Regional Media and Communications Officer and Spokesperson At International Organization for Migration

Position Title : Regional Media and Communications Officer and Spokesperson

Duty Station : Brussels, Belgium

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 : 09 September 2021

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; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Luxembourg; 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 Regional Director (RD) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office (RO) for the European Economic Area (EEA), the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the direct supervision of the Head of Policy and Programme Support Division and the technical guidance of Media and Communications Division (MCD) at Headquarters (HQ), the successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for the communication activities of the RO, provision of guidance on strategic communication and improving IOM’s visibility activities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Manage the RO communication activities in order to strategically position IOM within the global conversation about migration by formulating and implementing innovative and impactful communication strategies optimizing outreach via media, social media and other public communications channels to promote IOM and raise awareness of the Organization’s mission and activities among a wide audience including media, academics, civil society and donors.
2. Act as Spokesperson and Media Focal Point for the RO.
3. Provide strategic communications/media advice to the RO Brussels senior management, EEA Chiefs of Mission (CoMs)/Heads of Office and Media Focal Points, as well as IOM Offices worldwide implementing EU-funded programmes.
4. Develop external communication/advocacy plans reflecting the priorities of RO Brussels and strategic objectives of the Organization. Work closely with the RO’s geographic and thematic desks to promote and provide visibility to IOM expertise and institutional work within the national, regional and global context.
5. Initiate and manage outreach events and initiatives designed to raise IOM’s visibility in Brussels and in the region and represent IOM at events that contribute to the Organization’s visibility.
6. Strategically develop, establish and strengthen links with Brussels-based national and international media, think-tanks, governmental and non-governmental partner agencies to promote the work of IOM in relation to EU Migration policies.
7. Advise and guide IOM Country Offices (COs) in the Region in the strategic development of national communication and outreach plans in order to position IOM with key counterparts, civil society, private sector, the general public and donors.
8. Provide technical supervision and guidance to communication and media staff in the region, ensuring coherent coordination and formulation of organizational lines and communications strategies.
9. Oversee the development, within RO Brussels and with IOM COs in the Region, of common media messaging and Media Lines to Take on key issues and highly sensitive topics, in the region and globally in coordination with MCD.
10. Oversee timely publication and distribution of media content via social media and other IOM

media channels as well as management of RO Brussels website.

1. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

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 five years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in writing and editing in international journalism and public information, preferably in Europe;

• Experience in drafting policy documents and concept papers and/or developing institutional strategic documents;

• 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;

• Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, IOM

project development and management an advantage;

• Experience in liaison/working with EU Institutions and familiarity with international organizations; and,

• Experience in international journalism, including coverage of international organizations.

Skills

• Knowledge of graphic design, web, social media and video production;

• Excellent skills in drafting, editing and (possibly) graphic design; and,

• Experience in Online communication and social media 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 (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of

Spanish and/or French 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

1 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.

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