The Media and Communications Team at the Regional Office (RO) plays a pivotal role in supporting the RO, its country missions, and Headquarters (HQ) in all facets of media relations and communications. This includes developing and implementing communication strategies, drafting and disseminating press releases and media briefs, managing digital and social media platforms, coordinating media coverage of key events, and ensuring consistent and impactful messaging across all channels. The team also provides technical guidance and capacity-building support to missions to strengthen their visibility and public engagement efforts at the regional and national levels.
The consultant will give technical support to country missions in media relations, including editing and reviewing press materials, drafting op-eds, and leading media-related planning.
Responsibilities
- In coordination with the supervisor, contribute to the creation and rollout of innovative communications products, including podcasts and influencer collaborations.
- Update media taking points and communication materials, in line with agreed public messaging.
- Contribute to donor visibility and resource mobilization efforts through strategic storytelling, media outreach and the development of compelling communications products.
- Monitor media coverage and preparing summaries to support communications planning. Oversee the preparation of the monthly RO newsletter.
- Organize outreach events to raise IOM’s visibility in the region and promote positive perceptions of migration.
- Develop and contribute to high-quality text stories, photos, video and audio content for donor submissions, IOM websites and social media platforms. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
- Provide specialist advice to promote key activities, events and international days.
- Offer day-to-day media and communications technical support and guidance to different missions across the MENA region.
- Coordinate the website, social media channels and other communications projects.
- Ensure proper daily coordination work, news reporting, newsletters and other internal communications responsibilities.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with regional and international media outlets to support accurate and timely coverage of IOM priorities by keeping journalists’ contact lists (national and regional) updated.
- Build capacity of media teams across the MENA region.
- Coordinate and implement capacity-building activities for media and journalism professionals in different thematic areas.
- Develop and disseminate of appropriate communications and media resources for target communities in the specific regional project context.
Qualifications
Performance Indicators:
- Update the regional website and social media platforms with fresh content at least twice a week, and ensure a monthly internal newsletter is distributed, reflecting strategic priorities and ongoing activities.
- Ensure that key communications outputs are available in both English and Arabic, maintaining a high standard of translation accuracy and cultural relevance.
- Respond to crisis/emergency communications needs within 24–48 hours, ensuring timely dissemination of relevant messaging across all channels and platforms.
- Maintain and regularly update a media contact database whilst ensuring ongoing engagement with key regional and national journalists.
- Implement a basic communications monitoring system (using analytics tools or media tracking) and report on monthly trends, successes, and areas for improvement.
- Ensure that all key regional news and updates are published within 48 hours of clearance, maintaining an up-to-date and engaging regional website presence.
- Submit monthly communications reports summarizing key activities, media coverage, digital analytics, and outcomes, shared with relevant internal stakeholders.
Education:
University degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, International Relations or a related field. Demonstrated experience in media relations, strategic communications and content development in the MENA region. Excellent drafting and editing skills in English; knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.
