Job Information
Doctors Without Borders Interim Press Officer in New York City, New York
Interim Press Officer
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Date: Apr 30, 2024
Location: New York City, NY, US, 10006
Organization: Doctors Without Borders | Médecins Sans Frontières
About MSF-USA | Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization providing medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in over 70 countries. We were formed in France in 1971 as an association by a group of doctors and journalists to go to emergency situations and to treat patients with dignity while bearing witness independently of geopolitical boundaries. MSF is now a global movement of more than 25 MSF organizations, working in over 70 countries. We cooperate as an international, independent, medical humanitarian association that offers medical assistance to populations in distress, victims of natural or manmade disasters, and civilian victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, age, gender/sex, national or ethnic origin, color, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or political affiliation and provides assistance to the population in distress and intervenes worldwide. MSF staff also “bear witness” by speaking out about our work and what is experienced on the ground, not only to draw the world’s attention to crises, but to stand in solidarity with our patients and colleagues who are experiencing these emergencies firsthand.
We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.
Role Overview
This opening is for Leave coverage from mid-June to January 2025. Reporting to the Media Relations Director , the Interim Press Officer implements communications plans to secure high-impact US media attention to MSF’s medical humanitarian activities, expertise, and concerns; conducts proactive and reactive media work; and collaborates with colleagues across the organization and the international communications network to support media strategy and objectives.
Department Accountabilities
External Communications
Develop and distribute external communications products across multiple channels to bear witness to humanitarian needs, speak out with patients and communities, engage with audiences, and achieve strategic objectives.
Public Engagement & Advocacy
Identify significant medical humanitarian issues and execute integrated communications plans to increase public awareness, audience engagement, and support for advocacy priorities.
Brand Positioning
Develop and contribute toward brand strategy, brand positioning, and tactics to increase brand visibility.
Content Creation
Produce creative content for external communications across audiences and channels, including for the website, social media, and live events.
Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Promote DEI principles across communication products and channels.
Role s Specific Outcomes
Media Relations Planning
Develop tactical media relations plans, build media lists, identify and develop story ideas to pitch to journalists working with US-based media to increase visibility of MSF’s programs, advocacy initiatives, and expertise .
Media Relations Outreach
Execute media plans for specific issues, contexts, or events to keep the public informed about MSF’s work .
External Communications
Write, edit, and distribute press releases and other communications materials to support media relations plans within established systems and procedures.
Brand Positioning
Execute media plans and tactics to increase brand visibility.
Media Monitoring & Analysis
Support monitoring and evaluation of media coverage and make recommendations based on data.
Media Training
Conduct or support spokesperson briefing and training for specific media interviews and general capacity building to strengthen communications impact.
These core accountabilities should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other functions as assigned.
Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills
Works independently with minimal supervision and provides technical guidance when required on planning, organizing, prioritizing, and overseeing activities to efficiently meet MSF objectives.
Behavioral Competencies
THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different.
People Focus
Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.
Manages Complexity
Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.
Global Perspective
Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.
Cultivates Innovation
Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.
RESULTS: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs.
Drives Results
Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way.
PEOPLE: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals.
Collaborates
Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.
Values Differences
Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.
Communicates Effectively
Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.
SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.
Instills Trust
Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.
Manages Ambiguity
Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.
Situational Adaptability
Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.
Technical Competencies
Plans and Aligns
Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals.
Financial Acumen
Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
Tech Savvy
Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.
Data Collection and Analysis
The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.
Project Management Skills
The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters.
Presentation and Written Communication Skills
Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.
Supervisory Responsibility
May supervise the media support work of office volunteers, interns, and/or work-study students for specific clerical, administrative, or research projects, as required. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Desired Qualifications & Experience
At a minimum the Job Holder should possess:
Min. 3-5 years media relations experience, preferably with a nonprofit organization, plus a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Professional knowledge and understanding of media landscape, combined with solid news judgment.
Demonstrated track record of generating earned media coverage.
Demonstrated knowledge of media database and media monitoring programs.
Excellent research, writing, and editing skills, and ability to effectively present information to the media.
Travel Requirements
Domestic or international travel as requested to provide emergency or other communications support. This may include local, national, or international media work; content creation, reporting, or advocacy support.
No phone calls or emails, please. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Our staff works a hybrid schedule in the office two days a week and three days remotely. The required days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from January to June and September to December. The summer months of July and August are fully remote. In-office work attendance during July and August is optional.
Your Safety Matters
Vaccination and boosters against COVID-19 are requirements at MSF - USA.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination