Regional Communications Coordinator At Médecins Sans Frontières

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:

Regional Communications Coordinator

Place of work: based in coordination office Erbil – visits to all project’s locations.

Deadline for application: 12/06/2023.

⏺ Main purpose of the job:

The Field Communications Coordinator (FCC) is the country focal point for MSF’s communications and communications related activities and is responsible for generating a better public understanding of MSF’s operations and raising awareness

of the humanitarian crises/challenges in the country.

The FCC acts as a country coordinator, adviser, and key responsible for all the MSF sections present in the country and their projects on: communication strategy, public positioning, awareness raising, public advocacy (where relevant), and effective management of crisis communications (in particular related to security incidents). In case of an emergency the FCC is the first communications responder for the MSF worldwide movement and provides communications support to field operations teams in the country and leads the country field communications teams. The communications coordinator is the country’s focal point for all media and communications requests directed towards MSF in Iraq from elsewhere in the world.

The FCC liaises closely with existing MSF communication resources in the region to ensure coherence in MSF’s regional communications approaches and strategies. The FCC reports technically to the communications advisors at each MSF section’s headquarters’ level and has functional links with the Heads of the Mission present in the country.

⏺ Accountabilities:

– Place within the organisation: The FCC position is intersectional and the role seeks to facilitate public communication for all MSF sections working in the country. In order to achieve this, he/she is in permanent contact with the communications teams in the Operational Centres (OCs), the region and worldwide, as well as with the Head(s) of Mission(s) present in the country. Regular visits to the projects are mandatory.

1. Strategise and coordinate MSF communications efforts in the country:

• Under the supervision of the Head(s) of Mission and in collaboration with the Communications Advisors in headquarters, the FCC defines the communications strategy for the mission, advising on public positioning and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications needs.
• During the early stages of an emergency or a crisis, the FCC provides strategic communication support in situ or by proxy.
• Maintains an ‘early warning system’ on national/regional issues and news. Ensures that major media trends are monitored and provides analysis to Head(s) of Mission and communications staff in-country as needed.
• Coordinates the development and dissemination of an annual Country Communications Framework (CCF) strategy in-country and supports Communication Advisers/field staff in developing and driving ad hoc strategies and communications initiatives.
• Liaises with MSF Field Communications Managers/Officers in the country and in the region, and provides support and enhances the output and coherence of MSF communications on specific issues and themes as defined in the country’s communications framework.
• The FCC is responsible for guiding the communications team members to building effective and strategic relationships with key influential media as well as a wider general network of media relations.
• Provides communications advice on national/regional issues and advises projectson specific communications issues relevant to the region.
• Identifies communications opportunities and risks (that may require reactive support).
• Advises on public positioning related to key issues. Liaises with Humanitarian Affairs Officers/ Advocacy

  Managers, Head(s) of Mission(s) and any other relevant field staff members.

• Provides analysis on how other organisations communicate on key issues and provides insight into their

  public agendas; networks with communications officials from the UN, other agencies and NGOs based in

  the country.

• The FCC is the focal point for gathering communications needs from the MSF sections present in the country and he/she is responsible for developing the request into concrete communications plans, in line with the country communications framework and MSF’s international communications guidelines, then delivering the initiative to the communications team for implementation.

2. Content production

• Under the supervision of the Head(s) of Mission(s), the FCC ensures regular production of different high quality communications contents in English and local languages for use in Iraq and beyond.
• The FCC is responsible for ensuring the high quality of MSF’s communications materials in Iraq and is responsible for ensuring the best practices in disseminating the contents.
• The FCC ensures appropriate and timely use of social media in English and in local languages to promote MSF’s visibility in the country. The FCC is responsible for the quality of the content produced and published, and for establishing and disseminating digital guidelines.
• Leads the dissemination of content produced and greenlights initiatives and content in-line with MSF principles.
• Provides information/data to the wider MSF communications network related to MSF operational projects and our presence in the country.

3. Management and reporting

• The FCC is part of the coordination team at country level and attends regular meetings with the Head(s) of Mission(s) and takes part in the weekly coordination meetings held by the MSF sections present in the country.
• Produces a monthly report on the activities carried out by the communications team in the field. This report is comprised of the objectives and results for the past period as well as for the next reporting period. The FCC is responsible for the set-up and the management of the communications team.
• Manages members of the field communication teams, sets their objectives and evaluates their work on at least a yearly basis.
• Is responsible for flagging potential Human Resource gaps in communications in the country and supports or leads recruitment procedures at country level.
• Is responsible for ensuring the proper allocation and management of the communication budget at country level, in coordination with the Finance Coordinator of the referent mission.

⏺ Specific requirements for the role:

– Education:

• Essential: university degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, or a related subject

– Experience:

• Essential: at least 5 years work experience in communications, journalism or public relations.
• Essential: previous work experience with media management, coordinating communications strategies notably during emergencies/crises, and content production.
• Essential: experience with MSF or other international NGOs that work in developing countries.
• A demonstrable interest in the region and in humanitarian issues.

– Languages:

• English
• Regional/local language(s) a strong asset

– Knowledge:

• Essential: Excellent computer skills and strong experience in digital media

– Competencies:

• Strategic vision
• Leadership
• Capacity to work autonomously
• People management
• Planning
• Teamwork
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

⏺ What we offer:

• Legal contract and pay in accordance with MSF Salary Grid, Level 12
• 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.