Head of Communications – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Introduction

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

About MSF Eastern Africa

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.

Rationale/Objective for Position

The Head of Communications is responsible for leading and overseeing the work of the media, digital, production and public events functions to increase the awareness and understanding of MSF in Kenya and Eastern Africa, as well as support for the humanitarian issues we respond to, bringing the team together to maximize synergies, align efforts and achieve excellence.

As well as supporting home society communications, the post holder is responsible for overseeing the services the department provides as support to MSF´s operational and communications colleagues in the region and developing that support according to the demands of the region.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Working in close collaboration with the department director to define the home society communications strategy for MSF in Kenya and the wider region as needed, according to the section´s overall strategy.
• Ensuring alignment and synergies across the media, digital, productions and events functions to create shared strategies.
• Providing strategic direction to the support provided to the social mission by the communications team.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

• Home Society Communications 
• • Manages the Media Manager, Digital Manager, Multimedia Producer and Engagement Officer (50%) overseeing their work to increase the awareness, engagement, trust and influence of MSF in Kenya and across Eastern Africa as needed.
  • Oversees the work of the team on emergencies and campaigns, ensuring alignment, constant innovation and a 360 approach to maximize impact, working in close collaboration with the Head of Fundraising.
  • Responsible for overseeing and refining workflow processes and reporting on emergencies and campaigns, and for activating the emergency communications plan.
  • Ensures all communications aligns with the visual identity and branding guidelines for MSF Eastern Africa, as defined by the department’s director.
• Operational support
• • Oversees the support provided to operational communications in the region by the team and closely follows regional humanitarian crises.
  • Develops strong links and maintains ongoing dialogue with communications staff in the region, including hosting regular calls, to ensure the support provided is timely, responsive, effective, anticipates additional needs and meets expectations – supporting MSF’s social mission.
  • Develops frameworks and MOUs for our collaboration with communications colleagues, such as the Kenya Field Comms Manager, as needed, under the guidance of the department director.
  • Links with the Field Communications Training Officer on opportunities and support for training.

Other Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates work activities of the communications team.
• Mentors and provides coaching to staff in the communications team.
• Regularly deputizes for the Director of Communications and Fundraising when needed.
• Oversees the budget allocated to the media, digital, events and production specialisms.
• Completes quarterly reports and refines team activity as needed.
• Provides regular feedback to the MSF network on communications initiatives and potential strategies.
• Works in close collaboration with the Head of Fundraising, and with the network of communications staff covering Eastern Africa.

Qualifications

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized institution – a relevant masters is an advantage.
• Solid understanding of developments within the communications field, with experience in the regional communications and media context an advantage.
• Good knowledge of world affairs, with knowledge of the Eastern African region an advantage.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of experience in communications management, with strong knowledge of media and digital communications tools.
• Proven experience developing communications strategies and leading a team to implement them.
• Project management experience.
• Experience managing budgets.

Competencies

• Technical Competencies
• • Excellent writing and editing skills in English, Swahili and advantage.
  • Proven leadership skills and management skills including the ability to empower, inspire and develop staff.
  • Ability to communicate and problem-solve effectively across diverse cultures with sensitivity.
  • Strong technical skills and knowledge of IT management.
• Behavioral/General Competencies
• • Proven leadership skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate.
  • Strong organizational skills with experience managing multiple and conflicting priorities.
  • Commitment to MSF’s principles.