Social Communication Officer (Ebola Response)

International Organization for Migration
Closing date: 12 Oct 2014

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Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and 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.

Context:

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Liberia, and the direct supervision of the Senior Medical Coordinator, and particularly within the scope of IOM operations in Liberia including the activities of IOM-assisted Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs), the successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for all external communication with communities living within access perimeter of all ETUs, as well as other external government and non-government partners.

S/he is expected to carry out his/her duties in accordance with the strictest ethical standards, emphasis on the safety of IOM personnel, the building and maintaining of partnership with agencies and Government and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural sensitivities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Carry out national and local social, cultural and anthropological assessments regarding community perceptions of the Ebola disease, including local beliefs and practices related to known Ebola risk factors, as well as perception towards external humanitarian assistance provided to contain the outbreak.
Assess periodically changing trends in community perceptions towards Ebola, including through Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys, and advise the Senior Medical Coordinator on effective approaches, problems encountered, future risks that should be watched closely and make practical recommendations to enhance vigilance in these areas.
Establish IOM’s external communication strategy related to ETUs operations, delineating the objectives and benefits of ETUs for the Liberian people, and the importance of community sukpport to these ETUs.
Identify and establish partnerships with local partners/ NGOs for the purpose of community outreach and dissemination of ETU-related messages.
Monitor and supervise the transmission of agreed external messages on the Ebola outbreak and the work of the ETUs to relatives and friends of ETUs patients.
Liaise with the Government and UN team focal points on social mobilization (i.e. UNICEF, WHO) and coordinate messages, geographical areas of focus.
Liaise with NGOs, CBOs, community leaders (if local NGOs/CBOs are not available), to ensure that targeted communities of ETCs are sensitized to the workings of the ETCs and ensure their buy-in/support to the ETCs.
Develop IEC materials/comics with key messages and ensure distribution to communities in close coordination with NGOs, CBO.
Identify potentials for planning and carrying out mass information campaigns on the work of the ETUs and importance of community participation to fight the Ebola outbreak.
Ensure proper documentation of outreach and campaign activities carried out to support internal and external publication on the social aspects of the Ebola outbreak and presentation of results at national and international meetings in coordination with the IOM Public Information Officer.
Represent IOM at related coordination meetings, liaise and coordinate with national and international health and development assistance authorities, agencies or organizations regarding the socio-cultural aspect of the Ebola outbreak and consequent humanitarian assistance on the affected communities; key counterparts will include Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), International Medical Corps (IMC) other partner agencies among others, and other stakeholders.
Provide periodic technical updates and documentation/ dissemination of best practice materials with regards to implementation of the Ebola-related communication strategy in close coordination with IOM Liberia team, and MHD at Headquarters as appropriate.
Contribute to regular reporting on project achievements, problems encountered, pertinent developments, and strategic needs, as well as for donors and partner agencies.
Undertake duty trips to ETUs locations on a regular basis.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Competencies

Behavioural
Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;
Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;
Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly;
Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;
Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
Displays mastery of subject matter;
Contributes to a collegial team environment;
Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment and retaliation and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA);
Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;
Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Technical
Drives and fosters understanding of Media and Communications concepts amongst key personnel in IOM;
Correctly and effectively applies knowledge of traditional and social media;
Interfaces across units and departments within IOM to extract relevant information;
Interfaces successfully with the media to maintain and enhance the image of IOM;
Communicates clearly and consistently the determined media message even in the face of ongoing questioning and challenges;
Displays availability outside of regular hours to respond to challenges.

Emergency and Crisis
Works effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments;
Coordinates actions with emergency response actors and making use of coordination structures;
Supports adequate levels of information sharing between internal units, cluster partners, IOM and other emergency response actors;
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with implementing partners;
Makes correct decisions rapidly based on available information.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

· Master’s degree in Mass/Media Communications, Social Sciences, Public Health, Health Anthropology 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.

Experience
Experience in the field of health promotion and public health;
Experience working in humanitarian crisis, natural disasters, infectious diseases and in a resource poor setting is beneficial;
Familiarity with the public health sector in the Africa region is an advantage.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Liberian Kreyol is an advantage.

Note:

* With frequent travel to field missions within Liberia.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by October 12, 2014 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

For further information, please refer to:

http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-...

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly filled in and submitted with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for applications.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application in your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.