Médecins Sans Frontières (also known as Doctors without Borders or MSF) is a private, non-profit, international humanitarian medical organization that intervenes in emergencies and crisis situations to relieve human suffering resulting from unmet medical needs. MSF observes strict neutrality with respect to politics and provides its assistance without discriminating on the basis of race, religion, ideology, or political affiliation. MSF’s members are required to respect humanitarian principles and principles of medical ethics at all times.

MSF Holland is looking for: FIELD COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

· Number of Position: One

· Terms of employment: 1 year with a possibility of extension

· Remuneration and Benefits:

– Starting gross salary/month: 23,520.00 ETB

– Medical Coverage : as per organizational scale

– Transportation allowance: 2,200 ETB

· Date of application: 6 – 13 July, 2021

Main Purpose

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 alerts, local media management and content diffusion.

Accountabilities

a) 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 materials linked to our activities in-country.

• He/she organizes events for local media (press conference, press briefing, media workshops…). The FCO may act as a spokesperson for local media, particularly in local languages not spoken by members of the field coordination team (as directed by the Head of Mission)

b) 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(s) (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.

c) Content Diffusion

• The FCO 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 under supervision of FCM.

d) 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.

e) Internal Communication

• The FCO will help in promoting MSF external communications towards the national staff (Why does MSF communicate, what does MSF communicate about, how does MSF communicates) although it is his not his/her prime responsibilities.

• He/ she will sensitize national staff about potential external communications risks on a regular basis, including adapting communications guidance into local languages..

• If need be he/ she can edit the production of internal communication tools (newsletter, etc.) under the supervision of the FCM

• When applicable the FCO will provide communication training for other staff.

f) Reporting

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

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Media landscape analysis: Undertake a detailed media landscape analysis at capital level, and in the areas where MSF runs medical and humanitarian activities. This includes a countrywide over-view of the media landscape, and individual media mapping briefs for project coordinators in areas of MSF operations.

• Management of MSF’s engagement with national media: Initiate, maintain and update MSF’s national media journalists’ contact list/network and manage MSF’s national media engagement including: meeting/call log of contact made, what was discussed and outcome and keeping a record of opportunities identified and then materialized.

• Media monitoring: Implement and compile daily national media monitoring on issues of relevance to MSF to support our context analysis and horizon scanning for communications opportunities and threats. Including: Daily email shared with coordination and project teams, including brief analysis of current trending topics and links to articles/posts, and database compiling MSF mentions in the media.

• Content production: Produce (written, audio, video) various communications tools (articles, social media content, pitching interviews, etc. ) to support MSF’s national communications objectives. Specific focus to be given to producing tools in local languages. A record to be kept of communications initiatives undertaken, validated and disseminated.

• Field Visits: Support FCM during field visits, and independently undertake field visits to collect content, information, testimonies, photos, etc.

• Briefing of new staff: The FCO will support with briefing of new staff (both national and international) to inform them on the communications priorities, protocols, sensitivities and risks.

Requirements

Education

· Essential: degree in Journalism, Communications or related university degree

Experience

· Essential: previous working experience of at least two years in communications, journalism or public relations in the country. Essential: previous working experience in dealing with media in the country

Languages

· Excellent command of mission language(s) is essential (English and Amharic). Proficiency in other Ethiopian languages (Tigrinya and Oromo) is desirable

Knowledge

· Excellent writing skills, thorough knowledge of traditional media and good under-standing of social media, good networking and media relations skills, computer lit-eracy (word, excel and internet), outgoing personality, good balance between initia-tive and working in a team