Media & Communications Associate

Volunteering Communications & PR IT & Telecom

Overview

Assist in communication and strategic efforts for IOM Lao PDR.

You have:

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in public relations, strategic communications, marketing, mass media, graphic design, journalism, business development, or other relevant areas.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture would be highly regarded.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The incumbent will assist in all communication and strategic all aspects of IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s multi-dimensioned communications effort through strategic communications approaches that aims to raising awareness in migration, promoting safe and regular pathways, and normalizing migrants in the country. The assignment shall support the communications implementation across IOM’s portfolios from migration policy and governance to labour mobility to counter trafficking in persons under the direct supervision of the Media and Communications Assistant.

Under the direct supervision of the Media and Communications Assistant, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support to draft press release, press note/ briefing, project factsheets, PowerPoint presentation, meeting minutes, newsletters, awareness raising materials and other materials.
• Assist in developing human-interest stories, Information, Education and Communications (IEC) materials and awareness raising materials across portfolios (Labour Migration and Human Development, Counter-trafficking and Migration Health etc) for in-ternal and external engagement, including social media visuals, graphic and video contents. • Support in managing institutional social media accounts, including drafting, creating content, and maintaining social media contents. • Provide support on communications, photography, video production, and editing for IOM activities across the organizational portfolios. • Enhance existing internal documentation and knowledge management through various platform on IOM’s mandate in compliance with the requirements at HQ, regional, and country level. • Support in ensuring extensive media coverage in coordination with relevant units and stakeholders in organizing awareness raising activities. • Assist IOM or UN Communications Group (UNCG) activities as needed. • Support in reviewing all communication material developed and ensure compliance with IOM and donor branding guidelines across portfolios. • Engage in duty travel related to programme activities, as needed. • Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenev-er technically possible.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Managing Performance • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Technological Awareness • Working in Teams

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in public relations, strategic communications, marketing, mass media, graphic design, journalism, business development, or other relevant areas. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Vientiane, the capital city of Lao PDR is a relatively quiet and safe duty station with a low crime rate. It offers a relaxed pace of life. The city has a topical monsoon climate with distinct wet (May to October) and dry (November to April) seasons. Temperatures are generally warm year-round. Accommodation options are widely available and range from basic apartments to modern serviced units. Electricity and water supply are generally reliable in the capital. The cost of living is moderate, with affordable access to fresh food, restaurants, and basic household goods. Imported goods can be expensive. Mobile phone coverage and internet services are available and improving, though quality can vary across providers. Medical facilities in Vientiane are adequate for common conditions, with several private clin-ics and international-standard hospitals. For serious medical conditions, evacuation to Bang-kok or another regional hub may be necessary. Banking services, including ATMs and cur-rency exchange, are readily available, though cash is preferred in some rural areas. Cultural awareness is important: Lao society is conservative and values respect, humility, and social harmony. Dress modestly in professional and public settings. Alcohol consumption is common in social contexts but should be approached with sensitivity, particularly when en-gaging with government and community counterparts. Lao PDR is a unique country and this UN Volunteer assignment offers an enriching and re-warding experience. It requires a high level of cultural sensitivity, personal initiative, and commitment to contributing to sustainable development through migration governance. Flexi-bility and adaptability are essential in navigating a developing country context.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: unv.org