Associate Project Coordinator Telling The Real Story (TOFI)

Background:

Every year an increasing number of refugees and migrants perish in the Central Mediterranean in an attempt to reach Europe by dangerous means. Traditionally, many of them are Eritreans and Somalis. In an effort to respond to this situation, TOFI proposed an information campaign aimed directly at Somalis and Eritreans, to inform them of the full scope of the perils and difficulties of such voyages and about the legal, social and economic realities of life in Europe. Ultimately, this campaign sought to enable them to make informed decisions about their movements and plans for the future.

Preparatory research of communication patterns among Eritreans and Somalis had shown that the target audience had at their disposal two heavily biased sources of information on which they based their decision to leave for Europe. Firstly, the propaganda of smugglers. Secondly, the untruthful feedback of relatives in Europe that paints an unrealistically positive picture of life in Europe. To work in the context of the Somali segments of a project called Telling the real story – Information campaign.

This is an information campaign that reaches out to Somali refugees, members of the host communities, including IDPs. and migrants with a view to inform them about the full scope of the perils and difficulties related to irregular onward movements to Europe. The information campaign enables concerned people to take an informed decision about their plans and about possible onward movements.

Overall objectives of Telling the Real Story are:

1. Countering the narrative of smugglers and inform segments of the Somali community of the full scope of dangers associated with irregular movement to and life in Europe;
2. Maintain and reinforce the intra-community discourse on the dangers of irregular movement by countering the narrative of smugglers and undermining their credibility;

The Associate Project Coordinator, under the direct supervision of the Country Director in Somalia, will be responsible for the overall coordination and dissemination of the project in regions of Banadir (Mogadishu), Bossaso, Hargeisa, South West State (Baidoa) and Jubaland (Kismayo, Dhobley and Dollo)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Associate Project Co-ordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Dissemination of the project to different segments of the Somali community including refugees, IDPs, returnees and asylum seekers;
• Establish close working relations with Federal and state level structures in the development and dissemination of information and awareness activities on the risks and dangers of clandestine and irregular migration;
• Actively participate in Mixed Migration Task Force meetings and represent TOFI in these meetings;
• Take a lead role in establishing and nurturing partnerships with stakeholders, build networks with existing anti-trafficking associations and governmental authorities;
• Develop and sustain strategic relationships with celebrity supporters and interlocutors to expand advocacy activities;
• Provide information on complementary pathways should they be made available;
• Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media in order to reach the wider population;
• In close consultation with the TOFI teams, he/she will work towards ensuring sustainability of the project through co-designing sustainable models for the project continuity with partners and TOFI teams;
• Analyse existing data in order to provide operations information on trends and lead research into gaps in information concerning onwards movement;
• Through direct engagement with the community, the Associate Project Coordinator will analyse existing trends, motivations for departure and misinformation provided within the community and by smugglers particularly related to current mixed migration developments;
• Develop real-time evaluation strategies of the campaign to enable the adjustment of ongoing activities;
• Drive engagement and awareness-raising activities through combining different communication outputs aimed at reframing the discourse to counter the narrative of the smugglers and inform the community and particularly children of the full scope of dangers associated with irregular movement to and life in Europe;
• Formulation of Mixed migration related messages targeting different audience i.e. Government, partners, members of Somali community among others
• Hold regular awareness raising activities, when possible, intended for different segments of the population. The activities will involve – and not limited to, distributing the children’s book and visibility material in refugee schools, hold sessions with parents and guardians, screen testimonies, hold focus group discussions, organize community engagement sessions using a range of mechanisms such as theater, poetry, art, etc.;
• Keep internal regional/HQ abreast of activities and progress through regular reports;
• Liaise closely with Associate Project Officers for Somaliland and Puntland to ensure project activity coherence across the operation;
• Develop messages and create campaign materials.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in communication, political science, international relations, migration studies or related field;
  • Capacity to develop strategic communication visions;
  • A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, migration management or related areas;
  • Work experience in the field of refugee protection and assistance would be an asset. Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
  • Basic understanding of international refugee protection.
  • Conceptual and practical understanding of protection issues and approaches in humanitarian contexts, including the constraints, sensitivities and risks associated with such work;
  • General familiarity with the regional mixed migration dynamics;
  • Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking;
  • Experience of working with persons of concern;
  • Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relations with relevant Government counterparts;
  • Excellent command of English and Somali, (written, oral, comprehension) including highly developed drafting skills and;
  • Field experience is an asset;

Contract: 1 Year with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered by TOFI ’s Terms of Employment; Employment band Non-Management F

Availability: 1st oct 2025

Duty station: The Associate Project Co-ordinator will be stationed in TOFI Country office Somalia /Somaliland and may be required to undertake field missions as and when needed.

Reporting Line: Country Representative / Country Director

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At TOFI we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: TOFI ’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct about TOFI’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. TOFI conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process