COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR FOR THE EMERGENCY UNIT

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.
The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and the mission coordination teams; together with the organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens and decentralised in Nairobi, Dakar and Amman. The field operations are guided and supported by 4 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations, including the Communication Department.

JOB GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND CONTEXT

Accountable to the Head of Operational Communications Unit, s/he supports and advises the Emergency Unit on operational communication strategies and activities. S/he is responsible to implement communication strategies in complex contexts, undertakes communication activities in the field and produces written and audiovisual materials.
S/he is the person responsible for developing and coordinating local, regional and international communication strategies based on an analysis of emergency projects. S/he also produces the material and tools needed to enhance the perception and acceptance of the organisation in the field.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Strategic support to Operations

• Acts as an advisor of the EU and the field mission for all communications related issues.
• Develops, together with the Head of the EU, the Heads of Mission and the Head of Information Unit, and implements communication strategies for his/her portfolio of missions, including perception and acceptance, communication/advocacy and visibility objectives and activities.
• Supports and advice MSF teams in the field and HQ when dealing with media, for instance organizing media trainings and briefing spokespeople.
• Participates in a 24 hour on-call service for communication and media issues relating to the portfolio of missions, in conjunction with the Head of Information Unit in Barcelona and the Press Officers.
• S/he coordinates with other MSF sections to share plans, strategies and activities
• S/he carries out briefings/ debriefings with international staff.
  Strategic communications management
• Produces written communication materials for internal and external use such as Press releases, briefing papers, web stories and updates, reports, articles for MSF magazines, etc.
• When in the field, produces photo and audiovisual material for external use.
• Manages media requests related to the portfolio of missions, organizing for instance interviews and field visits.
• S/he is the gate-keeper for internal/external information flow related to the specific projects
• S/he works closely with the Press Officers to ensure a wide dissemination of MSF messages to national and international audiences.
• S/he supports the Press Officer in the organization of press activities and campaigns related to her/ his portfolio.
• S/he contributes to and assists with the development of media relations strategy, including responsibility for formulating a media relations plan.
• S/he is available to leave as an Emergency Communication Officer when needed.
• S/he spends 30% of his/her annual working time in the fieldSELECTION CRITERIA
  Education and Experience
  
  • Degree in Information Sciences or Master in Communication.
• Experience of minimum 3 years as a journalist.
• Knowledge of photography and video highly desirable. Social media.
• English and Spanish. Command of French, Catalan and Arabic will be an asset.
• Experience and / or knowledge about MSF and the Humanitarian field will be highly considered.

Competencies
- Commitment to MSF’s Principles
- Cross-cultural Awareness
- Behavioural Flexibility
- Analytical Thinking
- Strategic Vision
- Results and Quality Orientation
- Service Orientation
- Initiative and Innovation
- Teamwork and Cooperation

CONDITIONS
- Position based in the Médecins Sans Frontières-Spain Barcelona Headquarters.
- Full time job.
- Minimum committment with the post of 3 years Annual gross salary: 35,608.10 € (divided in 12 monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward policy
- Starting date: ASAP

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, all applicants should please send their CV and cover motivation letter under the reference “COM ADV EU” to:
recruitment-bcn@barcelona.msf.org
Closing date: September 21st, 2015.
Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates.
Médecins Sans Frontieres, as a responsible employer, under article 38 of “Ley de Integración Social del Minusválido de 1982 (LISMI)” invite those persons with a recognised disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above mentioned position.