Communications Officer (Advocacy and Engagement)

Vacancy Notice 1084

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. 

INTERPOL strives to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve our Diversity goals, we encourage applications from women and nationals of under/unrepresented member countries who are passionate about our mission. INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Job Title: Communications Officer (Advocacy and Engagement) 
Reporting To: Head of Campaigns & Advocacy and Senior Project Manager Soteria
Location: Lyon 
Type of contract: Project Short-term contract 
Duration (in months): 7.00
Grade: 5   
Number of posts: 1
Level of Security screening: Basic
Deadline for application: 8 July 2025

For internal candidates holding fixed-term appointments, selection for this position will be treated as a Temporary Assignment.

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* Subsequent extension to this post will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

* This position is financed by a third-party, external to the Organization with funding provided by the donor. Although there is a commitment from the donor, the appointment may be terminated prior to official end date of project, should the external funding for this position no longer be available. This position also carries, in principle, no expectation of renewal. Any potential subsequent extension will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately 3 weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately two to three months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

INTRODUCTION OF THE POST
Project Soteria is a multi-year project that aims to develop mechanisms to prevent and detect sexual offenders from using positions in the aid sector to access and offend against vulnerable communities.

The post calls for a proven communicator, with experience of working in stakeholder engagement on sensitive and complex issues.

The incumbent will report directly (including administratively) to the Head of Campaigns & Advocacy in the Communications Directorate for oversight and to ensure alignment with organizational.

PRIMARY DUTIES

DUTY 1 - BUILD STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE CHANGE
• Shape and implement a comprehensive Soteria communications strategy to raise awareness and build engagement with strategic stakeholders and partners on Project Soteria's role and objectives, achievements and impact.
• Develop and maintain an effective advocacy network – including aid sector officials, law enforcement officials, NGOs and community organizations.
• Position Soteria as a vital collaborator in efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse of people in vulnerable situations.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with specialist media, securing media coverage and interviews to amplify the projects message.

DUTY 2 - PRODUCE CONTENT FOR ALL COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORMS
• Create engaging and impactful advocacy content aligned with the overall INTERPOL and Soteria communications strategies (including press releases, social media posts, blog articles, talking points, topline messaging, etc.) to promote the project's work.
• Develop and disseminate visual materials (infographics, videos, etc.) to support the project's goals and objectives.
• Collaborate closely with INTERPOL's communications team to ensure consistent messaging and branding across all channels, and to leverage in-house communications expertise.

DUTY 3 - UNDERTAKE MISSIONS IN THE FIELD
• Conduct field missions to aid-recipient countries of operational relevance to Project Soteria, gather stories, testimonials, and insights from stakeholders, aid sector partners, law enforcement officials, NGOs, community leaders, and the media.
• Develop case studies, gain strategic insights and develop success stories as well as human interest stories to demonstrate the project's relevance, effectiveness, and impact.
• Provide communications support to field operations, including by developing video, photo and other materials to promote the project's work.
• Facilitate stakeholder and partner engagement and community outreach, ensuring that the project's messaging is tailored to local contexts and audiences.
• Identify and document best practices, challenges, and lessons learned from field work, feeding these back into the project's strategy and communications planning.

DUTY 4 - ADDITIONAL DUTIES
• Collaborate with other INTERPOL projects and initiatives to ensure a coordinated approach to communications and advocacy.
• Provide relevant training and capacity-building support to law enforcement officials and other stakeholders on effective communications and advocacy techniques.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications and advocacy efforts, providing regular reports and recommendations to the project team.
• Stay up to date with the latest developments and research in the field of sexual exploitation and abuse, ensuring that the project's communications and advocacy efforts and thought leadership are informed by the latest evidence and best practices.
• Provide other appropriate ad hoc support as requested by the hierarchy.

REQUIREMENTS
All candidates will be assessed on the under mentioned requirements. Please only include professional experience for which you can provide official proof of employment (i.e. pay-slip indicating your functional title, work certificates, etc.). You could be asked to provide copies of such documents prior to interviews/tests. Any discrepancies found between the information stated in any of your application documents and the evidence of employment provided, will be considered misrepresentation and may lead to your disqualification from this selection procedure. This is especially important for your current and previous functional titles (they need to be exactly the same as the one in your contractual agreement), exact dates of employment, description of responsibilities and achievements, reason(s) for leaving and part-time work.

Training/Education required
• Three to four completed years’ University degree is required.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field would be an asset.
• Ten years’ experience are required in the area if the post holder does not have the required level of education.

Experience required
• At least 3 years of professional experience in communications in which the incumbent performs their duties, preferably in an international organization or setting, government agency, law enforcement or development environment.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing communications strategies, campaigns and advocacy, via an evidence-based approach.
• Strong stakeholder relations skills, together with experience in working with the media.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, content management systems, and other digital communications tools.

Languages
• Proficiency in English, with working knowledge of other official INTERPOL languages (Arabic, French, Spanish) an asset.

Specific skills required
• Excellent communications skills, with the ability to craft compelling and emotionally intelligent content for various audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with multiple priorities, contacts and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and cultures.