IOM recruits a Head of Media, Communication and Awareness Raising.
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 environment. Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged. For the purpose of the vacancy, the following candidates are considered as first-tier candidates:
Internal candidates
Qualified applicants from the following NMS countries : Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Cook Islands, Cuba, Cabo Verde, Djibouti, Fiji, Micronesia (Federated States of), Gabon, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Kiribati, Comoros, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saint Lucia, Lesotho, Libya, Montenegro, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Paraguay, Solomon Islands, Seychelles, Suriname, Sao Tome and Principe, Eswatini, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, Samoa
External female candidates.
Job description – Head of Media, Communication and Awareness Raising
IOM implements innovative approaches and initiatives aimed at positively affecting the knowledge levels, attitudes and behaviours of youth and potential migrants in West and Central Africa. At the community level, these initiatives encourage the public and private sectors to develop new ways to prevent exploitation by building capacity to apply Communication for Development (C4D) practices to outreach activities.
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, the incumbent will manage the media, communications and awareness raising team at the Regional Office and coordinate the successful design and implementation of all awareness raising initiatives in the West and Central Africa region in coordination with the relevant IOM Country Offices (COs) and Headquarters (HQs) departments. S/he will coordinate the successful implementation of the regional communications strategy and ensure the public’s support for IOM’s activities, in line with the donors’ visibility requirements.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Plan and manage the Awareness Raising Unit’s activities and provide day-to-day programmatic, administrative and technical supervision and guidance to unit personnel.
Initiate, plan, manage and ensure the implementation of awareness raising and
Communication for Development (C4D) activities in the West and Central Africa Region.Exercise administrative, financial/budgetary and operational responsibility for regional awareness raising activities.
Prepare regular, special and other required reports, and ensure that all reporting requirements are met in a timely manner.
Manage the Media, Communication and Awareness Raising Unit team.
Identify new programme/project opportunities and partnerships consistent with the regional awareness raising strategy and in relation to needs and known capabilities and resources available.
Assess the relative feasibility and impact of proposals, formulate submissions for funding, negotiate with donor representatives, and play an active role in resources mobilization.
Coordinate, organize and represent IOM in meetings on awareness raising such as donor briefings, project events, stakeholder meetings, and other relevant events.
Lead and provide advice on all Communication for Development (C4D) messaging in the region, ensuring the messages are in line with Regional Awareness Raising Strategy and the IOM Regional Strategy (West and Central Africa) 2017 – 2019.
Ensure a systematic approach in data handling within the framework of IOM confidentiality and data protection guidelines.
Lead the development and implementation of a regional impact assessment strategy for awareness raising activities and information campaigns in the region.
Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender, children, and other vulnerable groups in programme development and implementation.
Undertake duty travel, lead and advise on awareness raising project activities, guide project staff and other partners to achieve programme objectives, and promote IOM’s image in the region.
Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in migration in the Sahel and West and Central Africa.
Maintain a close dialogue with and provide accurate information to donors by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and donor missions.
Manage the information flow within the region by identifying priority matters, securing, analysing and disseminating documentation and information to support country missions and corporate communication processes and priorities.
Coordinate the drafting of, and/or draft, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
Identify and target major events and initiatives to promote the work of IOM in the region.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
Master’s degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications 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.
Experience
Experience in public relations and/ or media relations;
Experience working within the media sector and/or public awareness campaigns is desirable;
Proven experience in the management of information campaigns;
Proven experience in both project and team management;
Excellent grasp of the evolving media environment, including new media, and the political, cultural and economic impact of the changing landscape on non-profit campaigns;
Familiarity and comfort with the issues of irregular migration, human trafficking and other issues related to migration and exploitation would be an advantage;
Experience working in an international environment is essential;
Willingness and ability to travel.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.
Desirable Competencies:
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 security clearances.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 19 February 2019 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application on your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4
Type of Appointment : Special short-term graded, Nine months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 19 February 2019
