Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) Ireland

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS) IRELAND

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Communications Manager

Department: Ireland

Hours: 40 hours per week

Reports to: Director, MSF Ireland

Responsible for: Communications Intern

Works closely with: Fundraising Manager - MSF Ireland, Head of Communications - MSF UK, UK Communications department

Location: Dublin

Duration: Permanent

Salary: €48,319

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is a leading international independent humanitarian aid organisation dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 65 countries worldwide, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make basic healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities.

MSF's aim is to provide impartial assistance on the basis of need alone, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, creed or political affiliation. To maintain its independence from political interference, MSF relies on donations from individuals around the world for over 85% of its income. Unrestricted private funding allows MSF to respond swiftly during an emergency, treating those most in need quickly, whilst also adhering to our principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence.

Background

MSF exists to save lives, alleviate suffering and protect human dignity among populations in crisis throughout the world. MSF Ireland aims to contribute directly to that mission, by effectively and efficiently contributing to the resource requirements, financial, human and programmatic of the MSF movement.

MSF Ireland is an entity which is merged strategically, sectionally and associatively with MSF-UK. In the next five years, MSF will continue to build upon its presence in Ireland to become a widely recognised, accepted and respected humanitarian organisation among Irish audiences, and within the Irish humanitarian and political sector. This will enable the Irish office to continue contributing operationally to the MSF movement through the following:

·  Raising vital funds amongst Irish audiences to support MSF operations

·  Providing institutional financial support to MSF operations

·  Representing MSF to key stakeholders and decision makers in the Irish humanitarian and political sector

·  Supporting operational human resource needs through the recruitment of Irish expats

All of these activities will exploit existing synergies arising from the closeness of the UK and Ireland.

COMMUNICATIONS

The purpose of Communications within MSF Ireland is to raise the profile of the organisation and its causes amongst Irish audiences via increasingly diverse media and platforms to support MSF’s fundraising, advocacy and recruitment activities.

The Communications Manager will achieve this through developing and implementing a multi-pronged strategy to increase media coverage of MSF’s work in radio, print, television and digital channels; developing and implementing a public engagement strategy; and ensuring the positioning of MSF in Ireland relates to the international MSF Charter and our medical humanitarian work in our countries of operation. They will also advise and directly support the Fundraising Manager, fundraising team and other departments. Communications staff are highly valued within the organisation and are expected to contribute actively to strategic and communication decisions.

The Dublin office is currently staffed with 6 full-time posts, with support from office volunteers and interns. The Communications Manager will have the support of the Digital Fundraising and Marketing Co-ordinator (30%), Administrator (30%) and a Communications Intern, and will work in a highly collaborative and integrated manner with the Fundraising Manager, fundraising team and Director. The Communications Manager is also a member of the Communications Team of MSF UK.

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to lead, develop and manage MSF Ireland’s strategy in order to communicate MSF’s activities and concerns to Irish audiences. This includes:

·  Fulfilling and supporting MSF’s mandate to raise awareness about the plight of suffering populations in the countries where we work

·  Raising awareness of MSF’s work and mandate in order to shape public opinion in Ireland particularly amongst target groups including donors, the medical community, potential volunteers and other stakeholders

·  In close collaboration with MSF UK and international colleagues ensure optimal communications standards including the formulation of cohesive messages and strategies and the management of communications resources.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Deliver outcomes: including Decisions

·  Lead, develop and implement MSF Ireland’s communication strategy, including brand strategy, to achieve demonstrable increase in positive public awareness of MSF amongst Irish audiences year on year

·  Drive and lead the public communications around campaigns including advocacy campaigns, in print and broadcast media, online and PR events

·  Manage the crisis communications policy and oversee its implementation if necessary

Planning and Organising

·  Write, implement, monitor and evaluate MSF Ireland’s Annual Communication plans. Ensure objectives are fully integrated with the overall strategy for MSF in Ireland, and compliment fundraising, recruitment and advocacy initiatives. Report monthly on Communications targets, outputs and results

·  Manage all Communications systems and structures, including media monitoring, media database, mailing lists, mapping etc.

·  Develop a media relations plan to maximise positive coverage of MSF’s work and values, and related humanitarian and medical issues

·  Respond to all enquiries from Irish media including evenings and weekend cover. Arrange interviews with MSF spokespeople in international offices where required

·  Organise public events to raise awareness of MSF around Ireland, and amongst different target groups and audiences

·  Coordinate and lead the briefing and debriefing of field staff by the communications and fundraising teams to give basic media guidance and maximise the generation of media contact from the field

·  Visit MSF field projects to gather material to support MSF Ireland’s communication strategy and support Irish media visits

Analysis and Initiative:

·  Proactively ensure timely and consistent representation & presence of MSF across Irish media. Stimulate Irish media coverage of the issues of operational importance to MSF, and MSF’s role in high-profile emergencies and crises

