Intersectional Field Communications Coordinator M/F - Paris, France - Medecins Sans Frontieres

Description

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Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation,founded in that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armedconflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offersassistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion,gender or political affiliation. MSF operations are managed out of 5 sections(OCs), based in Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, Amsterdam and Geneva.

We are looking for an Intersectional Field Communications Coordinator.

MSF has been present in theDemocratic Republic of Congo since . We run some of our largest programmes in the country, working in 20 of26 provinces. We respond to disease outbreaks, the health and humanitarianconsequences of conflict and displacement, and specific medical issues,including HIV/AIDS. In the budget for MSF's activities in DRC exceeded€ million.

Communicatingabout our work, the people we assist and the crises we witness is a coreelement of MSF's identify. Considering the high volume of activities weundertake in DRC, and to reflect that work in a transparent and accountableway, we have reviewed the setup of the communication team in the country.

Objectives of the position:

The Field Communications Coordinator (FCC) will manage the DRCcommunications team (7 field comms managers and officers based around thecountry) and will lead this team in defining and ensuring relevance, qualityand coherence in the communications initiatives undertaken. The FCC will guideand drive national and international communication initiatives from the field,raising awareness of the medical and humanitarian crises in the country.

The FCC coordinates with the Heads of Missions (HoMs) and the BALI Office(Bureau Administratif et de Liaison Intersection) to identify keycommunications priorities and messaging, and how to best allocate resources andbudget to match those priorities for the Operational Centers in the country.

Place within the organisation:

The FCC liaises closely with other MSF communications staff across themovement. The FCC reports to the BALI representative, has strong functionallinks with the Head of Missions in the country and receives support from theDRC Communications Advisors in respective Operational Centers through theassigned focal point.

Regular visits to the projects are essential.

Strategy, lead and coordination of MSF communicationsefforts in DRC:

In collaboration with the HoMs, the FCC leads the definition of thecommunications strategy for the missions, advises on public positioning, andremains responsive to emergencies and crisis communication needs.

The FCC ensures that an 'early warning system' on national issues andnews is in place, that major media/social media trends are monitored andanalysed, and that this information is shared with the Head(s) of Missions,medical coordinators, humanitarian affairs officers, and other communicationsstaff in the country and headquarters.

The FCC produces, disseminates and implements the annual CountryCommunications Framework (CCF), and develops and drives ad hoc strategies incollaboration with field communications team:

· Ensures coherent planningfor MSF communications initiatives to maximise interest and impact at nationaland international level;

· Identifies communicationopportunities and risks, and suggests an appropriate course of action;

· Advises HQ, HoMs and BALI onpublic positioning in support of national advocacy efforts;

· Networks with communicationsofficials from the UN, national and international NGOs, MoH, Gov based in thecountry;

· Provides analysis on howother national/international/faith-based, NGOs/civil society organisationscommunicate on key issues and provides insight into their public agendas;

· If required, the FCC can act as an MSFrepresentative in national forums or spokesperson for the media.

Content production:

The FCC is responsible for the quality and validation of written/AVcontent produced and published by their DRC team and will determine with desks,Comms Advisors (CA), HoMs and Medical Coordinators from each Operational Centrethe best way for quick validation of communications initiatives.

The FCC is ultimately responsible for the management of dedicated socialmedia channels and ensures the application of MSF social media guidelines forall staff.

They ensure that timely information/data/updates on MSF's operationalprojects and presence in the region are produced and shared to the wider MSFcommunications network.

Management and reporting :

The FCC attends the intersectional HoMs platform meetings and, whenpossible and relevant, attends regular coordination meetings held by the MSFOperational Centres present in the country.

They manage the communications team and provides them with technicalsupport through regular project visits, ensuring consistency in the way theteam works and promoting collective learning. The FCC sets the team members'objectives and evaluates their work on at least a yearly basis or at the end oftheir mission.

The role is responsible for the production of a monthly report on theactivities carried out by the field communications team, reflecting on the resultsof the previous month and adapting the objectives for the month to come.

The FCC is responsible for flagging potential gaps in communicationsresources, leads recruitment at country level, and establishes developmentplans for field communication staff.

They manage the workload and priorities for their team and establishes aweekly communications activities plan (division of tasks), to be shared withthe Head(s) of Mission and Communications Advisors from the OperationalCentres.

Budget:

The FCC is responsible for establishing, presenting and updating thecountry's communications budget.

They manage and allocate the communications budget at country levelaccording to identified priorities.

They coordinate with the Financial Coordinators that the budget isreflected in individual missions budgets or in the BALI budget.

· Essential: University degree in Journalism, Communications, HumanitarianAffairs, Political Science or a related subject

· Essential: at least 5 years' professional experience in communications,journalism or public relations

· Essential: previous experience identifying priorities and defining,implementing and reviewing a communications strategy (including duringemergencies/crises and coordinating content production)

· Essential: previous experience with media management, coordinatingcommunications strategies (notably during emergencies/crises), and contentproduction

· Essential: proven experience working with social media and developingand implementing digital communication strategies

· Essential: field experience with MSF or other international NGOs

· Essential: previous experience managing a communications team

Skills:

· Strategic vision

· Leadership

· Capacity to workautonomously

· People management andcoaching

· Planning

· Teamwork

· An outgoingpersonality, and good representation skills

· A demonstrableinterest in the region and in humanitarian issues

Languages:

· Excellent command ofFrench (native or functioning at that level)

· Excellent command ofwritten and spoken English

· Regional language(s)an asset