MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES UK



Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.

MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference.

MSF has around 40,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world. Our medical humanitarian projects are supported by teams in 32 countries, including the UK, spread across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

At MSF UK, we support MSF’s operations by building relationships with our supporters, increasing awareness of our work, raising funds, providing specialist medical expertise, catalysing change on medical humanitarian issues, and recruiting field staff. MSF UK personnel are dynamic, hard-working, enthusiastic and committed to MSF’s values and aims.

Job Title: Media Manager (Maternity Cover)

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location: London

Duration: 9 – 12 months fixed term contract

Salary: £49,862.35 per annum (non-London weighting £46,362.35 p.a.)

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

The Communications department’s purpose is to raise the profile of the organisation and its concerns amongst British and international audiences via increasingly diverse media to support MSF’s advocacy, recruitment and fundraising activities.

The media has long been essential to MSF’s advocacy and fundraising, so our policy is one of openness and cooperation with the press. Increasingly we also communicate directly with the public through digital and public engagement activities. New technology involving web, audio-visual and other multimedia are central to our strategic vision. Communications staff are highly valued within the organisation and are expected to contribute actively to strategic and communication decisions.

The UK is a hub for communications internationally and MSF UK is expected to play a significant role in supporting communications ambitions for the whole of MSF.

JOB PURPOSE

To lead the press office team, liaising with other teams within Communications and departments to ensure the media strategy is supportive of other areas of MSF UK’s work including fundraising and advocacy.

To develop and maintain effective and sustainable/workable out-of-hours 24/7 ‘on call’ rota, media monitoring and other press office systems and reporting.

In close collaboration with the Head of Communications, to lead development and implementation of media strategies to raise awareness of the work and concerns of MSF with target national and international audiences.

Please note that whilst this is a management position, hands on press management will be required at times, e.g., when the request is particularly high-profile or sensitive, when press officers are absent or during out-of-hours rotation.

This role is likely to include opportunities for travel and overseas work, often for extended periods and sometimes at very short notice.

FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE ROLE PLEASE SEE BELOW LINK TO FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of devising and delivering communications strategies to advance the aims of an organisation.
• Demonstrable senior experience in press office work, including substantial understanding of, and contacts in, UK media.
• Good knowledge of world affairs and a demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with an accessible, friendly telephone manner and a proven ability to adapt style to suit a wide range of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with experience of managing multiple tasks and ability to prioritise ongoing vs immediate needs appropriately.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Computer literate, including experience with media database.
• Proficient use of social media for professional communications purposes.
• Flexible, can-do attitude and good team player – this role involves working very closely and collaboratively with colleagues in the UK and overseas.
• Ability to cope with stress, retain good humour and make sound ethical and personal judgements in order to deal with ambiguities and conflict. Diplomatic approach.
• Line management experience.

MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation by the closing date.

Recruitment timetable:

• Closing date for applications: 30 June 2021, 11.59pm (BST)
• Interviews: w/c 5 July 2021