Field Communications Manager

Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) is an International Medical Humanitarian association that delivers emergency aid to people affected by epidemics, healthcare exclusion, armed conflict and natural or man-made disasters. MSF is working in Tajikistan in the field of Tuberculosis. Our projects focus on providing treatment and social support to the patients, and currently our activities in Tajikistan consist of holistic TB treatment in our Project ZERO TB in Kulob.

MSF is currently looking for a qualified, capable, flexible and motivated person for the position of Field Communications Manager. MSF offers a package of benefits: 25 working days of annual leave yearly, medical coverage, training and career growth opportunities, challenging work with internationally renowned humanitarian organization. 

Job Location:  Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Purpose:

To define, implement, coordinate and supervise all operational communication activities according to MSF standards in the mission/or during an emergency. The FCM aims at building MSF visibility, acceptance and leverage inside the mission country. For any large scale emergencies, an Emergency Field Communications Manager EFCM with the same responsibilities as the FCM may be sent to the mission.

Accountabilities

• Defines and reviews the communications strategy for the mission, advises on positioning and remains reactive to emergencies and crisis communications, including messages, tools and lobbying activities 
• Promotes actively the diffusion of MSF content in the country; identifies communications opportunities
• Promotes actively the visibility of the organisation, improving awareness of its principles and work, reinforcing information on MSF activities among communities
• Promotes and assists in the implementation of communication activities locally, nationally and   
• internationally
• Identifies key cross cutting issues across MSF operations which are relevant to communications and  advises on public positioning
• Develops guidelines and provides guidance on how to deal with local media at time of crisis
• Maintains and develops a network with key local media, international media, other IOs/NGOs, local communities and other actors, in order to facilitate better access for MSF teams to the target populations
• Facilitates international media visit to MSF projects and organizes media events (Press conference, Press briefing) in collaboration with MSF international communication network 
• Briefs spokespersons and assesses media training needs for key staff, and organizes discussions, training activities and briefings on communication topics, in order to raise awareness of these mat-ters among mission staff. Fulfils the role of a spokesperson when seen as opportune and necessary 
• Produces strategic reports on the local media landscape and regularly reports on new developments 
• Advises on which communications tools to choose according to objective, message and audience at local and national levels
• Supervises the production of - local comms contents (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos) according to strategy and budget 
• Supports producing international comms content by providing data, information, quotes, testimonies, pictures, videos and other means 
• Tracks and archives communications production on the country to build institutional memory
• Uses social media (twitter, blogs, Facebook) to promote MSF contents and visibility, when judged opportune and strategic
• Produces a yearly communications budget meant to support identified and agreed com priorities
• Produces regular reports on achieved results and future priorities
• Implements Human Resources-policy regarding needs, performance, absence and mobility for the communication team and ensures that MSF acts as a responsible employer in terms of working conditions and reduction of security and health risks
• Manages, coaches and develops his/her direct reports (National Information Officer and National Communications Assistant) 
• The post holder should display personal commitment and have respect for professional ethics, humanistic ideals, human rights and basic knowledge of humanitarian international law as well as a general attitude characterized by neutrality, impartiality and non-discrimination.
• In cooperation with the HOM and the Communications Advisor (CA) the FCM raises awareness about MSF’s activities in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and worldwide.
• The FCM builds and maintains close contact with key local and national media.
• The FCM builds and maintains close contact with relevant contacts among key governmental stakeholders (ministry’s press-services etc.) and relevant people in local and international NGOs.
• The FCM promotes publications about MSF’s activities in Uzbekistan/Tajikistan and all over the world (through the media and influential social media channels in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan).
• The FCM supports the mission social media channels and in cooperation with the CA selects or produces the content; s/he ensures that all necessary authorizations are obtained and when needed adapts the content to the context.
• The FCM participates in the development of the Country Communications Framework in accordance with the relevant documents and policies.

Context Specific Accountabilities

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION:

MSF has been providing support in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan for more than 25 years. In close cooperation with the Ministries of Health, the organization contributes to improving the diagnosis and treatment of people with tuberculosis, including drug-resistant forms of the disease, and HIV. MSF works in close collaboration with the Ministries of Health and strictly adheres to relevant agreements signed with the authorities of the Government of Uzbekistan and Government of Tajikistan and MSF policies.

Salary: Gross salary is 12061 TJS. 

Please send your CV and cover letter, with a subject line FCM application, to: 

tajikistan-recruit@oca.msf.org or submit to the following address MSF Holland, Coordination office T. Zehni Street, House 4B,  1st Passage, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Deadline for applications is 28th of February 2025, till 17:00.

No monetary, goods or service offers, nor favoritism, is tolerated in a recruitment process.  Any illicit solicitations for such favour should be reported to the MSF Human Resource Department. MSF reserves the right to refuse any candidate having benefited from such acts and will stop collaboration with any workers involved in such acts.

Kindly note that only short listed candidates will be invited for an interview. MSF does not enter into correspondence with regard to the reasons for non-selection of candidates.