Consultant – Media and Communications Officer (Remote)

Consultant

Overview

Lead strategic communication and donor visibility efforts for IOM Nigeria.

You have:

• Masters degree in Media, Communications/Journalism, Political or Social Science, Law, International Relations or Business Administration
• Five to seven years of relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, visibility, and public information within international or humanitarian contexts
• Proven experience developing communication strategies, digital campaigns, and donor visibility frameworks
• Experience managing partnerships, media engagement, and resource mobilization communications
• Experience in multimedia content development and storytelling
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills in English
• Excellent planning, organizational, and multitasking abilities
• Good communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and within multicultural teams
• Proficiency in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, etc.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Project Context and Scope

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and in close coordination with the Head of Innovative Programme Support Unit (PSU), the Media and Communications Officer (Consultant) will work closely with programme managers, communications focal points, and the Regional Office to ensure that all communication efforts are fully aligned with IOM's institutional communications framework, donor visibility requirements, and the IOM Nigeria Strategic Plan (2025–2028). The consultant will play a lead role in strengthening IOM Nigeria's visibility, donor engagement, and media presence at the national level, supporting both strategic communication and resource mobilization priorities

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Media and Communication

Qualifications

Education

• Masters degree, preferably in Media, Communications/Journalism, Political or Social Science, Law, International Relations or Business Administration or,

• University degree in the above fields with Five to seven years of relevant professional experience.

  Experience

• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, visibility, and public information within international or humanitarian contexts.

• Proven experience developing communication strategies, digital campaigns, and donor visibility frameworks.
• Experience managing partnerships, media engagement, and resource mobilization communications.
• Experience in multimedia content development and storytelling.
• Prior experience in leading teams and building communication capacities in multicultural settings.

• Experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, or media organizations is an advantage.

  Skills

• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills in English.

• Excellent planning, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and within multicultural teams. High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility, drive for results, creative thinking; and,

• Proficiency in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud software such as Photoshop, lightroom, Premiere, etc.

  Languages

  IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

  Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

  Travel required

• Readiness to travel within Nigeria and to field locations as required.

  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 three 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.

  Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
3. IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
4. 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.
5. 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.

6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

   For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks

• Assess current communications practices, tools, and content gaps within IOM Nigeria and recommend improvements.
• Developing a national resource mobilization and partnerships communications plan aligned with IOM global visibility and branding standards.
• Establish a system for content production, donor visibility, partnership coordination and proactive media engagement.
• Strengthen IOM Nigeria's presence across digital and national media platforms to enhance public awareness and stakeholder engagement across all programmatic areas

Core Responsibilities and Tasks

Conduct a communication landscape assessment

1. Review existing communication products, platforms, and workflows at IOM Nigeria to assess effectiveness, gaps, and alignment with IOM's global communications framework.
2. Analyze the visibility requirements of key donors, partners, and government counterparts and align communications to support resource mobilization and partnership visibility.
3. Conduct stakeholder mapping to identify target audiences, communication priorities, and key visibility partnership opportunities at national and sub-national levels.
4. Review IOM Nigeria's media relations, digital presence, and internal communications tools to inform the new approach.

Develop a strategic communications and partnerships visibility framework

1. Design a dynamic and flexible 12–18-month communications strategy to support resource mobilization strategy that supports IOM Nigeria's strategic plan and aligns with global visibility standards.
2. Define key messages and value propositions for IOM Nigeria's work across humanitarian, development, and migration programming, including on donor engagement, visibility and resource mobilization.
3. Establish a framework for donor visibility and media engagement that enhances IOM's profile with partners and government counterparts.
4. Recommend actions and performance indicators to track communication results and impact.

Strengthen digital and media Presence

1. Lead the development of and provide guidance on communications products of IOM Nigeria's social media presence (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube) in line with IOM's digital guidelines and the developed resource mobilization and partnerships engagement plan.
2. Develop a digital content calendar and workflow, ensuring consistent visibility of IOM's programs, results, and partnerships.
3. Produce at least three flagship multimedia stories showcasing IOM Nigeria's impact and human interest stories aligned with donor priorities.
4. Build and Maintain relationships with national media outlets and identify opportunities for strategic features and opinion pieces that raise IOM Nigeria's profile.

Build communications systems and tools

1. Review existing communications and visibility toolkit including templates for factsheets, social media posts, press releases, event banners, and newsletters.
2. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for communication flow including with resource mobilization and program colleagues for internal content approval, branding, and donor visibility compliance.
3. Establish digital asset management bank to store and organize photo, video, and story archives for future use by IOM and partners.
4. Advise on internal communication improvements to strengthen coordination between thematic units and field offices.

Capacity strengthening

1. Propose an appropriate structure and staffing plan for the Communications Unit.
2. Conduct a training for communications focal points and program teams on storytelling, donor visibility, and social media engagement for resource mobilization and partnerships.
3. Develop a quick reference guide on communications best practices for staff and implementing partners.
4. Provide mentoring support to junior communication staff and focal points during the consultancy period.

Support Resource Mobilization and Strategic Positioning

1. Collaborate with program leads to align communications outputs with donor priorities and proposal narratives.
2. Develop targeted communication products including partnership briefs, investments cases, donor briefs, key message notes, and visibility packs to support donor engagement and fundraising efforts.
3. Identify high-visibility events, partnerships, and advocacy moments where IOM Nigeria can be positioned as a thought leader.
4. Strengthen the mission's profile within the UN Country Team and government coordination through joint communication efforts.

Deliverables and Workplan

Month 1: Conduct a communication assessment leading to:

• Comprehensive assessment report of IOM Nigeria's communication products, platforms, workflows, and alignment with IOM global standards.
• Analysis of donor and partnerships visibility opportunities, with recommendations to integrate communications into resource-mobilization efforts.
• 12 month communications and partnerships visibility plan supporting resource mobilization and aligned with IOM Nigeria's Strategic Plan.
• 12 months content calendar, outlining key calendar moments, visibility opportunities, planned engagements and thought leadership positioning ideas in line with the Mission's priorities

Month 2: Strategic framework and systems setup:

• Develop a key messages and multimedia content hub (core talking points, image and video archive.
• Based on the Mission's priorities and the communication assessment landscape, propose a communications team structure and resources needed.
• Conduct at least one high impact storytelling visit with deliverables spanning social media, website, media and thought leadership positioning.
• Develop a tiered recognition framework for partnership/donor visibility designed to showcase impact, collaboration, and attract more funding.

Month 3: Implementation, capacity, and positioning

• Digital content calendar and workflow for consistent visibility across channels
• At least three flagship multimedia stories (video/photo/text) showcasing IOM Nigeria's impact and supporting partnerships and resource mobilization.
• Training workshop for communications focal points and program teams on storytelling, donor /partner visibility, and social-media engagement.

• Ongoing day to day support to the communication and program teams.

  Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment in alignment with the agreed-on deliverables.

• Timely and high-quality completion of deliverables.
• Alignment of communication outputs with IOM's global standards.
• Positive feedback from donors and partners.
• Improved visibility of IOM Nigeria across platforms.
• Effective internal coordination and compliance with branding standards

Payment terms and conditions

• Work will be charged on a monthly basis
• The consultant will be paid a flat rate of USD 8000 per month
• Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion of each month's deliverables and submission of a monthly progress report detailing the outputs achieved.
• The monthly report must be submitted to the Chief of Mission (CoM) for review and approval.
• Upon CoM's approval of the report, payment for the respective month will be authorized and released.
• Payments will be made on a monthly basis, subject to satisfactory performance and timely submission of deliverables.

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Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 7 months ago - Source: iom.int