Regional Media and Communications Officer (P)

Job Identification (Reference Number): 15856
Position Title: Regional Media and Communications Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Bangkok
Duty Station Country: Thailand
Grade: P-4
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: 23 July 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. External female candidates
3. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Organizational Context and Scope 

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Staff, direct supervision of the Regional Director and secondary reporting line to the Director, Department of Media and Communications (DMC) at Headquarters (HQ), the Regional Media and Communications Officer will be responsible for planning, leading, developing and implementing a workplan, programme and outputs to address the media and communication needs of IOM in the Region. This includes the formulation and implementation of creative communication strategies to raise awareness of IOM and its work and promoting an accurate narrative on migration among key stakeholders, including the media, United Nations (UN) partners, government counterparts and the general public in the Region. 

Regional Media and Communications Officer will authoritatively and substantially contribute to the Regional Office’s overall advocacy and ensure the quality and consistency of IOM’s media and communications in the Region by providing editorial services and strategic advice to the RD, RO staff, Chiefs of Mission, Heads of Office, and County Office media focal points. 

The successful candidate will direct the production of RO public information and visibility materials and work with DMC counterparts worldwide to develop common media messaging for use by IOM staff globally. 

Strategic Communications 

1. Plan, develop and manage the Regional Office Media and Communication Strategy and activities. 
2. Lead the formulation and implementation of an Outreach and Communications Strategy to raise awareness of IOM’s work and promote an accurate narrative on migration among media, UN, government and other key partners in the Region. 
3. Work with the RO, Country Offices, and DMC to develop common media messaging and lines to take on key migration issues and reputationally sensitive in the Region and globally. 

Strategic Engagement 

1. Ensure the quality and consistency of IOM’s media and communications in the Region by providing editorial services and strategic advice to the RD, RO staff, Chiefs of Mission, programme managers and media focal points. 
2. Provide timely high-quality verbal and written responses to all media queries that fall within the RO’s remit and flag and advise on reputationally sensitive media reports to DMC without delay. 
3. Act as an IOM Regional Spokesperson – particularly during the initial high visibility phase of emergencies – or when requested by the Regional Director or a Chief of Mission. 
4. Network with regionally-based international and local media, notably through establishing communication channels, organizing media coverage, providing briefings and interviews, participating in and organizing events at the foreign press association. 
5. Work with the regionally-based regional media and communications units of partner agencies, notably through the UN Communications Group (UNCG). 

Technical Support to Regional and Country Offices 

1. Provide advice and guidance to Country Offices within the RO in the hiring and training of media focal points to improve the quality of their output for media and awareness raising efforts as well as their use of in-house tools such as the Media Library and DMC’s SharePoint collaboration space etc. 
2. Advocate the work of the RO and its specialist staff through traditional and online media, including the regional social media accounts. 
3. Proactively support and guidance for the rollout of IOM’s media migration training toolkit and online platform and updating and adapting materials to the regional context. 
4. Build a Multi-Media Technical Team at the RO that provides sustainable support to project-based communications needs of missions. 
5. Undertake regular duty travel to Country Offices in the Region to enhance media outreach, gather material for multi-media projects and provide media training to individuals and teams as required. 
6. Liaise with MCD colleagues globally through DMC’s weekly teleconferences and share relevant information with regional media focal points. 
7. Provide regional support and guidance to HQ-led awareness-raising, community engagement, fundraising and other campaigns, including the Global Migration Film Festival. 

Tools and Knowledge Management 

1. Promote IOM’s Information Campaign Guidelines across the Region while providing technical support for such campaigns. 
2. Ensure all multimedia materials used in the public domain have the necessary consent forms on file, including digital consent forms through use of Community Response App. 
3. Ensure appropriate gender equality and empowerment is an integral component of communications materials in the Region. 
4. Perform such other such duties as may be assigned. 

Required Qualifications and Experience 

Education

• Master’s degree in Media and Communications, Public Information, Journalism 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

• Demonstrated experience and high competency as a writer, editor in English; 
• International journalism; 
• Public information (ideally in the UN system); 
• Experience working on migration and migration-related issues; and, 
• Familiarity or experience working with IOM and the UN system. 

Skills

• Excellent English writing and editing skills; 
• Knowledge of online communications (web and social media); 
• Knowledge of media production and commissioning; 
• Photography and video shooting and editing skills an advantage; 
• Knowledge of migration; 
• Knowledge of graphic design, web, social media and video production; 
• Familiarity with international organizations; and, 
• Familiarity with migration-related issues in the Region. 

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 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 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. 

Notes

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, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will 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, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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