Field Communications Manager (FCM) at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Purpose

• To define, implement, coordinate and supervise all operational communication activities according to MSF standards in the mission/ or during an emergency.
• The FCM aims at building MSF visibility, acceptance and leverage inside the mission country. For any large scale emergencies, an Emergency Field Communications Manager (ECM) may be sent to the mission or the FCM can be asked to act as an ECM.

Job Description

• Strategy Building
  • 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 communications through local media and have the capacity to remain reactive to emergencies.
  • In emergencies with high media pressure the FCM is able to act as an ECM and 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, he/she helps in understanding the Nigerian media environment and affiliations
• 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, UN, other NGOs…).
• The FCM facilitates media visits 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.
• 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 communications contents (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos) according to strategy and budget.
• The FCM helps producing international communications content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means to the CAs or the communication person in charge of writing international communications contents at HQ level.
• The FCM tracks and archives communications production on the country to build institutional memory.
• The FCM actively promotes the diffusion of MSF content in the country. Under the supervision of the Heads of Mission, the FCM identifies communications opportunities using MSF communications network production 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, this might include creating MSF social media accounts, following them and provide feeds and materials
• The FCM produces regular reports on achieved results and future priorities.
• The FCM reports and collaborates with the Heads of Mission (HOM) of MSF sections and ensures communication is streamlined, communicated and agreed by both parties ahead of publishing
• 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 HQs.
• Content Production
• Content Diffusion
• Reporting
• Budget Management

Required Skills and Conditions

• Desirable: degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or related university degree.
• Essential: previous working experience of at least 4 years in communications, journalism or public relations.
• Essential: previous working experience in producing communications content production
• Experience working in an international environment.
• English essential. Command of local languages is desirable.
• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and digital media)
• Commitment
• Flexibility
• Results
• Independency

Contract

• 208 working hours per month and roster flexibility required.

Remuneration

• Monthly Gross Salary of N333, 231.