Main Objective:

To define, implement, coordinate and supervise all operational communication activities according to MSF standards in Pakistan. The FCM aims at building MSF visibility, acceptance and leverage inside Pakistan.

For any large-scale emergencies, an Emergency Field Communications Manager with the same responsibilities as the FCM may be sent to the mission.

The FCM position is shared between the three (3) operational sections currently present in Pakistan. The 3 sections work in close collaboration and share the same communications policy, It is expected from the FCM to work independently and autonomously, responding to the needs of the 3 sections and adapting according to the priorities defined jointly with the 3 Heads of Mission.

Responsibilities:

Strategy Building:

• To actively find communications opportunities to strengthen MSF’s position and image as an independent and impartial medical humanitarian organisation.

• Under supervision of the Head(s) of Mission and in cooperation with the Communications Advisors in headquarters, the FCM defines the communications strategy for the mission and implements it, advising on public positioning and remaining reactive to emergencies and crisis communications.

• The FCM promotes the visibility of the organisation, improving awareness of its principles and work, reinforcing information on MSF activities among communities.

• The FCM should have the capacity to identify key cross cutting issues across MSF operations which are relevant to communications and to advise on public positioning.

• He /she will develop guidelines for dealing with crisis communications through local media and have the capacity to remain reactive to emergencies.

• In emergencies with high media pressure the (E)FCM is able to act as a spokesperson to take interview pressure away from the field teams.

• The FCM will develop, supervise and monitor the digital strategy implementation

Media Management/Alert:

• The FCM maintains close contact with key local media and foreign correspondents.

• The FCM liaises with communications staff from other organisations and institutions, and will monitor and analyse the communication lines developed by actors of importance for MSF (authorities, armed groups, other NGOs…).

• The FCM facilitates international and local media visits to MSF projects in collaboration with MSF international communication network and he/she organizes media events (press conferences, press briefing).

• The FCM briefs spokespeople and assesses media training needs for key staff.

• He/she can play the role of a spokesperson when seen as opportune and necessary.

• The FCM 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 time of crisis, and will develop guidelines for dealing with such crises through in-country media

• Team Management

• The FCM manages, develops and supervises staff (Field Communication Officers) under his/her direct responsibility.

• Content Production

• The FCM advises on which communications tools to choose according to the objective, message and audience at local and national levels. He/she then produces – or supervises the production of – local communications content (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos.) according to strategy and budget.

• The FCM helps produce international communications content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means to the CA or the person in charge of writing international communications content at headquarter level.

• The FCM tracks and archives communications productions on the country to build institutional memory.

• Content Diffusion

• The FCM actively promotes the diffusion of MSF content in the country. Under the supervision of the Heads of Mission, the FCM identifies communications opportunities using the MSF communications network productions (from List_Press) or returning staff to pitch content on MSF activities in the country and other countries.

• The FCM manages the social media channels (Twitter, blogs and Facebook) to increase MSF’s visibility and promote MSF’s identity in Pakistan

• Reporting

• The FCM produces regular reports on achieved results and future priorities.

• Budget Management

• The FCM will produce a yearly communications budget meant to support identified and agreed communications priorities. This budget will be submitted for approval to the Heads of Mission and the communications department at headquarters

Requirements

Education

• Essential: degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Sciences or related subject.

Experience

• Essential: previous working experience of at least 4 years in communications, journalism or public relations in Pakistan.
• Essential: previous working experience in communications content production
• Essential: experience with MSF or other international NGOs.
• Essential: experience working in an international environment

Languages

• Excellent command of English and local languages

Knowledge & Competences

• Computer literacy (word, excel and digital media)
• Knowledge of the media landscape in Pakistan
• Good working knowledge of social media channels
• Desirable: Audiovisual and graphic design skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and local languages
• People management experience
• Commitment.
• Flexibility
• Able to work diplomatically
• Results driven
• Team player