Communications Officer At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Communications Officer

Duty Station: Erbil, Iraq

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, Six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 02 April 2024

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Partnerships and Coordination Division, and the direct supervision of the Media and Communications Officer, the Communications Officer will participate in the development and quality control of written content that presents the mission’s work to an external audience, as well as contribute to the implementation of the day-to-day operations of the Public Information Unit.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Draft written communications products targeted for external audiences, ranging from social media posts, op-eds, talking points and press releases to feature-length stories, in clear and concise English.
2. Draft, edit and produce public information materials for IOM press briefing notes, regular newsletters, mass mailing campaigns, the mission website and social media in clear and concise English, and facilitate appropriate gender awareness in all IOM communications.
3. Review all written content emerging from the Public Information Unit in English for quality control purposes, with close attention to spelling, grammar, clarity and IOM Style, and coordinate translation into widely used local languages – notably Arabic and Kurdish Sorani.
4. Participate in field missions as needed to assist in providing Public Information (PI) coverage of field activities; collect human interest stories; and contribute to the development of long form pieces about areas of strategic importance for the mission.
5. Provide information and inputs to support the development of visibility plans that complement project proposals and coordinate their implementation.
6. Support PI training for IOM Iraq staff in photography, story collection, videography, and donor visibility requirements, and build internal PI capacity.
7. Contribute to the development and strengthening of links with international and local media that promote IOM’s work and reputation.
8. Participate in interagency media and communication working groups to encourage information flow and community engagement activities across agencies.
9. Provide administrative and logistical support to the Media and Communications Officer to facilitate the timely completion of tasks within the Public Information Unit. This includes through participation in internal and external coordination meetings, and responding as appropriate and delegated to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally.
10. Organize or participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, press briefings, interviews, etc.; draft briefing materials for senior officials prior to their participation in high-level events, in close coordination with the thematic experts.
11. Coordinate with IOM Headquarters and RO Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and provide administrative and logistical support to help optimize outreach around important events and publications.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations 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.

Experience

• Experience in writing and copyediting, reporting or journalism or public information in international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or UN agency is required.
• Previous experience with IOM is desirable.

Skills

• Demonstrated high competency as a writer, editor in English;
• Knowledge of graphic design, web, social media, and video production basics;
• Familiarity with international organizations; and,
• Familiarity with migration-related issues in the Middle East advantageous.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish or another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian, and 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.

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 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 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

• 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

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 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 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 background verification 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.