Media and Communications Officer

Position Title: Media and Communications Officer

Duty Station: Sana’a, Yemen

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 08 December 2020

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; 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; 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 Deputy Chief of Mission (DCoM), the direct supervision of the Head, Project Development & Programme Support Unit, Sana’a the successful candidate will be responsible for managing and ensuring the implementation of communications, public information and media related activities for IOM in Yemen and in coordination with IOM’s Regional and Headquarters and Media and Communications Division (MCD), when relevant.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Develop and ensure the implementation of IOM Yemen’s internal and external communications strategies in line with the Organization’s guidelines and donor requirements, promoting an accurate narrative on displacement, migration and other issues central to IOM with the media, general public, donors, the UN and other key partners.

2. Lead the development, implementation and reporting on project visibility and communications plan in line with donor requirements, while managing close contact with donor communications focal points and providing them with regular updates and advice.

3. Manage the Media and Communications Unit (MCU), inclusive of technical communications assistants and graphic designers, and the Translation Unit, and recruit additional consultants and service providers when necessary.

4. Prepare and oversee the preparation of all relevant communications content produced by IOM Yemen in a strategic manner, including stories, blogs, video and social media content and provide timely editorial advice on whether they are best suited for publication on national, regional or global IOM platforms, working with the relevant communications teams at each level.

5. Develop and contribute content to communications campaigns at a national, regional and international level, including for relevant UN Days.

6. Manage IOM Yemen’s online presence, including through its social media accounts and website, with an aim of increasing the impact of IOM Yemen’s digital outreach.

7. Strengthen IOM’s links with local and regional media and international media, in order to promote the work of IOM in Yemen and provide information on the crisis through regular liaison, ensuring media contact lists are maintained, coordinating answers to media requests, preparing for media interviews, drafting timely press releases/media packages, and organizing press briefings, media trainings and partnerships, among other relevant activities.

8. Act as spokesperson for the Country office (CO) and take a lead role in the preparation of Media Lines to Take for emerging issues.

9. Draft key messages, statements, talking points and other relevant background documents for IOM’s use.

10. Oversee and support the graphic design team in the development of internal and external products, including donor updates, infographics and situation reports, ensuring high quality outputs that follow IOM’s brand guidelines.

11. Oversee the work of the Translation Unit by ensuring that they organize their work in an efficient manner and providing strategic guidance.

12. Advise and work with IOM Yemen’s Senior Management Team (SMT) on strategic communications issues, including sensitive internal and external communications and ensure the high quality and consistency of media and public outreach in for IOM Yemen by building the capacity of and providing strategic communications/media advice and support to the Chief of Mission, senior staff and heads of sub office.

13. Engage with the UN Country Team’s Communication Group and other relevant actors and lead on developing media messages on key issues and working together on campaigns and issues of joint concern.

14. Enhance IOM Yemen’s communications capacity by developing training materials, providing and assessing training to MCU team members, other units and field teams and by providing advice and assistance to field teams in all aspects of media and communications management.

15. Undertake field duty travel to take photographs and video footage and gather material for multi-media content showcasing the humanitarian situation and work being undertaken by IOM in the field.

16. Ensure that audio and visual media content being collected by IOM Yemen includes appropriate informed consent and is captured and stored according to the organization’s digital library and data protection protocols.

17. Keep abreast of global migration-related developments and processes in the UN system, and research, collect and analyze information on displacement, migration and humanitarian developments and emerging issues, as well as coordinating the formulation of IOM’s related media position.

18. Support the CO’s accountability to affected populations by providing communications support and advice to IOM Yemen’s community engagement efforts.

19. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Development, International Relations 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 digital communications and social media;

• Experience in corporate writing and editing;

• Experience in managing donor visibility;

• Experience with media liaison;

• Experience in humanitarian communications; and

• Experience working in the region and/or in an emergency setting an advantage.

Skills

• Skills in graphic design, particularly using Adobe programmes an advantage;

• Skills in photography and videography, both shooting and editing an advantage;

• Knowledge of international agencies like the UN and the humanitarian system an advantage;

• Demonstrated gender awareness and gender sensitivity;

• High level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines in a complex and fast changing environment;

• High level of professionalism and ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines in a complex and fast changing environment; and

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic, Amharic, Oromo, and/or Somali 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 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 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 security clearances.

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