Media Officer (Temporary)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) - United States•New York, NY

1d•$78,399 - $117,599

About The Position

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.

Requirements

Min. 3-5 years media or public relations experience, preferably with a nonprofit organization or creative agency, plus a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Professional knowledge and understanding of media and social media landscape, combined with solid news judgment.
Familiarity with relationship management with journalists, artists and their representation, and content creators.
Experience working with multiple teams across different organizational departments.
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 and external audiences.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Implement communications plans to secure high-impact US media and social media attention to MSF’s medical humanitarian activities, expertise, and concerns.
Conduct proactive and reactive media work and collaborate with colleagues across the organization and the international communications networks to support media strategy and objectives.
Focus on visibility and engagement opportunities for MSF thought leaders, partners, and high-profile supporters.
Lead the celebrity and influencer strategy for the communications team, working cross functionally with the community fundraising team and major gifts team to pilot innovative projects involving talent and high-profile donors to expand the organization’s reach.
Develop and distribute external communications products across multiple channels to raise awareness of humanitarian needs, advocate for patients and communities, engage with audiences, and achieve strategic objectives.
Identify significant medical humanitarian issues and execute integrated communications plans to increase public awareness, audience engagement, and support for advocacy priorities.
Develop and contribute to brand strategy, positioning, and tactics to increase brand visibility.
Produce and support external communications content across audiences and channels, including for the website, social media, and live events.
Promote DEI principles across all communications products and channels.
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.
Execute media plans for specific issues, contexts, or events to keep a US audience informed about MSF’s work.
Write, edit, and distribute press releases, campaign briefs, talking points, and other communications materials to support media relations and digital campaign plans within established systems and procedures.
Identify and engage with social creators to build new relationships in support of MSF’s work; encourage engagement on social channels to reach new audiences and broaden awareness.
Build and maintain relationships with artist agencies and representation for high profile MSF supporters.
Manage and execute partner relations on campaign projects, leading communications with talent, their representation, and other MSF teams involved.
Work with MSF major gift officers to support partner communications and donor announcements.
Work with external vendors on broader talent engagement program (celebrity and influencer strategy) in partnership with Community Fundraising and Major Donors teams that sit within MSF Development.
Execute media plans and tactics to increase brand visibility.
Support monitoring and evaluation of media coverage and make recommendations based on data.
Conduct or support spokesperson briefing and training for specific media interviews and general capacity building to strengthen communications impact.
May supervise the media support work of office volunteers, interns, and/or work-study students for specific clerical, administrative, or research projects, as required.