Position Title: Public Information Officer

Duty Station: Bamako, Mali

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG

Type of Appointment: Special short-term ungraded, 6 months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 10 November 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.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context:

Launched in Bamako in July 2024 by the IOM and the Government of Mali, with the support of the Kingdom of Belgium, the pilot initiative: “Nexus Environment-Migration in Mali and Strengthening Data on Internal and Cross-Border Displacement in the Sahel,” aims to support the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and programs on migration and climate change. It particularly targets internally displaced persons, migrants, host communities, and agricultural and transhumant populations.

The project’s activities will focus on three main interventions: improving access to data and knowledge on climate and mobility; strengthening the resilience of internally displaced persons, migrants, and host communities through professional training; and supporting agropastoral and transhumant communities and local authorities in preventing and managing conflicts related to transhumance and the sharing of natural resources in a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive manner. A communication plan has been developed to enhance the visibility of the project.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of Programme and Liaison Coordinator, and in close coordination with the Programme Support Unit (PSU) and the Regional Communications and Media Officer in Dakar and technical guidance of Media and Communication Unit in IOM Headquarters (HQ), the Public Information Officer is responsible for implementing a communication plan for this project and ensuring the visibility of project activities in Mali and support the visibility of project activities in Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Guinea and Senegal.

The Public Information Officer will also be responsible to develop and implement a public information plan to promote IOM Mali initiatives and interventions. This includes supporting the formulation and implementation of creative communication strategies to increase the visibility of IOM Mali’s work and to promote an accurate narrative on migration with partners in the government, donor community, media, the UN as well as the general public.

The Public Information Officer ensures the quality and consistency of the media and public outreach in Mali, including by providing direct strategic communications and media advice to the mission and managing the external communications content of for the mission. The Public Information Officer will coordinate the production of visibility materials and the development of common media messages and “Lines to Take” for the use of IOM staff in Mali in coordination with IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa and HQ. Moreover, the Public Information Officer will plan, organize, and contribute to the development of public events, media campaigns and act as a liaison focal point for all local/international journalists. In addition, the Public Information Officer will be responsible to monitor and following up on compliance with donor specific requirements in terms of communication and visibility.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Based on the information gathered from Programme Manager (PM) of the Nexus Environment-Migration initiative’s, regularly draft press releases and other public information products, both in writing and audio-visual formats, for international and national audiences, as well as for the Organizational press notes, global communication initiatives etc.
2. Monitor the implementation of the Nexus Environment-Migration initiative’s activities, in accordance with the 2024-2028 country strategy of IOM Mali and in line with the mission’s updated communication strategy.
3. Provide creative inputs for the design and development of interactive, visual communications and digital products on IOM Mali’s priority areas for different platforms, as part of regular external communications initiatives and outreach.
4. Work with different programme teams in IOM Mali to build an accurate narrative on migration in the public domain, including in local, regional and international media. This, in line with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) as well as broader United Nations System agreements and frameworks – all supporting the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the need to deliver on the SDGs.
5. Prepare in close coordination with the PSU team relevant public information documents, materials, event organization and support to ensure a strong and continuous liaison with the Government and donors.
6. Ensure that the narrative on migration and messaging included in public-facing content is consistent with the strategic aims of the Organization.
7. Lead IOM Mali’s liaison on communication work with/to the UN and other agencies based in Mali, engaging in partnerships with the UN agencies, other international organizations, as well as media outlets based in Mali in the field of communications.
8. Support effective liaison with the UN Country Communication and Media Group and other relevant actors, develop media messages on key migration issues, provide editorial and technical assistance to field missions in all aspects of media and communications management, and monitor the media and public outreach carried out by IOM Mali.
9. Develop/produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials for creating visibility and promote IOM Mali initiatives and interventions.
10. Organise awareness-raising campaigns as and when required by the programmes in coordination with Project Manager (PM).
11. Maintain a national media contact database and proactively foster relations with key regional media actors.
12. Act as media focal point when required, taking a lead role in the preparation of “Media Lines to Take” for emerging issues including cross-border contexts and crisis/emergency communications.
13. Promote the activities of IOM Mali by providing timely, accurate responses to media-related enquiries in close coordination with the Media and Communications Division in HQ and Regional Communications and Media Officer in RO Dakar.
14. Ensure the high quality and consistency of media and public outreach for IOM Mali by building the capacity of national staff in order to provide strategic communications/media advice and support to the CoM and DCoM.
15. Develop quarterly newsletters for IOM Mali and provide inputs to IOM’s global newsletters and other communication outputs and support internal communication on IOM’s work, including by updating the relevant intranet sections.
16. Oversee the development of visibility materials and ensure compliance with donor specific requirements in terms of communication and visibility.
17. Lead the preparation of monthly and yearly report (such as i.e. IOM Mali Annual Report on activities, factsheets etc.) to increase the visibility of IOM Mali’s work.
18. Undertake travel on duty to sub-offices in Mali to support media outreach, gather material for multi-media projects, provide tailor-made media training to individuals (and teams) as required.
19. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Journalism, Mass Media Communications, Public Information, International relations, International Development, Political or Social Sciences, Migration Studies, Law, 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 international journalism and public information;
• Experience in community engagement and digital awareness raising;
• Experience in the production of visibility materials and graphic design;
• Experience in dealing with diverse counterparts from government and UN agencies and civil society and think-tank an advantage; and,
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural setting.

Skills

• Familiarity with international organizations;
• Reporting, writing and creation of multi-media content; and,
• Social media content creation, publication and impact assessment.

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 other local languages 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

• 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

• 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.

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.