Open only to candidates with MSF experience

Background

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. Operating in over 71 countries, 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 Netherlands in Italy coordinates the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance operating with own ship.

Scope and objectives of the position

The FCC provides main operational communications support to the High Seas mission. S/he acts as a focal point for the MSF movement on matters concerning central Mediterranean, streamlining the high level of media requests and ensuring coherence in public positioning.

Accountabilities

The FCC is in charge of public positioning and operational communications for activities at sea and on land that make up the SAR mission. In order to do so, s/he is in permanent contact with the Communication Advisor in HQ (functional manager) and with the SAR Rep (line manager). S/he functionally manages Field Communications Manager (FCM) at sea and hierarchically AV-digital Field Communications Manager (AV-digital FCM) and Engagement and Events Officer.

 

  1. Strategize and coordinate MSF communication efforts in central Mediterranean
  • Advise on public positioning in relation to key issues and contextual developments in the central Mediterranean.
  • Produce and implement Comms strategy for the country of operations.
  • Maintain an “early warning system” for pertinent regional issues and thematic developments that could impact the mission. Provide daily media monitoring and monitor major media trends for search and rescue, in collaboration with the digital/AV FCM. Provide this analysis to SAR Rep and field teams.
  • Lead the FCM at sea to provide support and enhance coherence and output of MSF communications on search and rescue and migration.
  • Responsible for allocating and briefing journalists in advance of being embedded on the MSF vessel at sea during MSF media rotations.
  • Together with the FCM, provides media training to field staff and spokespeople, if required.

 

  1. Content Production
  • Co-responsible for OCA input into @MSF_Sea Twitter account, support the digital FCM to ensure the appropriate and timely use of social media to promote MSF (OCA operational) content.
  • Leads, and eventually designs, all communication projects and liaise with external providers/producers, journalists etc.
  • Be focal point to MSF network able to provide updated information and data related to MSF operations and presence in the central Mediterranean.

 

  1. Management and Reporting
  • The FCC produces a quarterly activity report and inputs into the monthly mission sitrep. The FCC is part of coordination SAR team at field level and attends weekly meetings with SAR Rep.
  • The FCC must have managerial, mentoring and leadership skills.

 

Requirements 

Education
  • Degree in Journalism, Communications, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or related university degree.

Experience

 

Essential:

  • Previous working experience of at least -5 years in communications, journalism or public relations.
  • Previous working experience in media management, coordinating communication strategies notably at time of emergencies/crisis and content production
  • Experience with MSF comms roles  
  • Excellent management and communication skills, outgoing personality, good representation.

Desirable:

  • Social media skills
  • Previous experience in overseas work

Languages
  • Essential: English
  • Highly desirable:  Italian
  • Desirable: Arabic/ French/ Spanish

 

Knowledge
  • Knowledge of dynamic political context on central Mediterranean including political developments in Libya and the wider region, search and rescue in the Mediterranean, and the situation in Europe (and particularly Italy) relating to migration.
  • Solid knowledge of MSF principles and mandate.

 

Competencies
  • Strategic and creative thinker
  • Team player
  • Highly organized
  • Excellent English writing skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Excellent networking skills
  • Ability to effectively manage FCM at sea who is on frontline of humanitarian crisis and AV-digital FCM on land
  • Professional attitude: quick thinking with a high degree of flexibility

Conditions

Contract: Fixed term contract, Full-time, 12 months.

Level I of Italian CCNL Commercio Terziario Distribuzione e Servizi.

Candidates should hold a work permit to work in Italy.

Gross Annual Salary: euro 40.600 – 43.848 depending on MSF experience of the candidate

Location: based in Roma (Italy)

Starting Date: mid-June 2026

Application procedure: 

To apply for this role, please submit your application to sar-jobs@oca.msf.org 

Subject: FCC_Your Surname

Including the following:

  • CV (in English)
  • motivation letter (in English)
  • Availability
  • 2 contacts for references

The application deadline is 28th MAY 2026 at 20.00 Rome-time

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

MSF-Netherlands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. We expect this same commitment from our staff.