Field Communications Manager 17 views0 applications

Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctor without Borders (MSF), founded in 1971, is an international humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance to population in danger in more than 60 countries. MSF has been present in Nigeria for 20 years. Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which helps 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.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

MSF HAS A STRATEGY TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION. AS SUCH WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Main Purpose:
MSF uses public communications to support its medical humanitarian action, to bear witness to the crises it witnesses in the areas it works, to make its work known to the public, and to secure and sustain public support for its social mission, including through fundraising and recruitment efforts.

Based in Abuja and part of the operational communications department in Nigeria, the Field Communications Manager (FCM) will support defining, overseeing and implementing communications strategies in direct support of MSF’s medical humanitarian programs and social mission in Nigeria.

The FCM reports to the Field Communications Coordinator, manages the press officer, social media officer and multimedia officer. The FCM also acts as back up for team members.

Job Description
Strategies for operational communications and bearing witness.

• Defines and manages communications strategies in the country, under the supervision of Heads of Mission and in collaboration with Communications Advisors (CAs) or the Field Communications Coordinator (as applicable), staying responsive to operational needs, emergencies, and crisis situations, with effective prioritization.
• Alerts on unfolding situations in MSF project areas that may require public communication by MSF.
• Seeks opportunities to highlight underreported crises.
• Identifies significant issues across MSF operations relevant to communications and advises on messaging and public positioning, collaborating/coordinating with humanitarian affairs managers as needed (as applicable)
• Develops and/or updates a Country Communications Framework (CCF) which provides an overview of all operational communications priorities in the country in collaboration with Communications Advisors (CAs) or the Field Communications Coordinator (as applicable.)
• Develops guidelines in country for crisis communications management.
• In emergencies, ensures timely delivery of guidance and content for journalists, the MSF communications network and for public release, as outlined in the MSF Emergency Communications Framework, in line with the Emergency Fundraising Policy as needed.

Develops, Drives and oversees dissemination and engagement strategies:

• Drives and overseas all media management in the country, including national and international media, traditional media outlets and their online versions, digital channels, influencers, and citizen media. May delegate / share responsibilities with other field communications staff in the country, such as managing media relations, pitching content, coordinating media events or visits to MSF projects, depending on the team’s structure.
• Collaborates with MSF digital teams (in country, in the region or other) for strategic dissemination and engagement on MSF social media channels.
• Identifies media and/or communication training needs for operational staff and organizes the necessary training.
• Acts as a spokesperson for MSF when required.

Content production

• Decides on communication tools based on agreed objectives, messages, and target audiences.
• Transforms operational or medical information into a communications angle relevant to the humanitarian/health situation.
• Guides production, collects material, and produces timely content (AV, flash quotes, press releases, tweets, or other relevant types of content) in accordance with the strategy and budget and in response to rapidly evolving situations of relevance.
• Contributes to content production at headquarter level by supplying material (such as information, testimonies, pictures, videos, etc) to the Communications Advisor (CA) or other communications staff.
• Follows MSF communications ethical guidelines in all materials directly collected and produced, such as on consent, on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and other relevant communications standards or guidelines.
• Maintains a record of communications production in the country to enhance institutional memory.

Digital and media monitoring

• Uses digital and media monitoring to build, update and strengthen understanding of the media landscape, of audiences, of public narratives of relevance, and to track MSF coverage, and identify misinformation or reputational challenges.
• Ensures that problematic mentions of MSF are promptly reported to operations and/or communications as needed, advises how to address them, and supervises or leads the response.

Internal stakeholder engagement and reporting:

• In the absence of a Field Communications Coordinator, FCM is the primary focal point for heads of mission in the country on public communications. The FCM engages with Heads of Mission, field coordinators, medical coordinators, humanitarian affairs, and other relevant operational colleagues, to understand needs, advise on strategy and public messaging, and coordinate requests for communication support.
• Develops regular reporting mechanisms on planned activities and achievements.
• In case of other field communications teams in the same country, field comms staff are responsible for informing one another of activities and coordinating the use of common tools, such as digital channels and managing press relations.

Global MSF communications network:

• Provides the MSF communications network with firsthand updates and guidance on the operational and humanitarian situations, advising on communications opportunities and messaging.
• Responds to the MSF communications network’s requests by providing content for international use, facilitating journalist visits, or contributing to specific campaigns or fundraising efforts, when possible.

Team management and budget

• When applicable, the FCM manages, supports and supervises staff under their direct responsibility.
• When applicable, the FCM produces an annual communications budget for approval to the Head of Mission (s) and communications department at HQ.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Strengthen engagement with national and international media to elevate the visibility of humanitarian and health issues in Nigeria.
• Proactively identify storytelling opportunities and support media outreach that reflects MSF’s operational priorities.
• Support the Digital/social media Officer in expanding the reach and engagement of MSF’s social media platforms.
• Contribute to content direction and audience growth strategies aligned with the mission’s communication objectives.
• In close collaboration with the Field Communications Coordinator (FCC), monitor developments in Nigeria, particularly regarding malnutrition trends and disease outbreaks.
• Provide timely communication alerts on any deterioration in the humanitarian situation to inform advocacy and operational positioning.
• Lead the preparation and rollout of communication strategies related to project openings, closures, and key operational shifts.
• Ensure messaging is coherent, timely, and aligned with MSF’s broader positioning.
• Ensure effective coordination and continuity of the communications team through regular team meetings, implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance and updating of SharePoint and other knowledge management tools
• Support the professional development of Field Communications Officers (FCOs), including training, mentoring, and identifying opportunities for growth (e.g. detachment or expatriation pathways where relevant).
• Contribute to the recruitment of locally hired communications staff.
• Ensure effective onboarding and induction to integrate new team members into MSF’s communication approach and standards.
• Undertake additional tasks as required to support the implementation of the country’s communications strategy and evolving operational needs.

Requirements:

Education

Essential: University degree in a relevant field, such as Journalism, Communication, Development, Political science or International Relations.

Experience

• Essential: Previous working experience of at least 4 years in communication, journalism or public relations,
• Essential: Experience in MSF or other International NGOs working in humanitarian contexts
• Desirable: Experience in team management

Language

• Essential: Proficiency minimum C1 in English – Desirable: fluency in Hausa

Knowledge and Skills

Essential computer literacy (MS Office and internet)

Desirable: Photography and video production skills, and skills in the Adobe Creative Suite

Competencies

• Ability to design and align communication strategies, linking objectives, audiences, channels, and formats.
• Experience in media management including landscape mapping, pitching, press briefings, and spokesperson engagement.
• Proven expertise in handling high-pressure communication contexts, including crisis response and sensitive public positioning is desirable.
• Ability to analyze complex humanitarian contexts (e.g. malnutrition, disease outbreaks) and translate insights into actionable communication.
• Skilled at identifying compelling narratives and transforming them into impactful communication products across platforms.
• Desirable: Experience in social media management, including driving audience growth, engagement, and managing risks such as misinformation and disinformation.
• Ability to lead by example, foster team cohesion, and support staff development through mentoring and structured guidance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards under pressure.
• Ability to effectively represent MSF, optimize external relations, and act as or support spokespersons.
• Willingness and ability to travel to MSF field locations sometimes under very short notice

Contract
208 working hours per month

Remuneration
As per MSF salary scale (National contract)

How to apply

Fill out the link below and attach the documents requested.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrL0cZUgk2lk-3tdwKWohRVWQTnm7R94Hi7eqfbHL0jYbCMA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Deadline for applications: 16 June 2026 at 5:00 PM

MSF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination.