Position Title: Communications Officer

Duty Station: Juba, South Sudan

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: 18 December 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; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; 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; Saint Lucia; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

IOM in South Sudan has a broad range of programming centered around three broad areas: Humanitarian Coordination and Support; Humanitarian response and Resilience; and Peacebuilding, Transition, and Development. Humanitarian Coordination and support includes leading/co-leading the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFI) Clusters, Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and management of WASH and Shelter and NFI Core-pipelines, Humanitarian Hubs and common transport services. Humanitarian response and Resilience includes CCCM, WASH, Shelter & NFI, Health, Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Mental health and Psychosocial support and the Management of a Rapid Response Fund.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the Communication Officer will be responsible for coordinating and implementing communications, public information and media-related activities and strategies that promote an accurate narrative on IOM South Sudan programmes in the media, among the UN, Donor and other IOM key partners as well as the general public.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Participate in the implementation of IOM South Sudan internal and external communications strategies, in line with the Organization’s guidelines and donor requirements, helping to promote an accurate narrative on IOM South Sudan response activities and other issues central to IOM with the media, public, donors, the UN and other key partners.
2. Contribute to the development and implementation of project visibility and communication plans in line with donor requirements, while maintaining contact with donor communications focal points and providing them with regular updates and information.
3. Draft and/or coordinate the preparation of specific communications content produced by IOM South Sudan in a timely manner, including stories, blogs, video and social media content.
4. Participate in the implementation of communications campaigns at a national, regional, and international level, including for relevant UN Days.
5. Maintain IOM South Sudan online presence, including through its social media accounts and website, with a view to increasing the impact of IOM South Sudan digital outreach.
6. Draft preliminary responses to press/media requests, assist in organizing media coverage, briefings and interviews, and maintain an updated database with contacts of journalists.
7. Draft specific elements of key messages, statements, talking points and other relevant background documents for IOM use.
8. Supervise the work of the graphic design team for the development of internal and external products, including donor updates, infographics and situation reports, facilitating high quality outputs that follow IOM brand guidelines.
9. Liaise with UN Country Team Communication 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.
10. Contribute technical inputs for the development of training materials and deliver specific training to team members, other units and field teams.
11. 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.
12. Check that audio and visual media content being collected by IOM South Sudan includes appropriate informed consent and is captured and stored according to the organization’s digital library and data protection protocols, bringing issues to the immediate attention of the supervisor.
13. 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.
14. Perform such other related 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 two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in coordinating, supporting and/or implementing digital communications and social media activities for an organization;
• Experience in corporate writing and editing;
• Experience in supporting donor visibility;
• Experience in liaising with the media, preferably in the region;
• Experience in humanitarian communications; and,
• Experience working in the region and/or in an emergency setting an advantage.

Skills

• Sound knowledge and understanding of migration issues, including the importance of promoting social cohesion and migrant inclusion;
• Excellent liaison and networking skills with government agencies, donors, and INGOs/NGOs;
• A high level of personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility, drive for results, respect for diversity, creative thinking;
• Ability to establish priorities and undertake assigned tasks with minimum supervision and maintain composure under pressure;
• Ability to manage workload within the general schedule of work, instructions, and standard practices;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment;
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to prepare and present clear and concise technical reports in English in timely manner; and,
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools like (word-processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail).

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 Arabic 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.

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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

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 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.