The Republic of Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine, is directly impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. In response to the need to manage the massive flow of displaced persons from Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova, alongside to the commitment of the country to align the national legislation to the normative framework of the European Union, the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved, on January 18^th, 2023, the Governmental Decision No. 21/2023 on granting temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine for a period of 1 year.

The GIM is the national institution responsible for implementing policies in the field of migration, asylum, statelessness and integration of foreigners and of the relevant legislation. Since March 1st, 2023, GIM has been implementing the mechanism of temporary protection of displaced persons from Ukraine on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The mechanism assigns to GIM a series of responsibilities related to providing information and ensuring the access for the beneficiaries of temporary protection in Moldova to a range of basic services, such as social, medical, educational, access to the labor market, accommodation etc. GIM is the authority that coordinates the integration process of foreigners on the national territory, which targets holders of provisional and permanent rights, beneficiaries of international protection, persons who have been recognized stateless status in the Republic of Moldova. The national authority is in the process of digitalizing the service provision, aligning to one of the national objectives related to the digital transformation in all spheres of activities.

Given the consequences of the war in Ukraine impacting the territory of the Republic of Moldova, one of the GIM priorities is to offer accurate and timely information to all those interested that are present in the country. As such, it is necessary to strengthen the official information platforms and GIM’s communication strategies and means. In this context, the International Organization for Migration supports the national authority to maintain a modernised and user-friendly website and social media channels so that relevant information is easily accessible.

IOM builds on the already established collaboration with GIM and based on the national authority’s request, adopts a structured approach for identifying concrete modalities and providing specialized assistance to strengthen the national capacity. Such assistance is provided from the perspective of IOM’s mandate and expertise, and in collaboration with relevant national authorities.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Migration Governance, Immigration and Border Management

Supporting Protection, Transit, Voluntary and Informed Return and Reintegration of Eastern Partnership Citizens and Third Country Nationals affected by the conflict in Ukraine (DG NEAR).
Under the present Terms of Reference, IOM Moldova is seeking qualified expertise of a national consultant who will support GIM in the implementation of its communication strategy and the related activities, and therefore in meeting the national institution’s communication objectives. For this, the incumbent will utilize the outcomes of previous plans, initiatives and efforts and will closely coollaborate with Ministry of Internal Affairs, and GIM staff, IOM Moldova’s Media and Communications Unit as well as other consultants, service providers and stakeholders who will be supporting the upgrade of the GIM official website. The incumbent will make use of the best practices in institutional communication within humanitarian context and will strive to ensure the provision of accurate information regarding the GIM services and responsibilities to all categories of beneficiaries, including the Ukrainian refugees.

Under the overall guidance of the IOM Chief of Mission, and Programme Coordinator, Migration Governance, the IOM Moldova’s Media and Communications Unit, and under the direct supervision IOM Programme Officer/IBG Unit and in close coordination with the GIM designated staff, the incumbent will:

1. support the development and implementation of GIM communication strategy and related activities;
2. research and propose models of user-friendly and informative GIM website, in line with the principles of e-governance and national legislation;
3. support the redesigning, adjusting, alongside with the uploading the editorial content of the website as part of the upgrading of the institutional website: https://igm.gov.md;
4. ensure that the information uploaded on the upgraded website is available in Romanian, English and Russian.
5. support the improvement of GIM image in the public space by contributing to a better understanding of GIM activities and achievements among various categories of beneficiaries and target audience, to ultimately increase public confidence;
6. contribute to planning and organising GIM information campaigns and mass-media events;
7. build the communication capacity of GIM staff and deliver related trainings, including on elements related to communication in crisis/emergency context;
8. ensure that information available on GIM website and media channels is accessible to categories of population with disabilities;
9. conduct surveys among potential and/or past users of GIM services, including Ukraininan refugees on the accessibility and the ease of use of the upgraded website, and suggest or implement remedial actions;
10. plan, produce and distribute media products, both in textual and visual formats (press releases, success stories, infograms/graphics and other types of content) on the website and social media channels;
11. promote through campaigns the understanding of benefits of accepting and integrating foreigners into the local communities and fostering cultural diversity, prevention of intolerance/xenophobia, increasing and contributing to enforcement of public order and national security;
12. all press releases, success stories and other communications to be submitted in Romanian, English and Russian;
13. coordinate the draft documents with GIM, so that the final products reflect the national institution’s input;
14. strengthen the relationship with mass media representatives;
15. prepare and submit reports on activities implemented, as necessary.
17. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Completion of tasks as described in the relevant section, in collaboration with the national authority and IOM staff.

• Monthly activity report on the performance of tasks signed by the communication Consultant and counter-signed by the supervisor of GIM;
• Monthly timetable signed by the communication Consultant and counter-signed by the supervisor of GIM.
• The consultants will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines and latest glossaries in all given assignments for accurate translation.
• The training sessions will be delivered in person, with full application of COVID prevention measures.

1. Payment Modalities

• Payments will be made on a monthly basis upon submission and approval of activity reports with the expected accomplished tasks in Romanian or English and monthly timetables. The fee will not cover travel and other expenses of the Consultant;
• An estimated 40 work hours per week is allocated to accomplish the above-mentioned tasks;
• Place of work: premise of the General Inspectorate for Migration, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. Remote work/online accomplishment of certain activities can be carried out with the prior consent of GIM;
• The consultants must adhere to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

EDUCATION

Higher degree (Bachelor or Master) in the field of Media, Communication from an accredited academic institution with relevant communication skills and professional experience.

EXPERIENCE

• Strong background with at least 3 years of experience in communication/PR;
• Experience in maintaining and updating websites;
• Professional experience in the use of social media;
• Previous work experience with the General Inspectorate for Migration (former Bureau for Migration and Asylum) is considered a strong asset;
• Excellent analytical skills, as well as reporting skills for clear and concise information, including  recommendations on the basis of analyses;
• Excellent ability to collaborate with national institutions;
• Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility, drive for results;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with counterparts and colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds;
• Strong understanding of the Moldovan context.

LANGUAGES

For this position, fluent Romanian, English and Russian, both written and verbal is required.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements