Deputy Director, Department of Media and Communications At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Deputy Director, Department of Media and Communications

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 20 June 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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Fiji; 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; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Department of Media and Communications, the Deputy Director, Department of Media and Communications is accountable and responsible for formulating and implementing the Organization’s internal and external communication strategies in addition to deputizing for the Department.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic advice to the Director on relevant Public Relation (PR) and Media related priorities.
2. Provide substantive support to the Director as well as ongoing strategic direction, advice and guidance on IOM advocacy, media relations, events and multimedia products.
3. Under the leadership of Director, manage day-to-day the Media and Communications staff in Headquarters (HQ), and those posted in Regional Offices and Country Offices, including in the recruitment, performance and career management processes.
4. Foster a culture of collaboration and excellence within the Department.
5. Provide mentorship and guidance to staff, promoting professional development and capacity building.
6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of IOM’s organizational structure and operations, leveraging this knowledge to enhance the department’s effectiveness and alignment with the broader organizational goals.
7. In the absence of the Direct, coordinate and host press briefings on key issues related to the priorities of the IOM.
8. Represent the Director of the Department and IOM in interviews and other media-related activities.
9. Manage and enhance cross-team collaborations on major advocacy/outreach campaigns in key policy/thematic areas.
10. Ensures quality and consistency in the development and roll out of training tools and tool kits covering all aspects of communication, facilitating capacity-building for IOM staff in HQ, Regional Offices and Country Offices.
11. Under the guidance of the Director of Communications and working closely with the Managers, Marketing and Outreach while monitoring brand quality and coordinates brand development and marketing initiatives with a special focus on coordinating support for Resource Mobilization and donor-related communications products and support.
12. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Ten years (twelve years for bachelor’s degree holders) of progressive experience working in the field of Newspaper, Television, Broadcast Journalism or related field.

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 another official UN language (Arabic, 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

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 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.

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.

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.