Communications Officer (Migrant Response Plan (MRP)) (P2) Nairobi, Kenya

Position Title: Communications Officer (Migrant Response Plan (MRP))

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, 6 months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 17 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; 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.

Context:

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency. With 174 member states it is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, government, and civil society to:

1. Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration and mobility;
2. Advance understanding of migration issues;
3. Encourage social and economic development through migration; and,
4. Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and mobile populations.

IOM’s Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa supports and monitors the following countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Through a team of specialists, the Regional Office supports the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of projects and initiatives undertaken by country offices and regional programmes.

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa (EHOA) and direct supervision of the Senior Regional Migrant Response Plan Coordinator for the Horn of Africa, and the technical supervision of the Regional Public Information Officer, the Communications Officer (Migrant Response Plan (MRP)) would:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide technical and administrative support for coordination activities with partners in the field of communications within the framework of the Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa and Yemen and Southern Route.
2. Participate in the implementation of the MRP’s internal and external communications strategies in line with the MRP’s guidelines and donor requirements, helping to promote an accurate narrative on migration and other issues central to the MRP with the media, general public, donors, the UN and other key partners.
3. Contribute to the development, implementation, and reporting on project visibility and communication plans in line with donor requirements, while maintaining close contact with donor communications focal points and providing them with regular updates and information.
4. Participate in the implementation of communications campaigns (e.g., global advocacy initiatives, regional public information programmes) and joint communications strategies in humanitarian and development contexts in close coordination with relevant thematic specialists for the positioning and visibility of the MRP.
5. Draft and/or coordinate the preparation of specific communications content produced by MRP partners in a timely manner, including stories, blogs, videography, photography, audio production (podcasts) and graphic/digital design and social media content.
6. Liaise with relevant Communications Working Groups and other relevant actors to assist in the development of media messages on key issues, working closely for campaigns and on issues of joint concern.
7. Provide technical support to the MRP working groups, such as the Migrant Protection Working Group and Information Management Working group, to facilitate their visibility and communications work.
8. Participate in relevant meetings and conferences. Support information networks, and assist inorganizing media coverage, briefings, interviews, seminars, outreach activities, joint activities with MRP partners, lectures, conferences, media trips, and public events on major issues and events concerning the MRP.
9. Keep abreast of global migration-related developments and processes in the UN system by researching, collecting and analyzing information on displacement, migration and humanitarian developments and emerging issues.
10. Act as a focal point for the MRP website: upload documents, update information and support its broadcasting; draft preliminary responses to press requests related to MRP issues. Maintain an updated database with contacts of journalists.
11. Provide technical inputs for the preparation of a range of information communications products in support of priority MRP initiatives. Coordinate the publication processes.
12. Track and monitor topics related to the MRP in the media, highlight points of interest, evaluate the impact of communications activities, and document developments, trends, and attitudes regarding the MRP and the broader response.
13. Produce PowerPoint presentations and other digital and printed documents necessary for meetings or external presentations, working closely with the graphic design team for the development of internal and external products, including donor updates, infographics and situation reports.
14. Provide training, information and assistance to field teams on various aspects of media and communications, particularly in relation to the Communications Plan for the MRP at country levels.
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 MRP partners in the field and check that audio and visual media content being collected by MRP partners includes appropriate informed consent and is captured and stored according to the MRP’s digital library and data protection protocols.
16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Media, Communication, Journalism, Social Sciences 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

• A minimum of 2 years (four years for Bachelor’s degree holders) of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related area;
• Experience in advanced data visualization and information design skills; and,
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergencies (complex or natural disasters) is required.

Skills

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with various partners and stakeholders, including media focal points; and,
• Advanced knowledge in Adobe programs.

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 French, and/or languages in the East and Horn of Africa 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 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.

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 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 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.