Operational Communications Advisor

Responsibilities and activities  

In close communication with team members, advocacy, operation and health advisers and other stakeholders you are responsible for the development of throughout communications strategies specific to each context. Ensuring that these strategies align with the needs in the field and with the country framework. Other responsibilities and activities are:  

• You are the focal point for operational communications and public positioning (often at an intersectional level) for staff in the country programs, including the single point of contact from Operations, regarding strategic communication and public positioning on behalf of and to the advantage of the country program. 

• You support in recruiting, functionally and technically supervise and coach (including providing training courses and other professional development opportunities) to country level communications staff (often intersectionally) and advise country management teams and HQ-level operations/medical managers and advisors. 

• You contribute to the development and delivery of trainings on communications and positioning. 

• You are informed of different of programs and their context as well as debates and discussions regarding specific themes within the humanitarian aid sector, communications and media landscape. 

• You ensure communications work is true to the spirit of our guiding intersectional strategic document, ´telling it as it is´, including advising and guiding country programs both in field and HQ, MSF partner sections and hubs - and meets MSF standards including factually correct information and data of our country programs, informed consent of participants and diversity, equity and inclusion. 

• You tailor public communications and content production related policies, strategies, tools and guidelines to the needs of country program staff and other key MSF interlocutors (including operations and Public Health Department).  

• You monitor the quality of deliverables from country programs and ensure the appropriate level is attained at an international level and mitigate and manage any risks to the staff, patients and the wider organisation (including security and reputation risks). This includes working with Humanitarian Affairs Advisors to ensure all briefing notes and reports are edited in line with MSF global editorial guidance. You are responsible for producing, managing and guiding the strategic dissemination of such materials to the wider MSF organisation, as well as externally.  

• You find solutions that satisfy differences of opinion, without compromising positioning and objectives that meets the communications needs of a wide range of MSF stakeholders.  

• You network and provide briefings with external stakeholders, such as journalists, high-level international media outlets, and content producers and other NGOs, and may on occasion, also represent MSF in media, external meetings and forums.  

• You are also responsive to emergencies, highly time sensitive demands in a hugely pressurised and mediatised environment, which is often unplanned and in response to critical incidents. You manage external and internal pressures, stress and demands of the organisation at an international (and intersectional level) in response to such emergencies. 

• You offer timely analysis, guidance and plans to mitigate disinformation and misinformation challenges in an ever-changing digitalised landscape, that put at risk our country programs, patients, staff and the organisation.  

• You develop communications risk matrices with an anticipatory approach, heavily reliant on foreseeing scenarios and presenting mitigation measures, that are integrated and utilised by operations to inform planning, direction and public positioning. 

• You join the Crisis Incident Management Team (CIMT) as the communications focal point during critical incidents – leading the comms strategy and advising the CIMT leader and Field Incident Management Team (FIMT) for the communications actions and decisions, as well as advising and providing guidance to the wider MSF network (including GDs and other directors).   

Candidate Profile  

For this ambitious and exciting position, we look out to find a flexible, upbeat and innovative person with the capability to adapt and adjust to different crisis situations and who is culturally sensitive and aware.  

• Communications expert with a journalism, communications or social science degree. 

• As this is a temporary maternity cover, previous MSF experience in the Communications area is required.  

• Excellent strategic communication and advisory skills are essential, proven in a journalistic or public communication environment.  

• Outstanding interpersonal skills are required, along with strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and good judgment.  

• Ability to work in a high-pressured environment is crucial to this position, as are successful negotiation and diplomatic skills.  

• You are a highly motivated and creative great teammate, who shows initiative and innovation. 

•  You have the flexibility to respond to emergency communications needs, and frequent international travel (up to 30% of the time).  

• An excellent command of the English language is crucial, French is highly desirable, Arabic, Russian and Spanish are a nice-to-have. Experience in digital content/multimedia production is an asset. 

Competencies 

Strategic vision 

Coaching/advising/training 

(Problem) Analysis and solving 

Negotiation 

Stress Management 

Integrity 

We offer 

A one-year employment contract in the country of residence (MSF-OCA partnering offices), based on 40 hours per week. Your exact salary will depend on relevant work experience and the local office salary grid. Other employment benefits will depend on the contracting office. 

Application