Field Communication Officer – Beirut - Cholera Outbreak Response

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in 1971. Today, MSF provides independent, impartial assistance in more than 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, and exclusion from health care or natural disasters. MSF in Lebanon currently has 2 projects mainly on primary health care and mental health, in Wadi Khaled and the Bekaa valley.

MSF will have Cholera and COVID-19 isolation areas and Cholera community sample collection to support MoPH’s response to the Cholera outbreak.

As a part of the MSF response team, the selected candidate(s) might be exposed to potential contact with Cholera and COVID-19 patients. Therefore, all interested candidates must ensure NOT to have any medical pre-existing condition that would make them more vulnerable in case of contamination by the virus and bacteria.

COVID 19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth. People with the following pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to developing complications from this disease:

• Age > 60 years old
• Obesity and severe obesity – BMI >30 and ≥ 40
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, coronary disease, arrhythmia, heart failure
• Chronic lung disease (including asthma, COPD, TB), heavy smokers
• Chronic kidney or liver disease, including Hepatitis B/C
• Pregnancy

• Immunosuppression/immunocompromising conditions such as:

• • Cancer treatment
  • Bone marrow or solid organ transplant
  • Immunodeficiency
  • HIV/AIDS Prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants

Cholera

Cholera is an acute, highly transmissible, intestinal infection caused by toxigenic bacteria Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139. In its severe form, cholera is characterized by a sudden onset of acute voluminous watery diarrhoea that can rapidly lead to dehydration and death if left untreated. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk of dying quickly. Cholera is transmitted through:

• Drinking contaminated water
• Eating contaminated food (prepared with contaminated water/ kitchen tools, or mixed with contaminated food, or handled by infected persons or preserved in unhygienic conditions)
• Direct transmission from person-to-person is generally less common but can occur, particularly within households.

• Starting date: ASAP
• Type of contract: 100%, 2 months Fixed-Term Contract. Updated competitive salary package with benefits including allowances, medical coverage and paid leave
• Place of work: Beirut with frequent visits to MSF projects in Akkar (Wadi Khaled) and Bekaa Valley (Hermel & Arsal).
• Salary: LBP 2,524,788

• Scope of responsibility:

Contributing to the implementation of operational communication strategy in the mission according to MSF standards. Aiming at building MSF visibility, acceptance and leverage inside the country. Focusing on media alert, local media management and content diffusion.

• Function responsibilities include:
  1. Media Management
     • Under the supervision of the Field Communications Manager, the FCO establishes and maintains regular relations with key local media contacts (journalists, bloggers, photographers, and cameramen).
     • He/ she will handle local media requests and contact local media proactively to pitch MSF.
     • He/she organizes events for local media (Press conference, Press briefing…). The FCO may act as a spokesperson for local media, particularly in local languages not spoken by members of the field coordination team.

      

1. 2. Media Alert
      • The FCO monitors local media and flags significant articles, trends, news or reports of importance for MSF or on the context to Head(s) of Mission and Field Communications Manager (FCM).
      • He/she produces strategic reports on the local media landscape (key media, audience numbers, political affiliation, ownership, freedom of speech, use of social media) and regularly reports on new developments.
      • He/she provides guidance on how to deal with local media at time of crisis.

       

2. 3. Content Diffusion
      • The FC actively diffuses MSF content in the country in local languages and among local media. If judged applicable, he/ she uses social media (twitter, blogs, Facebook....) to promote this content.

       

3. 4. Content Production
      • The FCO supervises the production of local communication tools and products (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos) according to local strategy and budget.
      • In particular, he/she will help identify the right communications tools and will adapt/translate communications materials to targeted local audiences.

       

4. 5. Internal Communication
      • The FCO will help in promoting MSF external communications principles and material towards the national staff (Why does MSF communicate, what does MSF communicate about, how does MSF communicate) although it is his not his/her prime responsibilities.
      • He/ she will sensitize national staff about potential external communications risks.
      • If need be, he/ she can edit the production of internal communication tools (newsletter, etc.) under the supervision of the FCO.
      • When applicable the FCO will provide communication training for other staff.

       

5. 6. Reporting
      • The FCO will participate in communication data-collection and reporting as required

       

• Specific activities:
• The FCO tasks will be mainly contributing to the implementation of the operational communication strategy/action plan related to MSF’s response to the cholera outbreak in Lebanon - according to MSF standards.
• The position will require frequent visits to MSF projects in Akkar (Wadi Khaled) and Bekaa Valley (Hermel & Arsal). This will be at least once per week and require staying overnight.
• The position will require constant networking with the media to pitch MSF content and to accompany them throughout their visits to MSF projects
• The FCO is fully responsible and accountable to proactively pitch, manage, and generate social media content highlighting MSF’s response to the cholera outbreak on a regular basis, and timely manner.
• The Cholera outbreak in Lebanon is categorized as an emergency. The position requires full commitment and alertness to respond in case of unexpected/ anticipated evolution of the outbreak that requires timely communication 

• Experience required:

• Essential: Previous experience in social media content creation, developing com-munications key messages, and media outreach activities.

• Required education / qualification:

• Essential: degree in journalism, communications, political science, or international affairs studies.
• Desirable: previous MSF or I/NGO experience.
• Essential:
  • Good knowledge in Adobe (Premiere pro- Illustrator – Photoshop)
  • Excellent knowledge of MS-Office applications (word, excel, Outlook)
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Thorough knowledge of traditional media and excellent understanding of social media. Good networking and media relations skills. Has good balance between initiative and working in a team.

   

• Languages:
• Essential: Excellent command of English and Arabic language.
• Desirable: Excellent/good command of the French language.

• Personal qualification:

• People Management.
• Commitment.
• Flexibility.
• Results.
• Teamwork.

• Disclaimer:

Kindly note, that this position will require you working in a contagious disease setting. MSF has a long-standing commitment to the healthcare needs of our communities. The safety of patients and staff is our highest priority. During this Cholera outbreak, our commitment to giving a safe, reliable place to receive care is even more important to us.

Guided by our internationally respected infection prevention experts and recommendations, we have taken several steps in addition to our standard rigorous infection control measures to ensure our facilities remain safe places for working and providing care. However, that does not completely diminish the risk of sickness due to infection exposure, especially if failed to follow set infection prevention control measures, and guidelines.

Beirut, 30 November 2022

Médecins Sans Frontières / HR department