Position Title :  Regional Public Information Officer

Duty Station  :   Nairobi, Kenya

Classification  :   Professional Staff, Grade P4

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

Estimated Start Date  :   As soon as possible

Closing Date  :   12 September 2019

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; Bahamas; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; El Salvador; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Libya; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; 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 Regional Director in the Regional Office (RO) in Nairobi and in collaboration with the Head of the Media and Communications Division in Geneva, the successful candidate will be responsible for contributing to the formulation and implementation of communications strategies to promote IOM’ programmes and policies and raise awareness of migration issues throughout the Region of East and Horn of Africa.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Develop a planned, strategic approach to achieving IOM visibility across the region and globally via communication activities and campaigns by optimizing outreach via media, social media and other computer-mediated tools.

2. Coordinate regional activities and plans of communication that highlight the value of migration and contributions of migrants to countries of origin, transit and destination; help change negative perceptions of migration.

3. Support IOM Country Offices in the Region in developing national communication strategies in order to achieve their objectives and position IOM with key local audiences and enablers among government, civil society, partners and the general public.

4. Gather, prepare, edit and disseminate public information materials on IOM activities throughout the region, both in writing and verbally in English.

5. Write, edit and produce public information material for IOM’s bi-weekly press briefing notes, website and social media.

6. Advise IOM Chiefs of Mission, Media Focal Points and other staff in the region in a timely manner on media, public information, social media, and event management and visibility issues.

7. Develop and strengthen links with international and national media outlets in the region to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of IOM’s programmes and policies

8. Produce a strong stream of content in the form of human-interest stories from the field, photographs and video clips for an international audience.

9. Collaborate with media counterparts in governmental and non-governmental partner agencies. Participate in national and regional UN communications groups.

10. Ensure timely and efficient publication and distribution of media content via social media, on the global website iom.int, RO Nairobi website and via other IOM media channels, websites etc.

11. Process media enquiries being received and be available for interview on print, radio and television.

12. Provide detailed ongoing guidance and talking points as requested to colleagues in the RO, country offices and headquarters regarding ongoing media requests and interview opportunities.

13. Build the media and communications skills of missions in the region through training and support in the recruitment of qualified communications staff.

14. Initiate and manage outreach events designed to raise IOM’s visibility in the region. Represent IOM at events that contribute to the Organization’s visibility.

15. Promote IOM’s digital communications tools to collect informed consent and video stories to IOM Country Offices and partner agencies.

16. Provide support/cover to Headquarters (HQs) and Africa Region Media and Communications Division (MCD) units, as required, particularly during leave and TDY periods.

17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Journalism, Mass Media Communications, Public Information 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

• Extensive experience in international journalism, including coverage of international organizations preferably in Horn of Africa;

• Excellent skills in drafting, editing and graphic design;

• Strong online communication and social media skills;

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

• Previous experience in video production and editing;

• Familiarity with international organizations;

• Advanced linguistic abilities (including writing and editing) in English;

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as strategic and creative thinking; and,

• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate administrative matters.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

1 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 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

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.

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 12 September 2019  at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

Posting period:  12.09.2019

No Fees:

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.