Field Communication Officer Lebanon

PLACE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION: In Lebanon: • Hierarchically accountable to the OCG Head of Mission for Lebanon • Functionally accountable to Communication Officers dealing with Lebanon In missions outside of Lebanon: • Hierarchically accountable to the OCG Head of mission in the project country Functionally accountable to the Communication Officer dealing with Lebanon OBJECTIVES AND TASKS Objectives and responsibilities of the position in Lebanon: • Communication of MSF activities and image in Lebanon through local and national media • Development (with the Head of Mission) of a media network within Lebanon. • Communication of MSF activities in Lebanon to the international media, in close collaboration with the Communication Officer and UAE office. • Development of communication tools for use in Lebanon. Media management and networking • Develop and maintain a network of media contacts with the Head of Mission and meeting them regularly (on monthly basis) • Develop a comprehensive understanding of media landscapes at local, regional and national level with a special focus on the arab media. ● Facilitate journalists’ requests for information in conjunction with the HoM • Find with the HoM appropriate ways to position MSF, to promote our principles and dissociate MSF from other ground actors. ● Monitor the media and the development of any news story that might have an impact on the project locations of OCG. ● Assist OCG field teams with incoming media inquiries that might/will have an impact on OCG field projects and are relevant to communicate on. ● Identify, together with the HoM and CA, potential spokespeople within the OCG project sites and provide them, when possible, with basic media trainings. ● Coach the identified spokespeople on relevant key messages we want to proactively communicate (in close coordination with the HoM) when and where possible ● List the incoming media requests in a media map file (excel format) and report them to the CA on a regular basis, brief media representatives where possible and provide them with the MSF activity updates. ● Assist MSF sections throughout the world with incoming communications and media inquiries or requests when and where possible such as organising media visits to field locations in collaboration with the HoM and CA. ● Ensure the list of accessible MSF project locations remains up to date, so that the CA, and UAE office stay aware which locations can facilitate (more) visits and which cannot. ● Update regularly (or whenever required) the list of spokespeople per location. Communications • Draw up a forward-thinking plan of communication activities in Lebanon with Hom and CA. • Develop content/material to be released to the media for the purpose of describing MSF activities in the country and pitch to appropriate media outlets (Lebanese and Panarab) • • Green-light all updates, articles, materials and press releases produced through the Head of Mission. Reporting • Keep Head of Mission and the MSF network updated on communications activities. • Maintain logbook of media contacts relevant to MSF in Lebanon • Maintain log of mentions of MSF in Lebanese media • Produce a report with overview of work done and plans for upcoming period • Liaise pro-actively with the UAE office and the MSF Communications officer in Amman and Communications Advisors of the relevant sections to ensure the above SPECIFIC TASKS (Outside Lebanon) The flying communication officer works and organises his/her time to pro actively fulfil the communication needs of the MSF movement, both at head-office and field levels. • Act as a press and/or information officer in the initial phase of emergencies • Elaborate media and advocacy strategies on issues arising in the location she is assigned in collaboration with the Heads of Mission and CA. • Produce feature articles, testimonies and interviews supported by audiovisuals for the MSF Communication Department and the MSF website • Assist missions as required in the development of internal (patient) communication materials • Tape, edit, write website stories in close collaboration with the desk, communication department and emergencies department (video, audio and pictures) • Organize media training for the MSF spokespersons in the field emphasizing MSF´s tradition of accountability and transparency • Raise the profile of MSF’s work in the region among local, foreign and international media Facilitate journalists´ field visits, respond to media queries and draft press releases in collaboration with the Heads of Mission and the Communication Department and the operational desks