Borderlands Awareness Toolkit & Design Consultant

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

Under the European Union-funded Borderlands Project, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing a comprehensive programme to strengthen cross-border cooperation, border governance, stabilization, and resilience in the border areas between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The project aims to improve border governance, prevent human trafficking and migrant smuggling, promote social cohesion and gender equality, strengthen community resilience, and support socio-economic development through integrated and community-based interventions. Communication and awareness-raising are central to achieving these objectives by promoting positive social and behavioural change among border communities and key stakeholders.

IOM is seeking an experienced Communications Consultant (Category B) to develop a comprehensive Borderlands Awareness Toolkit. Working remotely over a period of three (3) months, the consultant will design a harmonized communication and awareness strategy, develop innovative print, digital, and multimedia communication materials, create community engagement tools based on Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) principles, and build the capacity of implementing partners to effectively use the toolkit. The consultant will work closely with IOM's Communications, Protection, Border Governance, MHPSS, Social Cohesion, and Monitoring and Evaluation teams to ensure that all communication products are technically sound, culturally appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with IOM and European Union communication standards. 

Responsibilities

• Submit an inception report outlining the assignment approach, detailed work plan, methodology, and implementation schedule.
• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant Borderlands project documents, IOM communication resources, EU visibility guidelines, and international SBCC best practices.
• Map all awareness-raising activities implemented under the Borderlands project and assess existing communication materials.
• Conduct stakeholder and target audience analysis, including segmentation of beneficiary groups and communication needs.
• Present findings and recommendations during an inception meeting with the IOM technical team.

• Develop the first draft of the Borderlands Awareness Toolkit, including:
  • Harmonized communication and awareness strategy.
  • Key messages for all project thematic areas.
  • Community facilitation and awareness-raising guides.
  • Technical fact sheets and facilitator manuals.
  • Graphic concepts and branding elements.
  • Draft communication products (posters, brochures, leaflets, infographics, flipcharts, roll-up banners, PowerPoint templates, and social media materials).
  • Innovative community engagement tools (forum theatre, community quizzes, participatory games, mobile cinema guides, awareness caravan materials, etc.).
  • Referral mechanism communication materials for vulnerable migrants and victims of trafficking.
• Present draft deliverables during a virtual validation workshop and incorporate technical feedback from IOM and implementing partners.
  
  Submit the final validated Borderlands Awareness Toolkit incorporating all comments received.
• Deliver the complete communication strategy and toolkit package.
• Provide editable source files (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Word, or equivalent).
• Deliver high-resolution graphic materials and digital communication assets.
• Develop a training module and facilitate one virtual capacity-building session for IOM staff and implementing partners on the use of the toolkit.
• Submit a final consultancy report summarizing the methodology, activities undertaken, deliverables produced, recommendations, and lessons learned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master's degree or higher in Communications, Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Communication for Development (C4D), Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC/SBC), Social Marketing, Social Sciences, or another relevant field from an accredited academic institution.
• Additional specialized training or certification in communication strategy, behaviour change communication, graphic design, digital media, or related disciplines is considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in designing communication strategies, awareness-raising campaigns, and behaviour change communication materials.
• Demonstrated experience in developing communication toolkits, communication guides, IEC/BCC materials, or awareness-raising packages for international organizations, United Nations agencies, international NGOs, or development partners.
• Proven experience in designing high-quality print, digital, and audiovisual communication products for diverse audiences, including low-literacy and vulnerable communities.
• Experience working on migration, protection, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, gender-based violence (GBV), public health, social cohesion, human rights, or community development programmes is highly desirable.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC/SBC) methodologies and community engagement approaches.
• Strong ability to develop innovative communication strategies, key messages, and awareness campaigns tailored to different target audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in professional graphic design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects) or equivalent applications.
• Good command of digital communication and design platforms such as Canva Pro, Figma, or similar tools.
• Excellent writing, editing, and content development skills, with the ability to translate technical information into clear, audience-friendly communication products.
• Good understanding of IOM, United Nations, and European Union communication and visibility standards is an asset.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and other collaborative digital platforms.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.

Languages

For this consultancy, French and English

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

• 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.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. 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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