Iraq Field Communications Manager (Intersectional)

Reports to:                 Heads of mission for Iraq Line manager:            Communications coordinator (based in Geneva)          MSF in Iraq – background information MSF’s medical teams have been working in northern Iraq across Ninewa, Erbil, Dohuk, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Diyala, Salah Al Din and Baghdad governorates, in collaboration with local health authorities. MSF’s mobile teams work as close as possible to frontlines, where infrastructure has been badly damaged and services are lacking. They provide much-needed health services to displaced people, returnees and host communities who otherwise have limited access to healthcare and who often need to travel great distances and potentially risk their lives to access medical assistance. MSF also works in the southern governorates of Babil, Kerbala and Najaf, providing humanitarian aid and mental healthcare to thousands of displaced people from governorates including Ninewa and Anbar. Since May 2012, MSF has been the main humanitarian organisation providing medical services, in collaboration with the Directorate of Health of Dohuk, to Syrian refugees in Domiz camp, the largest refugee camp in Iraq. In Erbil governorate, a team of MSF psychologists and psychiatrists provide mental healthcare to Syrian refugees in the Kawargosk, Gawilan and Darashakran camps.   Main purpose of the role: The Iraq field communications manager has the responsibility to strategise and coordinate MSF’s communications efforts on Iraq. S/he also manages MSF’s key social media channels, produces content for the wider international movement and provides support to the Iraqi field communications teams in the country. MSF has different operational branches, or ‘sections’, actively responding to the humanitarian situation in Iraq, and a key part of this role is to ensure coordination of internal information and external communication across them. Key responsibilities: 1.      Strategise and coordinate MSF’s communications efforts on Iraq. Responsible for setting up and managing the Iraq communications unit. Under supervision of the heads of mission, and in cooperation with the communications advisers in HQs, define the communications strategy for MSF in Iraq, advising on public positioning and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications. Coordinate the development of communications strategies in Iraq and support communications advisers/field staff to develop and drive through intersectional strategies and agreements. Liaise with MSF field communications managers/officers in the country and in the region to provide support and enhance the coherence and output of MSF communications on specific issues and themes. Be able to deploy and provide strategic communications support during the first days of a new emergency or a crisis situation in the region, either in situ or by proxy. Provide communications advice on national/regional issues; advise the field on specific communications issues relevant for the region. Timely flagging of communications opportunities and of risks that may require reactive support. Provide analysis on how other organisations communicate on key issues and provide insight into their public agendas; network with communications officials of UN/other agencies and NGOs based in Iraq. Represent MSF in regional representation forum (related to public communications) and relay MSF’s concerns and priorities in Iraq.   2.      Content production Under the supervision of the heads of mission, ensure the appropriate use and quality of social media (eg Twitter) in English and Arabic to promote MSF content and visibility in Iraq. Organise regular meetings on content production to feed online platforms; lead the dissemination of content production; and greenlight initiatives and content in line with MSF principles, digital guidelines and the annual communications strategy.      3.      Media management Foster senior media relations (in liaison with relevant press officers, when needed), engaging with key journalists following Iraq to stay abreast of developments in media dynamics and public narrative on the situation there. Maintain and regularly update communications tools to help with media  management on Iraq (eg ‘media pitching docs’, factsheets, Q+As) for spokespeople and press officers around the movement. Support MSF press officers in correcting errors in reporting and misrepresentation of MSF in Iraq. Coach field-based MSF spokespeople and provide them with support in preparing for interviews on Iraq, as needed.   4.      Management and reporting Produce a monthly situation report on communications activities, results, team and objectives for the next period and share it with the heads of mission and HQ comms. 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 communications staff. Meet monthly with the heads of mission and participate in the coordination platform by attending the weekly coordination meetings. Provide information/data to the MSF communications network related to MSF operational projects and presence in the region.               Place within the organisation:   The Iraq field communications manager is an intersectional position that seeks to facilitate public communications for all MSF sections. In order to do so, s/he is in constant contact with the communications teams in the various HQs and with the heads of mission in Iraq. Regular visits to the field teams are an important part of the job.     Person specification:   Essential Previous work experience of at least four years in communications, journalism or public relations. Previous work experience producing communications content including written, video, photo and multimedia. Clear understanding of the principles and practice of humanitarian action. Fluency (written and spoken) in English and Modern Arabic. In-depth understanding of, and experience with, social media tools. Demonstrable ability to develop communications strategies to support operational and advocacy objectives. Networking and media relations skills, including the ability to represent MSF vis-à-vis external media and to provide media coaching, training and advice. Diplomatic, mature and flexible approach, with the ability to listen, negotiate, convince and find common ground, where necessary. Experience, tolerance and ability to cope with organisational complexity. Ability to cope with stress and occasional conflict. Ability to organise and prioritise workload, using initiative. Ability to act as part of a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. Culturally and politically aware. Proven management experience in order to recruit, coach and support more junior staff. Computer literacy (word, excel and digital media).     Desirable Degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or related university degree. Prior experience in MSF communications would be an advantage. Experience of working in a strategic communications role in the Middle East. Fluency in Kurdish would be an advantage.   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Thanks for your interest in this role. In order to get a better sense of your experience and aptitude for this work, we would like you to complete the questions below. Don’t worry, there is rarely a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer, but we are interested in your approach and your ideas. Brevity is encouraged – certainly do not exceed the word limit.   1) MSF has just been granted official permission to launch new activities in an area in Iraq. What should be the first steps to communicate about it locally and regionally? [250 words]   2) What role has social media played in Iraq and how can it be safely and effectively used by international humanitarian organisations? Give examples of good and bad practice. [300 words]   3) Which are the key media – international, regional and local – who MSF should be engaging with about the situation in Iraq? Give reasons for your answers. [250 words]