Job Description
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization that delivers impartial medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in over 70 countries.
We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s common mission.
Department
The Communications Department is responsible for developing a coherent voice and delivering clear public messages to inform both US and international audiences of MSF, its field activities and the humanitarian principles that underpin them; to raise awareness about the plight of the populations we serve; to promote public communication aimed at exposing and describing the field reality, including dilemmas and challenges; and to garner public understanding for our advocacy messages related to field operational concerns and the Access Campaign, via the media, print and digital channels , public awareness and advocacy campaigns, conferences, etc.
Project
- Purpose of the Job:
Under the direction of the Communications Director, manages the Public and Internal Engagement Unit. The Manager plans, organizes and executes the MSF-USA public engagement projects, initiatives and activities designed to highlight MSF medical humanitarian operations, advocacy efforts, and public positioning, along with the plight of populations in danger.
As a member of the Communications Department Management Team, the Manager proposes, develops, and oversees the execution of strategies to engage the general public, humanitarian, medical, and academic communities, and MSF supporters. He/she/they supports the achievement of MSF-USA’s advocacy, recruitment, and fundraising objectives, and ensures engagement strategies are aligned with and in support of MSF-USA strategic orientations, annual plans and operational goals and priorities.
Tasks
- Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Public Engagement Management (30%)
Creates and implements an annual public engagement strategy and implementation plan aligned with MSF’s medical humanitarian activities and advocacy objectives, and ensures that advocacy, recruitment, and fundraising objectives are supported through public and internal event initiatives.
Develops and maintains an effective cross-departmental outreach strategy for each event organized by the Public and Internal Engagement Team, with the goal of creating and maintaining processes that lead to higher turnout, deeper engagement, improved metrics tracking, and greater public impact. Evaluates and reports on progress toward stated goals and objectives.
Develops and oversees the execution of in-person and online events (eg, live panel discussions, webinars and webcast series).
Oversees MSF-USA’s “Speakers Pool” through trainings and tool development to support fulfillment of public speaking and media requests.
Oversees events coordinated with academic institutions and think tanks.
Manages project teams associated with special events (e.g. MSF organized medical symposia, traveling Forced From Home exhibition, public multimedia exhibits).
The Manager also plans and coordinates MSF-USA internal events activities to foster cross-departmental information sharing and organizational reflection.
Manages MSF-USA’s non-fundraising speakers bureau, in close coordination with the Public Engagement officer and intern, overseeing opportunities and arrangements for staff, aid workers, and other potential MSF speakers, and providing support for public speaking needs.
Ensures timely production of publicity and presentation materials for events, producing a public outreach plan and ensuring its execution by coordinating with marketing, social media, and digital advertising units, in coordination with the Communications and Marketing teams.
Provides Development Department with collaborative support for fundraising events, in particular identifying and recommending speakers for events. Identifies opportunities for fundraising during all aspects of Public Engagement and works on cross-promotion with the Development Department.
Communications Training (20%)
Develops tools and trainings necessary to foster a robust group of MSF-USA spokespersons drawn from Programmatic Staff, Board Members, and Association members to support public engagement, advocacy, fundraising, and field staff recruitment objectives.
Ensures relevant MSF-USA programmatic staff (NY Desk, Medical Unit, Humanitarian Advocacy Officer, Access Campaign Manager), Board Members, Association members, and returned volunteers receive public speaking and media representation training.
Organizes and oversees quarterly communications training seminars for MSF-USA Programmatic Staff, Board Members, and Association Members.
Coordinates with Executive, Communications, Development, Field HR, and Program Departments to identify appropriate speakers for public engagement opportunities (panel discussions, film screenings, webcasts), fundraising needs (e.g. third-party fundraisers, CFC events, employee-giving events), and recruitment events.
In coordination with Communications Director and Media Relations Manager, develops curriculum and training modules for development of public speaking and media representation skills.
Presentation Tools Development (10%)
Working with other Communications Department staff and external consultants, oversees development and maintenance of marketing tools, including films, infographics and presentations, and e-learning tools for use by MSF-USA Staff and Association members.
Internal Communication (30%)
Facilitates internal communication to foster cross-departmental information flow, access to programmatic information, and internal culture of debate and reflection.
Coordinates the cross-departmental Internal Communications Unit (ICU) to identify speakers and topics for brown bag lectures (BBLs), evening debate series and other internal engagement activities.
Works with other ICU members to improve other internal communications platforms like program updates, internal and international meetings, the General Assembly, associative events and meetings, and other activities.
Administrative/Management (10%)
Supervises full-time Public Engagement Officer to assist with event, Speakers Bureau, and other public event activities as required.
Manages unit budget.
Hires, manages and evaluates Public Engagement Officer, office volunteers, work-study students and/or interns for administrative tasks within the Public Engagement area.
Delegates tasks, consults with and guides staff, to achieve goals. Provides ongoing feedback in a context of mutual respect.
Sets clear attainable objectives for staff, evaluates employee job performance accordingly, in accordance with established MSF procedures, and collaborates with staff to establish appropriate development paths.
Attends regularly scheduled departmental meetings to share information, brainstorm solutions, and coordinate priorities.
Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings and several annual office-wide debates to participate in information sharing across all departments, and stays informed on important MSF topics so as to be able to contribute to the organization’s ongoing development.
MSF International Coordination and Representation
Follows the activities of other MSF sections and shares ideas, best practices, materials and/or exhibits.
May attend relevant MSF-wide public engagement meetings.
May be called upon to assist with public events in the field.
- Supervisory Responsibilities:
Manages one full-time Public Engagement Officer and one or more unpaid staff consisting of volunteers, interns and/or Work-Study students. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
IV. Fiscal Responsibility
Manages and administers the approved budgets for Public and Internal Events, and special projects and events as assigned, and continually seeks out cost savings and efficiencies. Identifies and recommends new vendors. Represents MSF with outside vendors, and manages them, including venues and caterers.
- Extent of Public Contact
Regularly represents MSF to public event partners (academics, officials of medical and other professional associations, schools; event venues; conference coordinators) regarding MSF activities and issues. Within MSF USA, interacts with all levels of staff, Board, and returned volunteers to stay abreast of MSF issues and to identify volunteers to participate in the Speakers Bureau.
- Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
To travel to the field (usually in the developing world), the employee must attest to physical fitness to endure physically difficult, high stress situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, carry a backpack or other equipment of up to 50 pounds, to ride long distances over very poor road conditions, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular attendance 5 days/week for a minimum of 35 hours. Must be available to work before 9:00 am, after 5:00 pm or on weekends, as required.
Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to MSF field projects. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions.
Qualifications
Minimum 5-7 years of experience in events planning, including speaker identification, sourcing and preparation, as well as logistics, publicity, and outreach, plus Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated track record of planning and successfully executing web-based events.
Strong computer literacy, including ability to use word-processing, presentation, spreadsheet and database software, and internet research skills.
Strong budget management skills.
Excellent written skills, including ability to draft a range of correspondence, from formal business letters to thank-you notes.
Excellent interpersonal skills and total comfort with performing a critical public-facing role.
Ability to handle a large volume of work under pressure and with deadlines.
Comfort level pivoting at a moment’s notice, especially during emergencies and crises.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Keen attention to detail with ability to track multiple projects at a time.
Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
Excellent judgment and diplomacy.
Ability to effectively present information to donors, and to coach others to do the same.
Knowledge of and passion for international and humanitarian affairs.
Prior MSF experience a plus.
No phone calls or emails please
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
MSF-USA/Doctors Without Borders 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 or any other characteristic protected by law. We are constantly striving to make our organization anti-racist. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. As an employee, you become part of that mission. We expect this same commitment from our staff.
Type
HQ
Pay Class & Contract Type
Regular FT Salaried Exempt
Compensation
Starting salary high 80's to low-mid 90's (commensurate with experience)
Working Time (Hours Per Week)
35