Position: Media Consultant
Duty station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (home-based)
Duration of consultancy: 05 February 2026 – 30 December 2026
Nature of the consultancy: Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office and the direct supervision the Programme Coordinator, the Media Consultant will be responsible to provide comprehensive media and communications support of the project, ensuring effective visibility, outreach and awareness-raising among target audiences and supporting the overall achievement of project objectives.
Project Context and Scope: The project aims to strengthen social cohesion and trust in Kyrgyzstan’s border areas with Uzbekistan by enhancing institutional and community capacities for cooperation. It focuses on improving gender-sensitive, safe, and orderly border management, fostering inclusive dialogue, and promoting socio-economic and cultural collaboration. Through capacity building, awareness campaigns, and support for youth and women-led initiatives, the project seeks to mitigate risks linked to increased mobility.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Peace, Crisis Response and Operations Unit. The project: "Strengthening capacities of institutions and border communities of Kyrgyzstan for increased cooperation with Uzbekistan” (PB.0203).
Tasks to be performed under this contract:
- Develop and implement media and communications plan to support the IOM component of the project in line with IOM and PBF visibility guidelines
- Provide overall media support for the IOM-led project activities including but not limited to:
- Develop and implement awareness-raising campaigns to demonstrate the contribution of foreign migrants to local socio-economic development and social cohesion;
- Promote intercultural dialogue and positive narratives about migration with a focus on gender and youth;
- Ensure media coverage of capacity-building, community engagement, and job fair events
- Disseminate information on safe and orderly cross-border mobility, migrants’ rights and available services. - Produce quality media content (press releases, articles, social media posts, photo and video materials);
- Produce information materials (banners, info sheets, booklets);
- Produce success stories to showcase project impact on the local communities and reflect the peacebuilding efforts;
- Collaborate with the IOM Media and Communications Specialist to highlight project activities on IOM social media pages and website;
- The Consultant shall coordinate well in advance the materials of the proposed information campaign with the Project Team and other relevant staff;
- Provide media support within all IOM projects as necessary.
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:
- Content Production and Quality: Number of materials produced (press releases, articles, social media posts, videos, photos, success stories, impact stories, newsletter submissions).
- Media Coverage and Visibility: Number of materials published (TV, radio, online) and estimated reach of media coverage. Media coverage and visibility report submitted, including analytics from online views if possible.
- Campaign and Event Support: Number of campaign materials produced and events organized or supported.
Education, Experience and/or Skills Required:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, or a related field is typically required.
- A Master’s degree or specialized certifications can be an advantage.
Experience:
- 2-5 years of professional experience in media, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
- At least 3 years of experience in media planning and media campaign management.
- Experience with digital media platforms (social media, TV etc.).
- Experience in media production (writing press releases, articles, video and digital content).
- Familiarity with media analytics, reporting and performance measurement.
- Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets, journalists and influencers
- Prior work with international organizations, NGOs is valued.
Skills:
- Media planning (traditional and digital)
- Data analytics and reporting (Google Analytics, social media insights)
- Content creation (writing, editing, video production, graphic design)
- Knowledge of current media technologies and trends
- Excellent written and verbal communication, strategic and creative thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills
Languages: Fluency in Kyrgyz and Russian (spoken and written), knowledge of English is an asset.
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Travel required
- Travel will be required to the target areas for data and content collection. All related travel costs will be covered by IOM Kyrgyzstan according to its rules and regulations.
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 three 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
- 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, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
- 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.
- 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 online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
This position is no longer open.
