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
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.
Roles 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.
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