Strategic Communications Advisor Based in Amman

Job Offer

Médecins Sans Frontières Suisse has a vacancy for a:

Strategic Communications Advisor- Based in Amman

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. We are an independent, neutral, impartial humanitarian organisation and go where needed most. Our teams of doctors, nurses, logisticians, and other frontline workers are often among the first on the scene to respond to the needs of people whose lives have been upended by a crisis. MSF offers assistance to people based solely on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation.

At Médecins Sans Frontières, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees.

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

Context & Mission

As part of the communications and fundraising department based in Amman, the Strategic Communication Advisor (SCA) position is one of the six public positioning referent to provide strategic advice, coordination and execution from a public positioning perspective including visibility and local communications.

The Strategic Communications Advisor is the first responder for a portfolio of countries and/or topics for all public positioning and communications matter (internal/external.

the sparring partner of the program manager .

The strategic communication Advisor has a senior role to play in providing his/her analysis, contributing inputs about positioning[1], advices on tactics as well as identifying messages and powerful tools that relates to the topic, speaker and intended audiences (offline and online).. Positioning discussion should happen in triangular mode between the program Manager, the Advocacy Advisor and with other inputs (negotiation, UREPH, Dirop, GD…) when relevant.

– validate a regular flow of information on MSF response to humanitarian crises, both within OCG, the movement and externally, and liaises with international media, in partnership

– go to the field to cover MSF emergency response, respond to unexpected gaps and act as a sparring and strategic partner of our program manager, heads of mission and field coms staff.

• Gathers, develops, and checks the accuracy of information with thorough research into accessible narratives
• Has “a nose for news” seeking to find ways to tell the story and impact through engaging articles, video scripts/narration, social media posts/plans and make decisions regarding content and offering solutions

Main responsibilities

1. Public Positioning referent

*Strategic Advice on public positioning

• Shapes, flags, develops and drives the validation of coherent messages, press releases and tools to position MSF publicly (videos and Opinion pieces), and leads strategic communications plan/tactics for public use. Identifies speaking out/ “Telling It as It Is” opportunities
• Provides field focused analysis, timely strategic advice on the core identity of the organization and bridges the gaps between the perceived and desired identity of MSF based on offline and online narratives;
• Represents OCG in intersectional communication platforms, including operational, hubs, entities and partner sections and ensuring consistency of messages across the movement to maximise OCG positioning. Provides and integrates MSF OCG views on intersectional positioning and operational updates
• Translates ideas, objectives, MSF position into messaging that relates to the topic, speaker and intended audiences (offline and online). Develops and writes briefings and other communications for executives; articles/White papers, blog, web content translating complicated concepts and ideas.
• Handles unique external/internal projects that surface including work with external partners and organizations to coordinate engagement

*Senior Content Management

• Produces, drives validation and is accountable of timely production of articles, press releases, packages and other communications materials such as Q and As/talking points, in order to provide quality and coherent communication materials, messaging to the MSF network
• Is the first source of information for the Cell, the communications and Fundraising department and for the wider MSF network on OCG activities in the countries of the cell
• Acts as a spokesperson when required and manage media inquiries. Set-up media opportunities
• Is a focal point, leads, drives and coordinates public communications by engaging audiences across the globe on the cell’s countries on behalf of the cell and to MSF network
• Develops narratives around key initiatives to be shared across MSF network. Oversees tools and produces strategic content, public communication materials such as opinion piece, public facing report, speech for senior management, talking points, public communications guidance (reactive and proactive line) and optimize the form and dissemination of public positioning materials
• Initiates and drives approval of all communications content within an agreed frame:

o Approval of visibility and acceptance communications packages and products

o Approval of leverage communications packages and products, ensuring messages are pre-agreed with PM/DPM/HoM

o Approval of social media content

o Approval of country sections in MSF annual reports, including the International Activity Report and the OCG annual report

o Approval of Fundraising content

• Builds an internal network with relevant units at OCG, in other operational centers and hubs to identify public communications opportunities,provide communications guidance and support; participates in related working group.

2. Be a first responder in case of Emergencies and Crisis Communications

• Is on call 24/7 and able to travel abroad on short notice
• Drives and provides communications expertise and response to cover emergencies.
• Attends crisis calls/meetings, write and share internal/external updates. Ensure an appropriate flow of internal and external information and handle media requests, liaise with international media, organize the visit of journalists to the field in collaboration with the media units in Geneva or MSF sections/ Field teams and the cell as needed.
• Is a member in crisis management teams on critical incidents

3. Field Communications Management/support and Capacity building

• Covers temporarily field coms or other colleagues and provide support and mentoring to develop communications strategies and tools.
• Undertakes regular field visits throughout the year.
• Animates and Defines the conception, preparation and implementation of training modules and the online communication tool box for communications and operational staff.
• Briefs/debriefs senior expatriates going on missions.
• Works closely with other communications colleagues in terms of monitoring, feedback and retrospective/evaluation impact
• Field HR management: listening, matching, recruitment and management of field communications staff. Mentoring, and technical support.

Your Profile

Education

• University Master in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations, journalism, communication management or public relations

Experiences

• 5-8 years’ work experience journalism and/or communications, and/or content generation (inside or outside of MSF) in the humanitarian sector, and/or MSF ops experience
• Excellent public communications skills and sound knowledge of the media environment
• Proven capacity to work in stressful environment and to tight deadlines
• A year of MSF and/or field experience a strong asset.
• An understanding of humanitarian interventions, their principles and ethics.
• Track record of developing successful communications

Languages

• Highly effective oral and written communication skills in English
• Ability to understand oral and spoken Arabic is a strong asset
• French is an advantage

Professional competencies

• Solid understanding of dilemmas associated with humanitarian assistance
• Strong knowledge of crisis communications and public relations skills
• Available to travel to the field with very short notice for a cumulative minimum of eight weeks per year
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills including ability to accurately synthesize complex and sensitive material to produce content for publication
• Demonstrated understanding of how media works at national, local and international level
• Ability to deliver multiple simultaneous projects

Personal Abilities

• Aligns with the core values of MSF
• A sense of humour
• Demonstrates behaviours in ways of working: Articulate, creative, strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly, innovate fearlessly, tenacious.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Terms of Employment
• Position based in Amman with regular visits to the field
• 3-year term renewable once, maximum 6 years
• Full-time, 100%
• Ideal starting date: mid-March 2023
• Remuneration: from JOD 36,000.- to JOD 43,200.- (salary level according to seniority and internal salary grid)

How to apply

Candidates submit their application following the requirements: CV 2 p. max. – letter of motivation 1 p. max. – in English., to [اضغط هنا لمشاهدة البريد اﻹلكتروني]

Closing date for application is 8th of February 2023

The applications will be treated confidentially.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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