As an international medical humanitarian organization Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) strives to provide free medical assistance to vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts, disease outbreaks and suffering from a lack of access to health care. MSF offers neutral and impartial assistance regardless of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation. MSF is an independent and non-profit organization founded in 1971. Today, it is a worldwide movement working in 70 countries around the world.
Present since 2011 in Libya, MSF has been working in the Tripoli detention centers since 2016, providing primary healthcare, mental health support, and water and sanitation services. We are the only organization providing emergency referrals to hospitals for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers inside the detention centers. We also work in detention centers in Khoms, Zliten and Misrata and provide medical consultations in Bani Walid.
Main objective of the position
The FCO participates in the implementation, coordination and supervision of operational communication activities according to MSF standards in the mission. Aiming at building MSF visibility and leverage inside the country, the FCO focuses on online and offline media alert & management and content production & diffusion.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Media management
- The FCO establishes and maintains regular relations with key local media contact, and will maintain up to date the Libya media contact list including foreign correspondents covering Libya from the country or from Tunis, major Libyan media, and AV contacts.
- He/ she will handle local media requests, and organizes events for local media (Press conference, Press briefing…). The FCO may act as a spokesperson for local media, particularly in local languages not spoken by members of the field coordination team.
- Media alert
- The FCO monitors local media and social media and flags significant articles, trends, news or reports of importance for MSF or on the context and advice on appropriate action when needed to respond / correct misrepresentations
- He/she produces strategic reports on the local media landscape (key media, audience numbers, political affiliation, ownership, freedom of speech, use of social media) and regularly reports on new developments. He/she provides guidance on how to deal with local media or social media at time of crisis.
- Content production
- The FCO supervises the production of local communication tools and products (leaflets, brochures, posters, radio spots, articles, photos, videos) according to local strategy and budget.
- The FCO proposes stories and digitally-contents production that could increase visibility and knowledge of MSF’s work and/or help mobilize allies for Libyan audience, using in particular existing MSF social media accounts in Arabic.
- Under the guidance of the Communication Advisor and operations, the FCO supports initiatives targeting broader international audiences. He/she will travel to MSF project locations and collect and/or gather information and materials (testimonies, video footage, pictures…) for public communication purposes.
- Content diffusion
- The FCO actively diffuses MSF content in the country in local languages and among local media. If judged applicable, he/ she uses social media (twitter, blogs, Facebook….) to promote this content.
- If judged applicable, the FCO proposes and shapes MSF’s proactive social media strategy, in line with the overall country comms strategy, works to grow and manage the digital community and local audience
- Reporting and additional tasks
- The FCO produces regular reports on achieved results and future priorities
- Upon request, the FCO can help in promoting MSF external communications principles towards the national staff and providing comms-related training for other staff.