Strategic Communications Consultant

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Job Description

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

Project Context and Scope

The consultant will support the IOM Tajikistan Country Office – Programme Support Unit, assisting all programme units and projects at mission-level.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Programme Support Unit (PSU)

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Lead the development and coordinate the implementation of Country Office (CO)’s external communications strategies in line with the Organization’s strategic communications priorities and guidelines, promoting an accurate narrative on migration-related issues with the media, general public, the UN and other key partners.
• Provide technical advice to the Chief of Mission (CoM) and the Senior Management Team (SMT) on strategic communications issues, including sensitive internal and external communications, and ensure the high quality and consistency of media and public outreach for the CO by building the capacity of and providing strategic communications/media advice and support to the Chief of Mission and SMT.
• Conduct permanent environment scanning to keep abreast of most important developments and trends that might be relevant to IOM Tajikistan work.
• Support high profile visibility events and assist the Chief of Mission in preparing to represent the CO, including arranging media interviews, reviewing speeches and preparing media Lines to Take. 
• Strengthen IOM’s links with media in-country to promote the work of the CO; maintain media contact lists, coordinate responses to media requests; prepare timely press releases/media packages, and organize press briefings, media trainings and partnerships, among other relevant activities.
• Manage the CO’s online presence, including through its social media accounts and website to increase the impact of CO’s digital outreach.
• Support operations and visibility of the Safe Migration Hotline in close coordination with the Pre-Departure Orientation Center (PDOC)
• Engage with the UN Country Team’s Communication Group and other relevant actors and lead on developing media messages on key issues by working together on campaigns and issues of joint concern.
• Lead CO designers and content creators to ensure content is of the highest quality, aligned with IOM’s brand guidelines and consistent with the Organization’s strategic communications priorities. Take on design and content creation roles independently when necessary.
• Supervise all external communications content produced by the CO, including speeches, press releases, statements, stories, blogs, video and social media content; provide timely editorial advice in consultation with the Regional Media and Communications Officer on whether they are best suited for publication on national, regional or global IOM platforms.
• Support the CO projects based on their media and communications needs
• Advise Programme teams on designing awareness raising and outreach activities using the social and behavioural change communications (SBCC) and communication for development (C4D) and other related methodologies.
• Enhance CO’s communications capacity by developing training materials, providing training and capacity building to the staff.
• Undertake duty travel to take photographs and video footage and gather material for multi-media content showcasing the humanitarian situation and IOM field activities. Ensure that Media and Communications content is clear and concise, and that digital informed consent is secured.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Number (and timeliness) of strategic communications advisory inputs provided to the Chief of Mission/SMT (e.g., lines to take, key messages, reactive statements, interview briefs, sensitive comms notes) that are assessed as high quality/consistent (minimal rework, aligned messaging) and delivered within agreed timelines.
• Functioning media engagement system demonstrated by:
  (a) Media contact list maintained and updated;
  (b) Timely coordination of responses to media requests; and
  (c) Production of press releases/media packages/press briefings in line with the comms plan and operational needs.
• Demonstrated increase in effectiveness of CO digital outreach, measured through regular performance reporting and improvement against baseline for agreed metrics (e.g., reach, engagement, followers, click-throughs), while ensuring content is high quality and consistent with IOM branding.
• % of planned communications actions/products in the CO external communications strategy (campaigns, key messages, media products, visibility actions) delivered on time and compliant with IOM strategic communications priorities and brand/guidelines (as verified through internal review/clearance where applicable).

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University and/or Master’s Degree  from an  accredited academic  institution in  Journalism, Communications or a related discipline

Experience

• 5 years of experience in journalism, communications, media relations or a related field

Skills

• Excellent understanding of social media or advertising
• Familiarity with the local context of rural Tajikistan
• Strong computer literacy and experience in using the social media platforms
• Fluency in spoken and written English/Russian/Tajik is required
• Experience of using the Microsoft Office programs

Languages

For this consultancy, fluent English, Russian and Tajik are required for both writing and speaking skills.

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

• 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

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. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

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.

No late applications will be accepted. 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

Job Info

• Job Identification20454
• Posting Date04/20/2026, 02:47 PM
• Apply Before05/04/2026, 12:00 AM
• Contract TypeConsultancy (Up to 11 months)
• Initial Contract Duration6
• Org TypeCountry Office
• Vacancy TypeConsultancy
• Recruiting TypeConsultant
• GradeUG
• Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?No

Required Skills

• Content production/management
• Digital communications and social media
• Graphic design skills (Adobe programmes)
• High level of professionalism
• Media liaison / working with media organizations
• Photography and videography skills (shooting and editing)
• Storytelling
• Strategic thinking
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Writing