MSFโs Field Communications Managers play a vital role in ensuring that MSF speaks out on what we see in the areas we work, including human rights abuses and injustice.
From visiting an impromptu settlement of displaced people to documenting the conditions and collecting first-hand accounts from people whoโve survived natural disasters, Field Communications Managers are at the frontline of communications from our operational programmes.
This is a diverse and exciting role in support of our humanitarian and medical response involving some or all of the following:
Responsibilities:
- Defines, reviews and implements the communications strategy for the mission, including advising on positioning, and identifying opportunities to communicate
- Handle local and international media requests and contact local media proactively to promote MSF
- Maintain close contact and organise events with key local media (e.g. press conferences, press briefings), and facilitate media and photographic visits to project sites for both local and international journalists and photographers
- Monitor and report on local media, flag significant articles, trends, news or reports of importance for MSF
- Produce strategic reports on the local media landscape (key media, audience members, political affiliation, ownership, freedom of speech, use of social media, etc.)
- Act as a spokesperson during emergencies to alleviate high media pressure
- Manage and monitor MSF social media network accounts in country (produce and disseminate content, moderation, etc.)
- Produce and/or coordinate to the production of communication tools and products (PRs, leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos, etc)
- Where needed, train relevant members of project teams on how to communicate externally
- Identify human resources needs for communications, hiring where relevant, and manage, coach and develop direct reports.
- Work and collaborate extensively with communications and operational colleagues
Depending on our activities and needs, your responsibilities may be adapted and evolve according to the specific projects. You will not be facing these challenges aloneโother MSF team members, both international and locally hired staff, will provide technical support, including extensive guidelines and protocols.
Requirements:
- Degree in journalism, communications, humanitarian affairs, political science or another related subject
- At least four yearsโ previous international work experience in communications, journalism or public relations
- At least one yearโs experience working in developing countries/unstable contexts
- The ability to source, identify and analyse relevant and key operational information, explaining its context and translating it for use in communications materials
- Social media skills including community management and identification of networks
- Knowledge of audio-visual skills (creation and production of tools)
- IT skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Native English speaker or track record of English editing; fluency in any other language is a considerable asset (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian)
- Available for a minimum of six months
- Commitment to MSFโs work and values
- Strong team player
- Experience in people management
- Strong negotiation skills and a diplomatic approach
- 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 high levels of stress
- Self-driven with a solution-oriented approach
- Ability to train others
Assets:
- Field experience with MSF or other NGOs