Field Communications Manager

Location                                    : Harare

Type of contract                  : Fixed term contract with probation of three months

Start Date                            : 1st April 2025

Immediate Supervisor         : Country Representative

Objective of the Post

Together with the Project Operational Responsible and the Country Representative define, implement, coordinate and supervise all operational communication activities in the mission or during an emergency according to MSF standards. The Field Communications Manager aims at building MSF visibility, acceptance and leverage inside the mission country and leads internal communication through promoting MSF external communications within staff, working closely with Project Coordinators and Regional Communications Advisor

Requirements:

Strategy Building:

• Under supervision of the Country Representative, in close collaboration and cooperation with the Project Operational Responsible and the Regional Communications Advisor, the Field Communications Manager defines the communications strategy for the mission and projects based on operation priorities defined by projects, advising on public positioning, and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications
• Promotes the visibility of the organisation, improving awareness of its principles and work, reinforcing information on MSF activities among communities
• Identify key information on MSF operations relevant to communications, advising on public positioning
• Develop guidelines for dealing with crisis communications through local and social media and have the capacity to remain reactive to emergencies
• Inputs into the production of international communication content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means to the Communication Advisor or the communication person in charge of writing international communications content at headquarter level
• When judged opportune and strategic, she/he uses social media (X, blogs, Facebook, WhatsApp ....) to promote MSF contents and visibility

Representation, Budgeting and Reporting:

• 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 times of crisis, and will develop guidelines for dealing with such crises through in-country media
• Reports on achieved results and future priorities, working closely with Country Representative, Project Operational Responsible and Regional Communications Advisor
• Manages the communications budget, supporting identified and agreed communication priorities, at both country and project level

Media and Stakeholder Management:

• Maintains close contact with key local media and foreign media correspondents
• Liaises with communications staff from other organisations and institutions, monitoring and analysing the communication lines developed by actors of importance for MSF (authorities, the medical humanitarian fraternity, and other NGOs…)
• Facilitates international media visit to MSF projects and he/she organizes media events (press conference, press briefing…) in collaboration with MSF international communication network
• Briefs spokespersons and assesses media training needs for key country and project staff

Content Production 

• Advises on which communications tools to use according to objective, message, and audience at local and country level. He/she then produces - or supervises the production of local communications contents (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos) according to the communication strategy (CIF – Communication initiative Framework) and budget
• Helps producing international comms content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means to the Communications Advisor or the communications person in charge of writing international communications content at headquarter level
• Tracks and archives communications production on the country to build institutional memory

Qualification and Experience:

• University Degree in Journalism, Communications, Media & Society Studies, Humanitarian affairs, or related field
• Academic background to Masters’ level (communication, media, anthropology/social/political sciences, law, Gender studies, Protection) with first-rate writing skills and excellent research / analytical skills

• Essential previous working experience of at least 5 years in communications, journalism or public relations
• Essential previous working experience in communications contemporary content production
• Essential field humanitarian experience in similar contexts (conflict, disasters, resource-poor environments) – MSF or other humanitarian International NGOs experience required
• Essential English and at least one of the main local languages, both written and spoken
• Essential computer literacy (database design/analysis, MS package, and internet-based research)
• Knowledge of multi-media, videography and photography skills essential ▪ Flexible with a good team working spirit

Interested, qualified and experienced candidates meeting the above criteria should forward their detailed CVs & motivation letter on or before Friday 7 February 2025, to msfocb-harare@brussels.msf.org

 

N.B.     Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please note that MSF-Belgium, Zimbabwe Mission does not solicit any organization or individual to recruit on their behalf. No fee is charged throughout the recruitment, selection and placement process; Canvassing will lead to disqualification of candidates