Communication Advisor (m/f/x)

CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has a long tradition of going beyond the medical and humanitarian act by bearing witness on the situations its staff encounter in areas of intervention and by speaking out when considered necessary. Communication is an integral part of the MSF’s operations for purposes of leverage, access, or simply to make an issue more visible. In order to achieve this objective, a wide network of communication professionals ensure that MSF’s voice can reach global and national audiences and stakeholders. At the Brussels Operational Centre (OCB) of MSF, this communication support is provided to operations by the Com-ops Unit (also called Combo for ‘Communications – Brussels Operations’).

The COMBO unit’s main tasks are to advise on and develop communications strategies and positioning on specific contexts or dossiers and support field teams with their communications activities. Depending on the context, the unit’s work can vary between giving high-level strategic positioning advice, overseeing and guiding the work of communications staff in the field, and producing finished communication materials. The unit’s members dedicate time and energy to supporting communications professionals based in the field and to liaising with counterparts in the other MSF operational centres. The unit is also expected to develop good working relations with the press and digital teams in MSF offices worldwide to ensure dissemination in line with intended objectives and target audiences of each communication.

The COMBO team is currently composed by 15 professionals including communication advisors, digital and AV/multimedia experts. Each communication advisor follows specific regions and portfolios of countries.

As Communications Advisor you are part of the “Combo” team and you report to the Operational Communication Coordinator based in Brussels

• You closely interact with Operations Coordinators, Regional Team Leaders for the countries covered as well as the Country Representatives
• You interact with the Analysis & Medical departments to develop strategic public positioning on the contexts/regions/countries/topics
• You provide technical support, mentoring and guidance to Field Communication Managers and Coordinators in the field
• You work in close collaboration with the AV and digital units to develop strong communication packages and digital strategies
• You participate actively to the Combo Unit meetings
• You participate to MSF’s intersectional platforms to discuss and interact with the Communication Advisors of other MSF’s operational centers and entities
• You interact with MSF partner sections/branch offices to provide adequate guidance and ensure impactful dissemination of the communication initiatives and tools

We are currently looking for two Communication Advisors.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify issues on which MSF should consider positioning itself publicly, based on its medical activities and observations, and help define and implement strategies, messages and tools for communicating such issues
• Develop and oversee the production of high-level public positioning and communication initiatives and build impactful dissemination strategies for media and social media
• Support and advise the teams managing operations at field and headquarters levels in their communications activities and strategies, provide a constant stream of information on these interventions, and help MSF continue exposing the medical humanitarian needs of the population it is helping
• Provide support to, mentor and coach field communications managers to develop communication strategies and initiatives in the project countries
• Respond to communication needs following an emergency or crisis situation in the project countries
• Be the primary source of information (reactively and proactively) for the wider MSF network on the activities in specific countries and topics
• Contribute to cross-cutting and transversal dossiers with other members of the Combo team
• Cover temporarily for communication on other countries / topics in the absence of other colleagues or upon request of the Combo Coordinator

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• University degree in communication, journalism, politics studies, international studies, social sciences or equivalent
• At least 4 years of professional experience in communication, international journalism or similar fields
• Experience working in the field with MSF or other humanitarian organisations is a strong asset
• Knowledge and understanding of how media function, internationally and on national or local levels
• Proven knowledge of digital and social media approaches and tools
• Knowledge of MSF operational communications processes is a strong asset
• Experience working in the field is highly desirable.
• Excellent record of productions of communications strategies and tools (written and multimedia)
• Specific knowledge/experience of specific humanitarian contexts and areas will be considered

Competencies

• A strong sense of initiative combined with team spirit
• Capacity to deliver in stressful situations
• Negotiation skills and ability to work with various interlocutors
• Flexibility
• Availability to travel on short notice

Language

• Excellent English writing skills
• Working knowledge of at least another between French, Spanish, Arabic (main languages used in MSF projects)

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: End of August 2024
• Location: Brussels (Belgium)
• Contract type:

1. An Open-ended contract – Full-time

2. 6 month maternity leave replacement – Fixed Term contract – Full-time

• 50% homeworking per week possible
• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid
• Meal Vouchers – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications : 20th of June 2024