Media and Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, saving lives and protecting people on the move. The organization drives solutions to displacement and facilitates pathways for regular migration while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on the needs of migrants and the challenges they face.

Job Overview:
The Media and Communications Officer will work under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Conakry, Guinea, and will collaborate directly with Programme/Project Managers. This role involves close coordination with the Media and Communications Unit at the Regional Office of West and Central Africa in Dakar and the Media and Communications Division in Geneva. The officer will assist in implementing internal and external communication and media-related activities for IOM in Conakry. Given the rise in irregular migration and the abuses faced by migrants, particularly in Libya, the scale of IOM's response in West Africa is expanding significantly. The successful candidate will support the preparation and coordination of communications outputs from migrants who have been returned voluntarily to their countries of origin, sharing these stories with communities, the media, and the general public, with a focus on raising awareness in Conakry.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Media and Communications Officer will be responsible for facilitating the coordination of the awareness-raising strategy in Guinea. This includes recommending and organizing outreach activities, assisting the Chief of Mission in promoting IOM's image, and increasing awareness of IOM activities in the country. The officer will inform the Chief of Mission and Programme Managers on media and communication issues and participate in inter-agency media and communication working groups to enhance information flow across agencies. They will also contribute to designing and preparing information campaigns for various target groups, draft cost projections and timelines for executing strategies, and utilize social media tools to increase awareness of IOM's work. The officer will participate in key events and workshops, undertake field duty travel to acquire promotional materials, ensure multimedia materials have necessary consent forms, and liaise with the Media and Communication Division in Headquarters to coordinate news stories and campaigns. Additionally, they will assist with regular reporting, infographics, and situation reports, contribute to developing IOM's communications strategy regarding irregular migration, and ensure gender parity in all communications. The officer will also coordinate media outreach with the UN Humanitarian Communications team and develop social mobilization strategies for information campaigns in Ebola-affected areas.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Information, or a related field from an accredited institution, along with two years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a University degree in the same fields with four years of relevant professional experience is acceptable. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Candidates should have experience in media and communications, particularly in writing and reporting in international and crisis contexts, and practical experience in multitasking and prioritizing work independently.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Information, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Candidates with a University degree in these fields must have four years of relevant professional experience. The educational institutions must be recognized by the UNESCO World Higher Education Database to ensure the credibility of the qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have experience in media and communications, with a strong emphasis on previous writing and reporting experience in international and crisis contexts. Candidates should demonstrate practical experience in multitasking, prioritizing tasks, and working independently, showcasing their ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and French is required, both oral and written. Additionally, a working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) and/or a West African language is considered an advantage. The proficiency in required languages will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile, and any offer made to the candidate is subject to funding confirmation. This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in a similar position for a period of 24 months. Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, as well as accreditation and any residency or visa requirements. The vacancies close at 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland, on the respective closing date, and late applications will not be accepted. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. IOM is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children and conducts reference checks and background verification to ensure candidates have no record of misconduct. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards at all times. IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process and only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system.