Médecins Sans Frontières – Belgium (MSF – Belgium)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF – Doctors without Borders) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF is therefore guided by the principles of neutrality and impartiality. These principles must apply to all MSF staff.

Job Details 

Title of position:           FIELD COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Status of position: Full Time Position

Location: MSF Coordination, Freetown

main objective and responsibilities of the position 

Planning and supervising the procurement activities for goods, transport, subcontracted works and services for the project and capital according to MSF standards and protocols in order to ensure a transparent and efficient procurement and supplier performance.

Strategy Building

• Under supervision of the HOM(s) and in cooperation with the Communications Advisors 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.

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 FCM 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 Officer) 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 CAs 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.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies 

EducationDesirable: degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or related university degree.Experience

Essential: previous working experience of at least 4 years in communications,

journalism or public relations.

Essential: previous working experience in producing communications content

production

Essential: experience with MSF or other international NGOs in developing countries.

Experience working in an international environment

LanguagesEnglish and Krio are requiredKnowledgeEssential computer literacy (word, excel and digital media)

Application Details

Applicants should submit: Application letter, CV, copy of certificates/diplomas, National ID, work certificates from previous employment – No original documents to be submitted

Email: msfocb-sl-recruitment@brussels.msf.org

Applications can be submitted to following MSF Belgium Office Locations:

FREETOWN:

MSF Belgium Office, 49k Ronsab Drive, Off Spur Road, Freetown.

KENEMA:

MSF Hanga Hospital, Main gate watchman post

BOAJIBU:

Main gate guard post MSF Boajibu Office

Please indicate “Vacancy Field Communication Manager” on the envelope

Application deadline: 20 May 2024 – 5 pm – no late applications will be accepted

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further recruitment process.

Please note that MSF does not reimburse transportation cost if applicants are asked for a test or interview.