·  Foster strong relationships with the media to secure meaningful coverage that creates awareness and impact. Monitor the external communications environment, identify PR opportunities and take a proactive approach to news generation

·  Work with the Director on key advocacy initiatives with the Irish Government and relevant stakeholders

Communicating:

·  Ensure that a positive and consistent message, in line with MSF’s brand strategy and style guidelines, is communicated to all target audiences and stakeholders

·  Develop and write Irish-specific communication content including press releases, opinion pieces, features and articles

·  Shape the content and organisational identity of all MSF Ireland publications including fundraising and recruitment materials

·  Provide editorial advice and support on fundraising materials and key campaign content

·  Support the fundraising team in obtaining high quality field information both from the Irish expats and MSF internationally

·  Attend external conferences, seminars and networking events to pro-actively build up contacts in Irish print, online, and broadcast media in order to secure regular coverage of MSF issues and work and update the contacts database

Develop others:

·  Brief and prepare MSF spokespeople and expatriate staff for Irish media interviews

·  Brief and debrief Irish expats and develop expat-stories for external media

·  Recruit, train and manage communications intern(s)

·  Work with and advise the Fundraising Manager to ensure that fundraising communications consistently and accurately represent MSF’s work and mission

·  Work with Digital Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator to ensure our website, social media and digital voice are in line with our overall communications objectives and consistent with agreed messaging

Resources:

·  Oversee budget planning and control for all Communications expenditure

·  Oversee and project manage outsourced communications projects where appropriate

Other:

·  Provide support to fundraising, HR, and international MSF communications where appropriate

·  Working closely with MSF UK’s Communications team, collaborate and participate in international MSF forums to further MSF’s global communications objectives

·  To maintain commitment to the aims and values of MSF through proactive involvement in and attendance at ongoing MSF Ireland, UK and wider movement operational activities

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge, skills and expertise

Essential:

·  Demonstrable experience in developing and leading successful national communications strategies, including emergency communications

·  Track record of developing successful public awareness strategies

·  Hands-on experience of press office work or international journalism, including substantial understanding of, and contacts in, Irish media

·  Proven ability to communicate complex political and technical information in accessible, simple language (both verbal and written) to a variety of audiences

·  Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop good working relationships in virtual teams and cross-cultural teams

·  Understanding of online media tools

·  Good knowledge of world affairs and a demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues

·  Articulate verbal and written communications skills; ability to adapt style to suit a wide range of audiences; accessible, friendly telephone manner

·  Strong organisational skills with experience of managing multiple tasks

·  Ability to work independently to general guidelines; capacity to take initiative and seize opportunities

·  Fluent spoken and written English

·  Willingness and availability to frequently travel to UK and other European locations

·  Willingness and availability to travel to and work in programme locations internationally, often at short notice

·  Willingness to work evenings and weekends, as required

·  Computer literate (Word for Windows, Access, Excel etc..)

·  Flexible, can-do attitude and good team player – this role involves working very closely and collaboratively with colleagues in the UK and overseas

·  Ability to cope with stress, retain good humour and make sound ethical and personal judgements in order to deal with ambiguities and conflict

Desirable

·  Previous work experience with MSF or a similar medical or humanitarian organisation

·  Knowledge of other languages, particularly French

·  Previous work experience in developing countries

Last updated: January 2015

Candidates must hold an appropriate passport or permit to work in Ireland

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a full-time, permanent position, and the requirement is to work 40 hours a week.

Current Benefits at MSF UK and Ireland:

SALARIES

MSF UK & Ireland pays the salaries into the bank account on the 30th of each month.

FLEXITIME SCHEME

MSF UK & Ireland operates flexi time. The daily requirement for full time staff is to work 8 hours plus half an hour for lunch with core hours between 9.30am-5.00pm and flexi time periods between 8.30am – 9.30am and 5.00pm-6.00pm.

ANNUAL LEAVE

The MSF UK & Ireland holiday (annual leave) year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Annual entitlement for full-time staff is 28 days per year in addition to Irish bank holidays (pro rata for part-time)

SICK LEAVE

On completion of the probationary period, employees of MSF UK & Ireland receive additional benefits though our Group Income Protection Scheme and Group Life Scheme.

PENSION PLAN

After three months’ continuous employment, you will be enrolled into MSF UK’s Group Personal Pension Scheme. MSF UK will make an employer contribution equivalent to 10 percent of your gross salary; you will also be able to make additional employee contributions..

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

MSF UK & Ireland has an annual performance review process in place during which individual development needs are discussed and training needs identified.

HOW TO APPLY – THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Timetable:

·  Closing date for applications: 18th February 2015

·  Interviews: 23rd – 27th February 2015

·  Start date: April 2015

To Apply

If you are interested in this position please send your CV and a letter of motivation explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification to:

Natalya De Lance-Holmes Human Resources Manager

E-mail:

Enquiries about the position to:

Jane-Ann McKenna, Director, Médecins Sans Frontières Ireland, Ph: +3531 6603337

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