Job Description

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

This Vacancy Notice is part of IOM’s competitive mobility exercise, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only.

Organizational Context and Scope

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Global Office (GO) in Brussels and and in close coordination with the Director, Department of Media and Communications (DMC) in HQ, the Global Media and Communications Officer will lead the Global Office’s Media and Communications Unit (MCU) to support IOM’s strategic communications and engagement with the European Union (EU). They will be responsible for GO Brussels’ strategic communications, media strategy and engagement as well as technical media and communications advice and support to Country Offices (COs), Regional Offices (ROs), and GO colleagues on IOM-EU cooperation and EU migration policy.

Guided by a strategic communications approach that reflect the roles and priorities of GO in Brussels and IOM’s Strategic Plan, they will manage GO communication activities to enhance IOM’s visibility by strategically positioning the Organization within the EU conversation about migration, particularly with the media; support GO Brussels advocacy efforts; and promote IOM-EU cooperation around the world through timely and strategic outreach via media, social media, and other public communications channels.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

1. IOM-EU Communications: Manage, plan, and carry out GO Brussels’ communication activities to strategically position IOM with the EU and globally in the conversation about migration. Provide strategic advice and support to the Director, GO Brussels, the Global Programme Support Unit (GPS), Global Thematic Units (GTUs), IOM Senior Management, and IOM Country Offices worldwide that implement EU-funded programmes on IOM-EU communications, media, and visibility.

2. Strategy: Develop external communication/advocacy plans reflecting the priorities of GO Brussels and the Strategic Plan of the Organization. Work closely with the Director, GO Brussels and Director of DMC, GPS, GTUs, ROs, and COs to promote and provide visibility to IOM expertise and institutional work within the global context of IOM and EU cooperation.

Strategic Engagement

3. Engagement: Act as Media Focal Point, and Spokesperson as required, for the GO Brussels in support of the Director, GO in Brussels and when delegated with Brussels-based and international media on matters concerning IOM in the context of EU migration policy, developments and IOM- EU cooperation activities worldwide. Oversee the development and coordination of common messaging and media lines to take on key EU issues and highly sensitive topics globally in close coordination with DMC, the Office of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications (OPAC) and HQ functional homes to support the Director, GO Brussels, IOM Senior Management, ROs, and COs globally with their media engagement.

4. Liaison: Strengthen and develop relationships and timely outreach with Brussels-based national and international media covering the EU and enhance proactive engagement to elevate IOM’s profile and strengthen the Organization's positioning by promoting the work and vision of IOM globally within the context of the IOM-EU partnership. This includes proactive outreach and advocacy in events, report launches, policy pieces, op-eds, and general media work such as briefings, interviews, press conferences and timely replies to journalists.

5. Media: As delegated by the Director, GO in Brussels and Director, DMC, liaise with EU Institutions’, Agencies’, and Bodies’ media and communications counterparts, representing IOM in EU-related media and communications fora and working groups, including with the UN and NGOs.

Technical Support to Regional and Country Offices

6. Capacity Building: Manage the development and delivery of capacity building initiatives for RO and CO staff on visibility and communications for EU-funded projects.

7. Donor Compliance and Programmatic Review: Contribute to the GO secondary review of EU- funded projects with review of EU media and communications compliance and guidance on
potential reputational risks, along with suggested course correction, guidelines, or mitigation measures.

Tools and Knowledge Management

8. Key Tools and Mechanisms: Supervise the production of external content, including articles and IOM press briefing notes for the Global Office, and ensure guidance and support to country offices implementing EU-funded projects in the drafting, publication and promotion of their press briefing notes, stories, articles, and audio-visual content via social media and other IOM media channels and the GO Brussels website.

9. Knowledge Management: Supervise knowledge management of GO Brussels’ communications and media and contribution to knowledge sharing platforms, monitoring and internally communicating media coverage of IOM and EU issues, as well as overseeing the visibility of events and publications related to the Global Office and EU-funded projects.

Media and Communications Unit Management

10. Manage the Media and Communications Unit, including managing staff and supervising the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities in their entirety as outlined in the MCU Terms of Reference.

11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

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

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

Experience

• Experience in writing and editing in international journalism, working with the media and public information, preferably in Europe;
• Experience in strategic and humanitarian communications;
• Experience in drafting policy documents and concept papers and/or developing institutional strategic documents;
• Experience in liaison/working with EU Institutions and familiarity with international organizations;
• Experience in the areas of inter-State cooperation on migration, migration governance and migration policy highly an advantage;
• Experience in dealing with diverse counterparts from government and UN agencies and civil society and think-tank an advantage; and,
• Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, IOM project development and management an advantage. 

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to act independently and exercise sound judgement;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise report; and,
• Knowledge of Oracle highly desirable.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish). 

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

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 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 3

• 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 3

• 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

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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.

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, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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