Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.

PROGRAMME Communication Manager (m/f/d) – Mozambique – MSFEnglish & Portuguese speaking

MSF has been working in Mozambique since 1984. For over 40 years, our teams have responded to medical and humanitarian emergencies countrywide, including HIV, TB (Tuberculosis), malnutrition, malaria, cholera, natural disasters, COVID-19, as well as people displaced from their homes due to conflicts. In Cabo Delgado province, we respond to emergencies and help to fill gaps in healthcare, often working alongside health authorities and other partners. As Programme Communication Manager (CM) you define, implement, coordinate and supervise all operational communication activities following MSF standards, with focus on the operations in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. You are based in Pemba, and cover MSF projects in Cabo Delgado and emergencies in northern Mozambique as well as in other parts of the country, in liaison with the Country Representative in Maputo, the Country Coordinator in Pemba, Communications Advisors (CAs) at regional and Head Quarter (HQ) level and the Programme Communications Officer (CO) in Pemba. You also support and coordinate punctual activities and meetings in Maputo on a need basis. Your objective is to increase the visibility of the organization, improving awareness of its principles and work, while reinforcing information on MSF activities among communities and to support operational priorities as well as objectives.

MAIN PURPOSE

MSF uses public communications to support its medical humanitarian action, to bear witness on the crises it works in, to make its work known to the public, and to secure and sustain public support for its social mission, including through fundraising and recruitment efforts. The purpose of the Programme Communication Manager (CM) is to define, oversee and implement communications strategies in direct support of MSF's medical humanitarian programmes and social mission.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategies for operational communications and bearing witness:

Defines and manages communications strategies in the country, under the supervision of the Country Representative (1st line) and the Country Coordinator (final decision maker at Country level) in collaboration with the Communications Advisor (CA), staying responsive to operational needs, emergencies, and crisis situations, with effective prioritization.
Alerts on unfolding situations in MSF project areas that may require public communication by MSF.
Seeks opportunities to highlight underreported crises or issues.
Identifies significant issues across MSF operations relevant to communications and advises on messaging and public positioning, collaborating/coordinating with humanitarian affairs managers as needed.
Develops and/or updates a Country Communications Framework (CCF) which provides an overview of context, workflows and operational communications priorities in the country in collaboration with Communications Advisors (CAs) or the Programme Communications Coordinator.
Develops guidelines in country for crisis communications management.
In emergencies, ensures timely delivery of guidance and content for MSF colleagues and media, the MSF communications network and for public release, as outlined in the MSF Emergency Communications Framework, in line with the Emergency Fundraising Policy as needed.

Dissemination and engagement strategies:

Drives and oversees national and international media management in the country, including national and international media, traditional media outlets and their online versions, digital channels, influencers, and citizen media. May delegate/share responsibilities with other communications staff in the country.
Collaborates with MSF digital teams (in country, in the region or other) for strategic dissemination and engagement on MSF social media channels.
Identifies media and/or communication training needs for staff and organizes communications sessions as needed.
Acts as a spokesperson for MSF when required.

Content production:

Decides on communication tools based on agreed objectives, messages, and target audiences.
Transforms operational or medical information into appropriate content relevant to the humanitarian/health situation.
Collects material and produces or seeks support to produce timely content (AV, flash quotes, press releases, social media posts, or other relevant types of content) in accordance with the strategy and budget and in response to rapidly evolving situations.
Contributes to content production at headquarter level by providing material (such as information, testimonies, pictures, videos, etc.) to the Communications Advisor (CA) or other communications staff.
Follows MSF communications ethical guidelines in all materials directly collected and produced, such as informed consent, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) guidelines, and other relevant communications standards or guidelines.
Maintains a record of communications production in the country to enhance institutional memory.

Digital and media monitoring:

Uses appropriate monitoring tools in collaboration with the Programme Communications Officer to build, update and strengthen understanding of the media landscape, audiences and public narratives of relevance to track MSF coverage and identify misinformation or reputational issues.
Ensures that problematic mentions of MSF are promptly reported to operations and/or communications, advises how to address them, and supervises or leads the response.

Internal stakeholder engagement and reporting:

The CM is the primary focal point for MSF staff in the country on public communications. The CM engages with Country, Project, Medical Coordinators, Advocacy/Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant operational colleagues, to understand needs, advise on strategy and public messaging, and coordinate requests for communication support.
Develops regular reporting mechanisms on planned activities and results.
In case of other communications teams in the same country, communications staff are responsible for informing one another of activities and coordinating the use of common tools, such as digital channels and managing press relations.

Global MSF communications network:

Provides the MSF communications network with updates and guidance on operational and humanitarian situations, advising on communications opportunities and messaging.
Responds to MSF communications network requests by providing content for international use, facilitating media visits, or contributing to specific campaigns or fundraising efforts, when possible and agreed upon.

Team management and budget:

The CM manages, supports and supervises staff under their direct responsibility.
The CM produces an annual communications budget for approval to the Country Representative (1st line), the Country Coordinator (final decision maker) and communications department at HQ.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

University degree in a relevant field, such as journalism, communication Development, Political science or International Relations.
Previous working experience of at least 4 years in communication, journalism or public relations.
Experience in MSF or other International NGOs working in humanitarian contexts.
Desirable: Team management experience.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese and English is mandatory.

Competencies

Strong organizational and public communications skills, with exposure to crisis communications.
Contributes to maintaining a positive environment and team spirit within the organization.
Commitment to MSF principles.
Strong analytical abilities with a track record in media management, social media/community engagement and disinformation.
Proven strong understanding of media operations and strategy implementations, applied to the context.
Capable of managing and delivering multiple projects simultaneously maintaining high standards under pressure.
Willingness and ability to travel to MSF areas of operations with very short notice, and proactivity in seeking opportunities for communications/media visits.
Analytical thinking and strategic vision (definition & linking of objectives, audiences, channels & formats).
Experience in media management including monitoring trends and narratives, landscape mapping and analysis, and media engagement (pitching, dissemination, organization of press events/briefings).
Willingness and ability to be a spokesperson and train other spokespersons.
Ability to identify strong storylines to tell and turn them into communication products.

CONDITIONS

Expected starting date: 15 October 2026
Location: Pemba (Cabo Delgado Province – Mozambique)
Mobility of approximately 40%
Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full time
Contract duration: 12 months
Salary according to MSF mobile salary grid. The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the contractual MSF entity based on the candidate’s residence and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grids.
No family position
Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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