Field Communications Coordinator At MSF – Holland

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, we are a worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.

MSF coordinates operations through collaborations between global offices. The ‘MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam’ (OCA) is a partnership that is composed of the partners MSF-Canada, MSF-Germany, MSF-SARA, MSF-Sweden, MSF-Holland and MSF-United Kingdom. MSF-OCA has a team of more than 11,000 staff working in 115 emergency projects in about 31 countries.

The office of MSF-Holland located in Amsterdam hosts more than 400 employees, offering direct support to MSF-OCA operations. Around 50 staff focus on recruitment, communication and fundraising and 350 staff are focused on supporting MSF-OCA operations.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such, MSF is by choice (Chantilly) an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and commitment and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, disability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

As per 1 January 2022, we are looking for a:

Field Communications Coordinator

(Location: Based in Juba, South Sudan for 12 months)

This is a field position needed to support a mission in Juba, South Sudan. The contract is for 12 months starting on January 01, 2021. The candidate needs to be available for 12 months and is willing to travel to South Sudan.

Main Purpose

Being the MSF national focal point for MSF in order to generate a better understanding of MSF’s operations and to raise awareness about humanitarian crises in the country. Acting as a country coordinator and adviser for MSF sections on communication strategy, and effective management of crisis communications including related to security incidents. In case of an emergency, the FCC is the first responder to MSF movement. The FCC provides support to field operations teams in the country and leads the country field coms team. He/She closely liaises with the existing MSF communication resources in the region to ensure coherence in MSF’s communications in the region. The FCC reports to the Heads of Mission in country and has functional links with the Comms advisors at HQ level.

Place in the organisation

The Field Communications Coordinator is an intersectional position that seeks to facilitate public communication for all MSF sections. In order to do so he/she is in permanent contact with the Communications teams in the OCs and with the Heads of Mission in South Sudan. He/she manages the communications team in the country (two FCMs and one FCO).

Main Responsibilities

Strategize and coordinate MSF communication efforts in country

• Under supervision of the HOMs and in cooperation with the Communications Advisors in HQ, the FCC defines the communications strategy for the mission, advising on public positioning and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications.
• The Field Communications Coordinator is responsible for the set-up and the management of the communication unit.
• Be able to deploy and provide strategic communication support during the first days of a new emergency or a crisis situation in the region either in situ or by proxy.
• Maintain an “early warning system” on national/regional issues and news. Monitor major media trends for specific locations and provide this analysis to MSF heads of mission and communication staff.
• Coordinate the development of communications strategies in country and support communication advisers/field staff to develop and drive through intersectional strategies and agreements.
• Lead the MSF field communications Managers/Officers in the country/region to provide support and enhance coherence and output of MSF communications on specific issues and themes.
• Provide communications advice on national/regional issues: advise the field on specific communications issues relevant for the region.
• Timely flagging of communications opportunities and risks (that may require reactive support).
• Advise on public positioning in relation to key issues.
• Provide analysis on how other organisations communicate on key issues and provide insight into their public agendas; networking with communications officials of UN/other agencies and NGOs based in country.

Content Production

• Under the supervision of the Head(s) of Mission, the FCC ensures the appropriate, timely uses and the quality of social media to promote MSF contents and visibility in country and liaises with Nairobi office for regional dissemination.
• He/she oversees the content production to feed online platforms, lead the content production dissemination and greenlights initiatives and content in line with MSF principles, digital guidelines and the annual communication strategy and in coordination with the CWA.
• Provide information/data to the MSF communications network related to MSF operational projects, presence in the region.

Media management

• The FCC is first line for requests from network and journalists and delegates to FCM if need be. Also responsible for creating and maintaining network with international journalists in Juba and Nairobi (through/with Nairobi branch office).
• He/she accompanies visits from priority high calibre international media in the field.
• The FCC provides guidance and talking points to the spokespersons and brief them before interviews. The FCC creates communication training tool (if needed with support of CAs and Field Communication Training Unit in Vienna), to be given in the field – sensitize on communication within MSF, social media and media visits
• The FCC represents MSF in national and international media upon request/delegation by the HoMs.
• The FCC provides support and guidance to the FCO and FCMs if needed for sensitive or complex requests, as well as to align the networking and coverage with the main points included in the CCF (key national media, messages to be pushed, advocacy priorities). He/she will also guide the team on organising media events.

Management and Reporting

• The Field Communications Coordinator produces a monthly sitrep on the activities on behalf of the team, results and objectives for the next period and shares it with the HoM and HQ comms advisors. The Field Communications Coordinator is part of coordination teams at field level and attends weekly meetings with HoMs.
• He/she is responsible for developing and managing the budget with the finance department of the five missions.

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or related university degree. Four years of previous working experience in communications, journalism or public relations.
• Previous working experience of at least 5 years in communications, journalism or public relations.
• 1 year of experience in developing countries and/or unstable contexts
• Previous working experience in media management, coordinating communication strategies notably at time of emergencies/crisis and content production.
• Experience with MSF or other international NGOs in developing countries
• Experience and interest in the region and in humanitarian related matters.
• Previous experience in overseas work.
• Excellent management and communication skills, outgoing personality, good representation.
• Social media skills.
• People management skill
• Able to cope with high levels of stress/able to work in stressful environments
• Negotiation skills and a diplomatic approach
• Computer literacy (word, excel and digital media)
• Photography and video production skills
• A fluent command of the English language is required (minimum level C1). Fluent spoken French/Arabic and excellent writing skills –fluency in additional languages is highly desirable
• Flexible and available for 12 months