IOM - Consultant – Strategic Communications - Erbil

Context and Core Functions / Responsibilities
IOM Iraq’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division (PSD) aims to address the drivers of conflict and displacement through contextualized, community-driven social cohesion, livelihoods, protection/mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), community infrastructure, and Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) programming. PSD seeks to support IDPs and returnees to regain a sense of safety and dignity, while developing tools to deal with the past and restore hope and agency. IOM recognizes that restoring economic opportunities is not a panacea to prevent future violence, and that broader bottom-up efforts should continue to strengthen relations between citizens and the state. PSD is working to ensure alignment with its donor requirements on public information, communication and visibility about ongoing projects, while developing materials and tools to support fundraising and advocacy efforts.
Through this consultancy, IOM Iraq seeks to align its strategic communications with the overarching goals of supporting safe, dignified, and sustainable returns, with a particular focus on the communication needs identified in the December 2023 report on “Communications Gaps and Opportunities in Returns from North-East Syria.” The incumbent will provide strategic and technical guidance to PSD’s communications staff, as well as PSD’s implementing partners (local government and civil society) on strategic communications. IOM is therefore seeking candidates with experience in communications for organizations, as well as knowledge on strategic communications efforts in the context of PVE or peacebuilding contexts, as well as experience in capacity building and planning in support of a variety of government, UN and civil society stakeholders
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Iraq, the general technical supervision of the Head of the Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division and the direct supervision of the Project Development, Reporting and Grants Management Officer of PSD and in close coordination with the IOM Iraq’s Public Information Unit (PIU) the successful candidate will be responsible for contributing to the formulation and implementation of the PSD’s strategic communications plan, working closely with the various programme teams to coordinate and plan both stand-alone activities and those integrated into broader programme activities. The successful candidate will also coordinate their work closely with the IOM Technical Working Group Co-Chair, to ensure alignment and support to IOM’s contributions to strategic communications efforts in support of the return of Iraqi nationals from northeast Syria.