Senior Media and Communications Officer (P4) Dakar, Senegal

Position Title: Senior Media and Communications Officer

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 16 September 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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate 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); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; 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 of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director in the Regional Office (RO) in Dakar, and in collaboration with the Director of the Media and Communications Department in Geneva, the Senior Media and Communications Officer 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 West and Central Africa.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Develop a planned, strategic approach and strategy 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, aligned with the Strategic Plan and Regional Strategy.
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 and French.
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 and create a community of practitioners in the region.
7. Provide day to day supervision of the media and communication team in the RO Dakar office, and give frequent updates to the SMT on emerging migration trends and advice SMT and the Deputy Regional Director on areas of outreach in communication and social media.
8. 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.
9. Produce a strong stream of content in the form of human-interest stories from the field, photographs and video clips for an international audience, and develop and produce content to contribute to celebration for international days throughout the year.
10. Collaborate with media counterparts in governmental and non-governmental partner agencies. Participate in national and regional UN communications groups.
11. Ensure timely and efficient publication and distribution of media content via social media, on the global website iom.int, RO Dakar website and via other IOM media channels, websites etc.
12. Process media enquiries being received and be available for interview on print, radio and television and coordinate responses, among RO and country offices, as required.
13. Provide detailed ongoing guidance, capacity building and talking points as requested to colleagues in the RO, country offices and headquarters regarding ongoing media requests and interview opportunities.
14. Build the media and communications skills of missions in the region through training and support in the recruitment of qualified communications staff.
15. 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.
16. Promote IOM’s digital communications tools to collect informed consent and video stories to IOM Country Offices and partner agencies.
17. Provide support/coverage to Headquarters (HQs) and Regional Media and Communications Division (MCD) units, as required, particularly during leave and TDY periods.
18. 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 West and Central Africa; and,
• Previous experience in video production and editing.

Skills

• 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;
• Familiarity with international organizations;
• Advanced linguistic abilities (including writing and editing) in English and French;
• 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. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Portuguese 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 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 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 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 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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.