FIELD COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER (FCM)

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Strategy Building

• Under supervision of the Head of Mission and in cooperation with the Communications Advisor in HQ, the FCM defines the communications strategy for the mission, advising on public positioning and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications.
• The FCM promotes the visibility of the organisation, improving awareness of its principles and work, reinforcing information on MSF activities among communities.
• The FCM should have the capacity to identify key cross cutting issues across the mission’s operations which are relevant to communications and to advise on public positioning.
• He /she will develop guidelines for dealing with crisis communications through local media and have the capacity to remain reactive to emergencies.

Media Management

• The FCM maintains close contact with key local media and foreign correspondents.
• The FCM liaises with communications staff from other organisations and institutions and will monitor and analyse the communication lines developed by actors of importance for MSF (authorities, armed groups, other NGOs…).
• The FCM facilitates media visits to MSF projects and he/she, on key occasions, organizes media events (Press conference, Press briefing…) in collaboration with MSF international communication network.
• The FCM facilitates media interviews, briefs spokespersons and assesses media training needs for key staff.
• He/she can play the role of a spokesperson when seen as opportune and necessary.

Media Monitoring

• The FCM produces strategic reports on the local media landscape and regularly reports on new developments.
• He/she provides guidance on how to deal with local media at time of crisis, and develops guidelines for dealing with such crises through in-country media.
• The FCM regularly updates the Head of Mission on the latest developments on the security/ health situations (through weekly media reviews) and on running operations. He/she flags to the HOMs any important event affecting the population or the health system in areas where MSF is running operations.

Content Production

• The FCM advises on which communications tools to choose according to objective, message and audience at local regional, and international levels.
• He/she then produces - or supervises the production of - communications content documenting the situation by collecting/producing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos, in coordination with the relevant CA. He / She should be able to coordinate with teams and freelancers on the ground for the collection of audio-visual material, if needed. The FCM tracks and archives communications production on the country to build institutional memory.

Content Diffusion

• The FCM actively promotes the diffusion of MSF content in the country and within the MSF network. Under the supervision of the Head of Mission, the FCM identifies communications opportunities using MSF comms network production or returning staff to pitch content on MSF activities in the country.
• The FCM also oversees and supports the management of the MSF social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and the publication of information on MSF projects.

Reporting

The FCM produces regular reports on achieved results and future priorities. Networking

• The FCM collaborates with other stakeholders working in communications for MSF Lebanon, which sometimes support operations (upon their request) in terms of AV editing/post-production, translation and monitoring.

Budget Management

The FCM produces a yearly communications budget meant to support identified and agreed com priorities. This budget is submitted for approval to the Head of Mission and CA at HQ level.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education

Essential University degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or any related field.

Experience:

Essential:

• previous working experience of at least 4 years in communications, journalism or related fields
• previous working experience in producing communications content production

Desirable:

• strong networking and media relations skills (including pan Arab media)
• experience with MSF or other international NGOs in developing countries.

Languages:

Essential: fluent in English and Arabic (written, spoken, read).

Desirable: Knowledge of French (written, spoken, read).

Additional requirements:

Availability to travel inside and outside the country including to insecure areas and to be on calls 24hrs during emergencies.