MSF Spain and Communications Officer for Somalia Job

The international humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) is seeking for its Regional Information Office a: Media and Communications Officer for Somalia – Based in Nairobi, Kenya

The Media and Communications Officers supports the work of the Regional Information Office in building and maintaining strong relationships with regional media in order to raise awareness of MSF’s work in East Africa and ensure that any messages MSF wants to convey are accurately reported on.

The Media and Communications Officer will also assist with the production of both internal and external communication materials.

The position is a national staff position and reports directly to the Regional Information Officer (RIO).

Responsibilities

• Media Relations: works with the RIO to help build and maintain strong relationships with Somali and other important regional media, provides advice and support to colleagues, proposes activities and events and supports RIO in organization of press conferences/functions.
• Media Monitoring and Mapping: Monitors Somali and regional media with an eye to humanitarian stories and issues effecting NGOs. Together with RIO highlights important issues or trends and advises on appropriate action.
• Content Production: Together with the RIO and other MSF offices, works on the development and content of both internal and external communication materials.
• Information Management: Ensures the dissemination and archiving of communications materials, keeps contact lists up to date.
• Website Management: In conjunction with operational centres and Regional Information Officer helps oversee the Somali language website, including inputting content and managing the adwords campaign.

Requirements

• A university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences or other related field.
• A minimum of two year’s professional experience working in a top level media environment or as senior press/media relations officer for an international NGO.
• Excellent communication (spoken, written and presentational) skills in English and Somali. Other languages (French, Arabic) desirable
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Somali and regional media. Proven ability to cultivate contacts and establish a good network
• An excellent understanding of humanitarian and health issues in the East and Horn of Africa.
• Knowledge and hands on experience producing written work for a variety of audiences. Experience in new media i.e. video production an asset.
• IT and multimedia skills- word, outlook and excel essential. Experience with Google adwords and online marketing an asset.
• The ability to identify communication needs and advise colleagues on communications strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Excellent organizational, representation and negotiation skills, diplomacy and patience
• Availability to travel, including to insecure areas, and be on calls 24hrs.

Please send your application letter, CV of no more than 4 pages, and two samples of written work that you have produced via email to the MSF Office in Nairobi addressed to the:

Regional Information Office,
MSF Spain - Kenya
msf-press-nairobi@msf.org

Personas canvassing will be disqualified.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted

Deadline for all applications: Wednesday 23rd February 2011