timely and accurate data and ensure alignment with CO and global key messages and terminology.
7. Proactively suggest opportunities and develop content for public communication of behalf of CoM/DCoM (op-eds, joint articles with HoAs, posts for CoM’s social media, etc.).
8. Provide advice and expertise to managers and senior officers, and guidance to other communications staff, on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches.
9. Draft high-quality English material for IOM products, the media (e.g. press releases, op-eds, etc.), periodicals, reports and books and edits and quality controls drafts prepared by junior officers.
10. Produce materials for electronic/voice/visual and social media outreach.
11. Undertake regular duty travel to IOM Ukraine’s hubs in the field to support media outreach activities, gather material for multi-media projects and provide media training to individuals and teams as required.
12. Increase the impact of IOM Ukraine’s overall online and offline presence and brand recognition by developing innovative communications campaigns.
13. Coordinate, update, and monitor the impact of Ukraine CO’s communications via media monitoring, as well as social media and Google analytics.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Political Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in international journalism and public information;
• Experience in community engagement and digital awareness raising;
• Experience in the production of visibility materials and graphic design;
• Experience in dealing with diverse counterparts from government and UN agencies, civil society and think-tank is an advantage;
• Previous experience of writing and reporting in international and crisis contexts preferably within the UN Common System and the International Humanitarian Field; and,
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural setting.

Skills

• Sound reporting, writing and editorial skills and ability to create multi-media content;
• Proven ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to the set deadlines;
• Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to analyse complex problems and identify and convey clear, rapid solutions; and,
• Excellent general analytical skills.

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 Ukrainian and/or Russian 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 and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category 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.