Communication

Working as field communications manager in the field

From visiting an impromptu settlement of displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to documenting the conditions and collecting first-hand accounts from people on board one of the MSF rescue boats in the Mediterranean, MSF Communications Managers  play a vital role in ensuring that MSF speaks out against human rights abuses and injustice.

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Responsibilities:

  • Strategy Building
    • Under supervision of the HOM(s) and in cooperation with the Communications Advisor in HQ the FCM defines the communications strategy for the mission, advising on public positioning and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications.
    • The FCM promotes the visibility of the organisation, improving awareness of its principles and work, reinforcing information on MSF activities among communities.
    • The FCM should have the capacity to identify key cross cutting issues across MSF operations which are relevant to communications and to advise on public positioning.
    • He /she will develop guidelines for dealing with crisis communications through local media and have the capacity to remain reactive to emergencies.
    • In emergencies with high media pressure the (E)FCM is able to act as a spokesperson to take interview pressure away from the field teams.
  • Media Management/Alert
    • The FCM maintains close contact with key local media and foreign correspondents.
    • The FCM liaises with communications staff from other organisations and institutions, and will monitor and analyse the communication lines developed by actors of importance for MSF (authorities, armed groups, other NGOs…).
    • The FCM facilitates international media visit to MSF projects and he/she organizes media events (Press conference, Press briefing…) in collaboration with MSF international communication network.
    • The FCO briefs spokespersons and assesses media training needs for key staff.
    • He/she can play the role of a spokesperson when seen as opportune and necessary.
    • The FCM produces strategic reports on the local media landscape and regularly reports on new developments. He/she provides guidance on how to deal with local media at time of crisis, and will develop guidelines for dealing with such crises through in-country media.
  • Team Management
    • The FCM manages, develops and supervises staff (Field Communication Officers) under his/her direct responsibility.
  • Content production
    • The FCM advises on which communications tools to choose according to objective, message and audience at local and national levels. He/she then produces - or supervises the production of - local comms contents (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos.) according to strategy and budget.)
    • The FCM helps producing international comms content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means to the CA or the com person in charge of writing international comms contents at headquarter level.
    • The FCM tracks and archives communications production on the country to build institutional memory.
  • Content diffusion
    • The FCM actively promotes the diffusion of MSF content in the country. Under the supervision of the Head(s) of Mission, the FCM identifies communications opportunities using MSF comms network production (from List_Press) or returning staff to pitch content on MSF activities in the country and other countries.
    • When judged opportune and strategic, he/ she uses social media (twitter, blogs, Facebook....) to promote MSF contents and visibility.
  • Reporting
    • The FCM produces regular reports on achieved results and future priorities.
  • Budget Management
    • The FCM will produce a yearly communications budget meant to support identified and agreed com priorities. This budget will be submitted for approval to the Head of Mission (s) and coms department at HQ.

Requirements:

  • Desirable: degree in journalism, communications, humanitarian affairs, political science or another related subject
  • Essential: at least four years’ previous international work experience in communications, journalism or public relations
  • Essential: previous working experience in producing communications content
  • Experience with MSF or other international NGOs in developing countries
  • Experience working in an international environment
  • Proficiency in audio-visual skills (creation and production of tools)
  • Essential: English. Command of local languages desirable.
  • Essential: computer literacy (Excel, Word and digital media)
  • People Management

General skills:

  • Commitment to MSF’s work and values
  • Strong team player
  • Willingness to work in all kinds of contexts worldwide, including unstable areas
  • Adaptable and able to work in a multicultural team
  • Flexible and able to manage stress
  • Self-driven with a solution-orientated approach
  • Ability to train others

We encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities and all other characteristics of diversity.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and criminal record checks.

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