Apply: IOM Media and Communications Officer

By Gift Ejeh Ojima
December 18, 2023

Deadline: 27 December, 2023

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM ) is seeking to fill the position of Media and Communications Officer.

IOM is the leading inter-governmental organisation in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the implementation of the Country Office’s (CO) external and internal communication strategies in line with the organisation’s strategic communications priorities and programme/project-specific visibility strategies to advance IOM Somalia’s work among the UN and other key partners in Somalia and beyond
Act as a spokesperson for the CO, take a lead role in the preparation of media-related content on current and emerging issues and support the preparation of media lines to take in crisis situations by the Regional Media and Communications Officer and relevant colleagues at MCU/HQ
Provide technical advice to the senior management team (SMT) on strategic communications issues, including sensitive internal and external communications
Ensure the high quality and consistency of media and public outreach for the CO by building the capacity of and providing strategic communications, media advice and support to the COM and SMT
Contribute to project development and reporting by incorporating considerations relating to communication outputs and relevant budgets
Manage visibility budgets and identify priority areas to fulfil visibility requirements
Enhance CO’s communications capacity by developing training materials, providing training and capacity building to the unit’s staff and other relevant teams; provide advice and support to the field teams on media and communications management
Supervise all external communications content produced by the CO, including stories, blogs, videos and social media content
Provide timely editorial advice in consultation with the Regional Media and Communications Officer on what social media content is best suited for publication on national, regional or global IOM platforms
Support high-profile visibility events and assist the Chief of Mission in preparing to represent the CO, including arranging media interviews, reviewing speeches and preparing media lines to take
Develop and contribute content to communications campaigns at a national, regional and international level, including for relevant UN Days
Manage the CO’s online presence, including through its social media accounts and website, to increase the impact of CO’s digital outreach
Support the mission’s accountability to affected populations by providing communications support and advice to IOM Somalia’s community engagement efforts
Strengthen IOM’s links with media in-country and opinion leaders, to promote the work of the CO; maintain media contact lists, coordinate responses to media requests; prepare timely press releases/media packages, and organise press briefings, media training, and partnerships, among other relevant activities
Engage with the UN Country team’s communication group and other relevant actors and lead in developing media messages on key issues by working together on campaigns and issues of joint concern.
Ensure that there is appropriate gender, diversity and inclusion awareness in all IOM external communications.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience, or,
University degree in one of the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
Experience as a writer, editor, and content producer/manager in international Journalism and/or public information roles (preferably in the region)
Experience in digital communications and social media, corporate writing and editing
Experience in managing donor visibility
Experience with media liaison
Experience in humanitarian communications
Experience working in the region and/or in an emergency setting (an advantage)
Experience in working in the UN or other international organisations
Skills in graphic design, particularly using Adobe programmes (an advantage)
Skills in photography and videography, both shooting and editing (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
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional background