Director of Communications and Fundraising at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Rationale/Objective for Position

The Director of Communications and Fundraising is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team to develop impactful communications and fundraising strategies that support the populations we exist to serve and raise the awareness, trust and influence of MSF.

As well as overseeing home society communications activities, this role includes overseeing and  directly contributing to significant support to the organisation’s social mission by strengthening efforts to communicate and bear witness from MSF’s medical humanitarian programs in Eastern Africa. 

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Leads the development, management and implementation of MSF Eastern Africa´s communication and fundraising strategies, in line with the section’s strategic and annual plans, ensuring solid support is provided to MSF´s global social mission.
• Ensures awareness, engagement and income generation with key target audiences is raised in line with expectations, supporting the growth of MSF’s human, financial and civil base, as well as MSF’s capacity for influence and mobilization.
• Takes overall responsibility for regular reviews and refinements to the department’s strategy, and for defining and reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Home Society Communications

• Has overall responsibility for the section’s branding guidelines and visual identity.
• Provides communications support for brand and reputational management issues and crises, taking the lead on providing guidance on public messaging around sensitive issues to MSF EA, and to the region as needed. 
• Has sign off for all major communications initiatives for the section, and for defining the section´s editorial line on specific topics.
• Anticipates how MSF EA´s public communication, especially on politically sensitive issues, may impact the organisation’s public image.
• Oversees regular reflections on MSF’s public positioning from the region, in collaboration with senior colleagues across the organisation.

Operational support

• Follows regional contexts and provides strategic advice and support for communication matters to the section and to operational and communications staff covering the region as needed.
• Oversees a solid package of support to strengthen the impact and quality of operational communications in Eastern Africa, contributing directly to emergency and crisis response as needed.
• Takes overall responsibility for the coherence and alignment between the communication and fundraising functions and initiatives of MSF EA and those from other MSF communicators in Kenya and East Africa. 
• Oversees the development and implementation of framework agreements to strengthen collaboration processes with internal stakeholders as needed.

Fundraising

• Oversees the work of the fundraising team to ensures engagement and income generation with key target audiences is raised in line with expectations.
• Provides support for external networking for fundraising as needed.

Collaboration and Engagement

• Represents MSF EA on global internal communications and fundraising platforms, actively engaging, and coordinating closely with heads of both specialisms on the African continent.
• Establishes and maintains external relationships with relevant stakeholders, including international and national media, and humanitarian communications and fundraising leaders in Eastern Africa.

Crosscutting Departmental Responsibilities

• Takes the lead in the department’s accountability, overseeing the analysis and reporting of communications and fundraising activities, reporting to the MSF EA General Director, Management Team, and Board and wider movement on a regular basis.
• Takes the lead in major initiatives to track progress, such as perception studies.
• Ensures that all communications and fundraising material reflects and aligns with MSF principles, ethical guidelines, and unique identity, following all appropriate validation procedures.
• Responsible for the development, implementation and control of the department´s budget.
• Oversees relationships with departmental vendors and external service providers as needed, delegating responsibility as required.
• Leads, mentors and coaches staff in the department and region as needed.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates work activities of the staff in the department.

Other Responsibilities

• As part of the MSF EA MT, helps to define the general direction and overall strategy of the section, ensuring that the communications department´s perspective and input are adequately reflected in the discussions and decisions of the MT and of other departments.
• Contributes to and at times takes the lead in additional dossiers and strategic projects as necessary, including to internal communications, and supports the work of other departments.
• When delegated by the General Director, on a case-by-case basis, act as a media spokesperson on international and institutional topics.

Qualifications

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
• A good knowledge of world affairs, with knowledge of the Eastern African context an advantage.
• Knowledge and understanding of the latest trends and developments in communications and media.
• Interest in humanitarian work with direct experience an advantage.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Experience

• At least ten (10) years’ experience in communications and a solid understanding of developments within the communications field, with at least (five) years’ experience in senior leadership.
• Proven experience developing communications strategies and leading a team of communications professionals to implement them.
• Demonstrable experience managing budgets.
• International experience is an added advantage.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and Swahili an 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 organisational skills with experience managing multiple and conflicting priorities. 
• Commitment to MSF's principles.