National Communication Officer (Media and External Relations) at International Organization for Migration - IOM

Organizational Context and Scope

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria operates in a complex, high-visibility environment where migration, displacement, humanitarian response, recovery, and development intersect. With an expanding programme footprint across multiple states and thematic areas, IOM Nigeria requires a strong, proactive, and strategic media and external relations function that positions the organization as a trusted, authoritative, and credible voice on migration and displacement.
• The National Communication Officer, Media and External Relations, plays a critical role in shaping IOM Nigeria’s public narrative, strengthening its relationships with national, regional, and international media, building strategic partnerships, and supporting advocacy efforts that advance IOM’s mandate and priorities.
• Under the general supervision of the Chief of Mission and the direct supervision of the Chief Media and Communication Officer, the individual is responsible for coordinating all media engagement and external relations for IOM Nigeria. The role ensures that IOM is consistently visible, relevant, and accurately represented across national, regional, and international media platforms.

The position focuses on proactive media engagement, strategic partnerships, advocacy support, and reputation management, ensuring that IOM not only responds to media interest but actively makes news by aligning programme milestones, data, human-interest stories, and leadership voices with key moments in the national and global discourse on migration.
 

• Media Relations and Strategic Media Engagement
• Coordinate the implementation of IOM Nigeria’s overall media relations strategy across television, radio, print, and digital media.
• Contribute to positioning IOM Nigeria in the news through identifying media opportunities to present stories, opinion pieces, interviews, data releases, and field-based reporting.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen high-quality professional relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and media owners at national and regional levels.
• Establish and regularly update comprehensive media contact lists, segmented by geography, language, and media type.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and consistent flow of information to the media, including press releases, media advisories, backgrounders, and fact sheets.
• Coordinate media interviews for the Chief of Mission and other senior staff, including television, radio, and print engagements.
• Identify and leverage key moments, national observances, global days, policy debates, and programme milestones where IOM’s mandate strongly resonates, and translate these into media opportunities.
• Facilitate regular media briefings and engagements, including press conferences, media roundtables, and field visits for journalists, in close coordination with programme teams.
• Content Coordination for Media Use
• Work closely with programme teams to identify strong stories, data points, and human-interest angles emerging from the field.
• Support the technical translation of programmes reports, assessments, and evaluations into media-friendly narratives.
• Coordinate the flow of field content, including quotes, case studies, photos, and videos, for use in media engagement.
• Monitor consistency of messaging, accuracy of information, and alignment with IOM branding and ethical standards in all media-facing materials.
• Media Preparation and Messaging Support
• Participate in the drafting of key messages, talking points, and briefing notes for the Chief of Mission and senior management in preparation for media engagements.
• Compile anticipated questions and answers, reactive lines, and crisis communication inputs as required.
• Provide information and technical inputs to senior management on media risks, opportunities, and reputational considerations.
• Support the drafting of rapid response to emerging issues in line with organizational procedures and guidelines.
• Strategic Partnerships and External Relations
• Support the identification and engagement of media partnerships that contribute to IOM Nigeria’s visibility, credibility, and advocacy reach.
• Maintain working-level contacts with journalist unions, guilds of editors, press associations, and media training institutions.
• Explore partnerships with media and relevant CSOs to further the mandate of IOM in Nigeria.
• Assist in the development of partnership concepts that strengthen media understanding of migration issues and position IOM as a thought leader.
• Maintain a mapping of existing and potential partners at national and sub-national levels, with clear objectives and value propositions.
• Celebrity Engagement and Advocacy
• Identify and suggest opportunities for engagement with celebrities, influencers, and public figures, including Nollywood, Kannywood, musicians, and cultural icons.
• Assist in the development of celebrity engagement strategies that are culturally sensitive, linguistically appropriate, and regionally balanced between North and South.
• Support the identification and nurturing of IOM champions and advocates who can credibly amplify IOM’s mandate and messages.
• Support advocacy-related outreach that strengthens IOM’s relationships with opinion leaders and decision-makers.
• Coordination, Planning, and Reporting
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of an annual media and external relations plan aligned with IOM Nigeria’s strategic priorities.
• Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication, coordinate closely with the Communications team, programme sections, and senior management to ensure coherence and impact.
• Liaise with the Regional Office and Headquarters on media issues, guidance, and approvals as required.
• Monitor media coverage and provide regular analytical reports on media performance, reach, and sentiment.
• Document lessons learned and good practices to continuously strengthen IOM Nigeria’s media engagement approach.
• Donor Visibility Management
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of a comprehensive donor visibility and communication strategy for IOM Nigeria, aligned with donor agreements and organizational priorities.
• Support the development and maintenance of a donor visibility work plan and oversight matrix to track, monitor, and manage visibility commitments across all donor-funded activities.
• Draft donor-specific visibility plans for new and ongoing funding for review and approval by the Chief of Communication.
• Implement approved donor visibility plans across media engagement, publications, events, photos, videos, and digital content, in coordination with programme teams.
• Maintain and update standardized donor visibility templates and visibility packages in line with established guidance and parameters.
• Monitor compliance with donor visibility requirements and maintain records and reporting to support accountability and sustained donor relations.

Required Qualifications And Experience
Education

• Advanced University degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Public Affairs, or a related field.
• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, journalism, strategic communications, or external relations.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience managing high-level media engagement and working with senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of the Nigerian media landscape, including regional, linguistic, and cultural dynamics.
• Proven ability to develop strategic partnerships and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working in humanitarian, development, or international organizations is an asset.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and sound judgment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage sensitive issues
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Cultural awareness and political sensitivity
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity