MSF-OCBA is looking for a Field Communications Manager (Based in Central African Republic)
General Context
Years of bloody but largely neglected conflict and violence in the Central African Republic have left thousands of people and entire communities displaced, deprived of basic services including healthcare and fearing for their lives. With over 3,000 staff in a dozen of medical and humanitarian projects in the provinces and the capital, Bangui, MSF is in a unique position to provide life-saving care to Central African people and bear witness to their plight. Our teams provide general and emergency care, trauma surgery, maternal and pediatric services, assistance to survivors of sexual violence and treatment for malaria, HIV and TB among other leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Four MSF sections work at the moment in the country (OCA, OCB, OCBa, OCP), each with coordination offices in Bangui.
Main purpose
To define, implement, coordinate, provide support and supervise all operational communication activities according to MSF standards in Central African Republic. More specifically, the intersectional FCM in CAR ensures adapted communication strategies are proposed and implemented, manages media relations, produce timely communication materials enhancing MSF public narrative on the Central African crisis, the plight of our patients and other issues relevant to MSF in the country, manage comms staff under his/her supervision, provide technical support to operations, interacts with MSF comms network and respond to emergencies.
A Communications Advisor at HQ acts as focal point for the FCM and a Head of Mission acts as an onsite manager for the FCM. The CA and the HoM do not have to be from the same section. The definition of communications strategies and priorities involve all heads of mission and sections, specific initiatives are carried out with the support and participation of the sections and projects in question.
For any large-scale emergencies, an Emergency Field Communications Manager (E)FCM) with the same responsibilities as the FCM may be sent in the country, the division of task and responsibilities between the two will have to be clarified upon arrival of the E-FCM on an ad hoc basis based on the realities and needs on the ground.
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 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 Officers) under his/her direct responsibility.
The FCM coaches new FCOs , especially to make them familiar to the MSF comms mechanisms, tools and procedures
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:
- Degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science or related university degree.
- Previous working experience of at least 4 years in communications, journalism or public relations.
- Previous working experience in producing communications content production.
- Experience with MSF or other international NGO’s in developing countries.
- Experience working in an international environment.
- English and French are essential. Command of local languages is desirable.
- Essential computer literacy
Competencies
- People Management
- Commitment
- Flexibility
- Results
- Teamwork
WHAT WE OFFER
- Salary determined by experience and MSF’s salary grid and secondary benefits according to MSF-OCBA’s policies.
- Location; Central African Republic
- Length of the mission: 1 year contract.
- Induction plan to the position.
- The opportunity to contribute to our objective of saving lives, alleviating suffering and helping those most in need.
- Starting date: September 2021
HOW TO APPLY
- To apply, please, follow the link below and submit your CV and cover letter.
https://career2.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=3946&company=medicossin
- Closing date: June 27th, 2021, 23:59 CET (Central European Time)
MSF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.