Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, humanitarian, non-governmental organisation providing assistance to people in need as a result of natural and man-made disasters, irrespective of race, religion, ideology or politics.

We are seeking to employ a candidate for the following position:

Field Communications Manager

Place of work: based in Erbil Office

Deadline for application: 05/02/2024

Main purpose of the job:

To define, implement, coordinate and supervise all operational communication activities according to MSF standards in the mission and during an emergency. The intersectional FCM aims at building MSF’s public profile in mission country while supporting all OCs present and operational in the country.

Accountabilities:

Strategy Building

• Under supervision of the HOM(s) and in cooperation with the Communications Advisors in HQs the intersectional FCM defines the communications strategy for Iraq,
• Advises on public positioning in Iraq and remains 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, in line with the strategic objectives of communications and operations.
• 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 and have the capacity to remain reactive to emergencies.
• Provide communications advice on regional issues: advise the field on specific communications issues relevant for the country.
• Timely flagging of communications opportunities and risks (that may require reactive support).
• Conduct analysis of communication issues in the country and provide recommendations, propose solutions to address the issue while protecting MSF reputation in the country.

HR and Finance Management

• The FCM in Iraq manages a team of two officers.
• He/she sets priorities for the team and follows up on implementation of tasks and responsibilities.
• He/she sets objectives for each member of the team and conducts evaluations of the team members’ performances in a timely manner.
• The FCM is responsible for the personal and professional development plans for the team members.
• The FCM will produce a yearly communications budget meant to support identified and agreed mission communication priorities. This budget will be submitted for approval to the Head of Mission(s) and coms department at Cell/HQ during the PoA process.

FCM is responsible for implementing the below activities according to MSF standards, either directly or through delegation to the field communications officers. The FCM will act to ensure the quality control mechanism of deliverables for delegated tasks and monitor progress to keep HOMs updated.

Media Relations

• Act as media focal point for MSF in Iraq and discuss media related issues with HoMs.
• Profile MSF’s work, projects, and concerns on humanitarian crises in Iraq among local, regional and international media.
• Facilitate, draft, and Organize press briefings for local, international and regional press.
• Advise on media opportunities and flag best dissemination strategies for getting MSF communication covered by correspondents.
• Facilitate journalists’ field visits to MSF projects and pitch key issues / projects to journalists after discussion with the HoMs.
• Act as a spokesperson for MSF communication if need OR as advised and delegated by the HoMs.
• Coach MSF spokespeople and provide media training for any field staff dealing with the media in the region
• In emergencies with high media pressure the FCM is able to act as a spokesperson to take interview pressure away from the field teams after the delegation by the HoMs.
• The FCM advises missions and project teams on context developments and issues that may require public positioning from MSF and support to develop specific positioning papers to target key issues in the country or during emergencies.
• The FCM is the focal point for all communications matters for MSF, in Iraq, and from across the MSF movement; responsible for responding to all such communications matter in consultation with HoMs and CA in the Cell/HQ.

Monitoring

• The FCM liaises with communications staff from other organisations, and institutions to strengthen professional relations.
• The FCM will monitor all types of media/social media in the country to analyse the communication lines developed by actors of importance for MSF (authorities, armed groups, community activists groups/individuals and other NGOs etc).
• In coordination with the members of the communication team, the FCM facilitates international media visit to MSF projects and he/she organizes media events (Press conference, Press briefing etc) in consultation with HoMs and in collaboration with MSF international communication network.
• The FCM briefs spokespersons and assesses media training needs for key staff in the mission.
• The FCM may need to play the role of a spokesperson when seen as opportune and necessary after delegation by the HoMs.
• The FCM produces strategic reports on the local media landscape and regularly reports on new developments to the HoMs.
• FCM provides technical guidance on how to deal with local media at time of crisis, conduct analysis and will develop plan/guidelines for dealing with such crises through in-country media/social media.

Content Production

• The FCM advises on which communications tools to choose according to objective, message and audience at local and national levels. He/she supervises the production of multimedia and comms contents (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos.) according to strategy and budget and present to HoMs for validation.
• The FCM helps producing international communications content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means to the CA or the communication person in charge of writing international communications contents at headquarter/cell 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 communications network production (from a List_Press) or returning staff to pitch content on MSF activities in the country and other countries.

Reporting

• The FCM produces regular communication reports on achieved results and future priorities for the department.
• The intersectional FCM can be based in Erbil or Baghdad and will be regularly traveling to the project locations and other areas across Iraq as required and advised by the HoMs

Specific requirements for the role:

 What we offer:

• Legal national contract and 100% pay in accordance with MSF Salary Grid. Level 10.
• The chance to gain professional development and to develop (career path, training, etc.) within the organisation.
• The opportunity to contribute to our objective of saving lives, alleviating suffering and working with those most in need.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their complete application file (updated CV max 2 pages + motivation letter + references + ID card + Diploma + Certifications), Only applications with complete documentation will be considered.

By email to [email protected]

applications sent to any other email address will not be considered

Please indicate “Field Communications Manager” in the e-mail title.

We recommend all applicants to write a cover letter containing an introduction of yourself, explaining why you are applying for the position, and explaining why you think you are suitable for the position.

In-complete applications will not be considered

Only PDF and Word Format Applications will be considered

English CVs only

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline

Data Protection: The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your data will be treated confidentially. Only people part of the recruitment process have access to your data. MSF does not sell your data under any circumstances. If you have any questions or requests, you can contact [email protected]