Job Identification (Reference Number): 14218
Position Title: Communications Officer (Campaigns)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 16 April 2025
Introduction
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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
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, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Context
IOM’s Department of Media and Communications (DMC) is comprised of experienced communications professionals based in Geneva and Manila.
The team provides advice and support on media and public information issues to IOM Headquarters (HQ) and Global, Regional and Country Offices worldwide. It is responsible for direct media relations with UN-accredited Geneva press corps and others, administers IOM’s global social media accounts and website and manages content submitted from around the world to be published on those global platforms, oversees institutional branding and initiates and manages global information campaigns.
Under the overall supervision of the Director of DMC and the direct supervision of the Editor in Chief, the Communications Officer (Campaigns) will be responsible and accountable for designing, developing and implementing global campaigns to support IOM’s strategic objectives. The incumbent will develop impactful communication and advocacy campaigns, strengthening public awareness of IOM’s work, and will create clear communication channels, ensuring consistent messaging, and enhancing information flow between Headquarters (HQ), Global Offices (GOs), Regional Offices (ROs), and Country Offices (COs). The position is essential in fostering a cohesive communication strategy that aligns with the Organization’s strategic objectives and supports operational efficiency.
Design and develop global campaigns that align with IOM’s strategic priorities, addressing topics such as migration, humanitarian response, and policy advocacy.Contribute to the development of campaign frameworks, goals, and messaging strategies to maximize impact across diverse audiences, including the general public, donors, member states, and thematic partners.Coordinate with thematic divisions, COs, GOs, and regional communication teams to ensure campaign alignment and consistency across IOM’s programmes and regions.Oversee the execution of multi-channel campaigns, utilizing digital media, print, broadcast, and direct engagement to help enhance IOM’s visibility and public awareness of migration issues. Collaborate with the online, multimedia and news teams to develop creative content and assets that strengthen campaign messaging. Coordinate joint campaign efforts with internal and external stakeholders including other UN agencies, NGOs, and international organizations to amplify shared messages and reach wider audiences. Develop and implement mechanisms for monitoring campaign performance, tracking metrics to assess engagement, reach, and impact. Analyze campaign results and produce reports to inform ongoing strategy development, capturing lessons learned and best practices. Facilitate media relations by establishing and maintaining relationships with journalists, coordinating press releases, and managing media inquiries.Identify opportunities for effective communications and campaigns around key international moments, IOM response, and other moments.Perform such other duties as may be assigned.Education
Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Development, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
Three years of experience in driving a message or a campaign for a Un agency, NPO or other civil society organizations;Experience and understanding of what drives news coverage and influences policymakers; specific media relations experience an additional asset;Experience developing institutional strategic documents;Experience in dealing with diverse counterparts from government and/or UN agencies and civil society; and,Experience in the field of migration issues, including operational and field experience, would be an advantage.Skills
Proven track record of managing or providing oversight on a successful communication campaign.Demonstrated track record of performing excellently under pressure and adhering to strict deadlines while maintaining a sophisticated understanding of organizational and external contexts;Excellent general understanding of migration and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers and other related issues; familiarity with the UN system in general and/or with IOM’s mission in particular are an asset; and,Excellent skills in writing for a diverse range of platforms and publications.Languages
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the the three languages.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments
Required Competencies
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
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.Notes
Open to internal candidates and previous IOM employees only.
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.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, 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.
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.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies