Communications Advisor for Operations

Communications Advisor for Operations, (100%), MSF-Germany

I. General presentation

MSF-Germany:

Médecins Sans Frontières – Ärzte ohne Grenzen e.V. is the German section of the international aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/MSF. The organisation specialises in medical humanitarian assistance in crisis situations in more than 70 countries around the world. In Germany, MSF raises awareness of the human cost of crises and the work that the organisation does to address this suffering. Within the Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) MSF-Germany runs operations in Chad, Central African Republic, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Papua New Guinea. Furthermore the operational desk in Berlin is responsible for the management of a mobile sleeping sickness program. In addition MSF recruits field personnel from Germany and raises funds in order to support the field operations of MSF internationally. In 2012 the income of MSF-Germany was 71 Mio. Euro and 292 volunteers departed to MSF’s projects via the German office. MSF-Germany is one of 19 MSF sections that make up the international movement.

The Communications Department

The department consists at this moment of 14 staff members (focussing on media work, online communication, publications and events). Main focus of the communications activities is the delivery of accurate and transparent information about MSF’s activities worldwide and about the humanitarian problems we face in the field to increase visibility, gain acceptance in the local, national and international community and to leverage changes in the environment. Strong (departmental) links exist with the Operations, Fundraising and Human Resource Departments as well as with the General Director, the Berlin Advocacy Unit and the wider MSF network.

II. Terms of reference:

Job title: Communications Advisor for Operations
Job location: MSF-Germany, Berlin
Job dimension: 100 %
Starting of Job: 15th of August 2013 (depending on availability)
Duration: two years definite contract, extension possible
Salary: Group 3 of MSF-Germany Salary System, starting with a maximum gross salary of 3.274,00 € depending on relevant previous work experience
Deadline for application: 14th of July 2013

Place within the organisation:

The Communications Advisor will be part of 2 teams (Communications Department and the Operational Unit) and reports hierarchically to Communications in Berlin. The position is located in the Operational Unit.

As part of the OSCAR platform (Operational Support: Communications, Advocacy and Reflection), the Communications Advisors (CAs) play a key role in supporting MSF’s operations: developing and managing the implementation of broad reaching communications strategies; advising all levels of MSF OCA on communication issues, public positioning and messaging; producing and disseminating high quality effective communications materials for dissemination throughout the MSF network; responding to communications/media requests by the MSF communications network; and advising/supporting MSF’s communication response during emergencies.

III. Description of activities:

Overall objective of the position:

• Advises (reactively and pro-actively) the field and the Operational Unit about external communications on a tactical and strategic level
• Ensures proper, transparent and timely correct external and internal communications on the projects and their relevant issues
• Develops new tools and ideas to improve MSF´s internal and external operational communication
• Develops strategies for international and regional communication on MSF’s topics

Tasks

A. Advice:

• Advises the field and the Operational Unit reactively and pro-actively on external operational communications and the right tools to achieve the best impact
• Visits regularly the field in order to give consultancy advice to the field in terms of communication strategies, media strategies or media contacts
• Develops and formulates - in cooperation with the field, the Humanitarian Affairs Advisors and the Operational Unit – strategies and messages for external communication and public positioning
• Links with Communications Departments and Communications Advisors as well as Humanitarian Affairs Advisors of other OCA sections
• Keeps in contact with other Operational Centres in order to discuss and match messages and to guarantee the information flow within the MSF network
• Informs and advises the Communications Department on specific topics concerning the projects
• Cooperates closely with and supervises local communications staff in the field

B. Media and editor work:

• Writes and coordinates press releases, Q+As, media briefings, media conferences on operational topics
• Works as temporary field press officer during emergencies, if necessary
• Maintains and builds up contacts with media about operational topics
• Arranges interviews with fieldworkers during and after their field stay
• Stimulates and arranges interviews with MSF staff
• Follows media analysis about project countries, informs and advises the field, the Operational Unit and the network
• Supports media work for international projects
• Writes articles and updates for all MSF-publications about project countries and for external media on request
• Acts as spokesperson, if necessary, for the operational portfolio and relevant topics

C. Training:

• Prepares and supports MSF staff in case of interviews
• Contributes to training modules for fieldworkers
• Briefs and debriefs fieldworkers on how to deal with the media

D. Networking:

• Keeps in permanent contact with Communication colleagues and Humanitarian Affairs Advisors in Berlin, Amsterdam, and the UK (OCA) about operational issues with possible communication impact
• Keeps the whole communication network informed about upcoming issues, press releases, interviews, etc

IV. Requirements:

• Academic degree and/or professional training in communications
• Notable experience in public communications environment, desirable in the field of humanitarian aid
• Good understanding of humanitarian work, MSF field operations, field experience an asset
• Fluent written and spoken English, French an asset
• Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills, proven negotiation and advisory skills
• Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies
• Proven ability to plan and manage rapid response communications in times of crisis
• High socio-political sensitivity, genuine interest in and commitment to humanitarian principles
• Strong interpersonal management skills and high commitment to integrate into existing team, proven experience in supervising staff
• High commitment and level of tolerance to working under tight and demanding deadlines
• Flexibility and willingness to extensively travel to the field
• Willingness to work in crisis areas worldwide
• and last but not least: a good sense of humour!

In case of further questions please contact: Sylvana Pikowski (HR Officer) at +49-30-700 130-216

We offer a very interesting position in a highly dynamic field with a strong and motivated team. We are looking forward to reading your application.

How to apply:

Please hand in your complete written application with text samples and two reference names until: 14th of July 2013

Ärzte ohne Grenzen, Human Resources Department, Sylvana Pikowski Am Köllnischen Park 1,10179 Berlinwww.aerzte-ohne-grenzen.de via e-mail: bewerbung.ber@berlin.msf.org