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.

Hours: 40 hours, full time

Location: London

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £37,333.61 per annum (non-London weighting £33,833.61)

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

The department’s purpose is to raise the profile of the organisation and its causes amongst British and international audiences to support MSF’s operational, advocacy, recruitment and fundraising activities.

The press officer sits within MSF UK’s media team, and reports to the media manager. The media team is one of four within MSF UK’s Communications department – along with the digital, editorial/AV, and public engagement teams. The press officer will work very closely with all members of the comms team, particularly the other press officers and media manager. The team share duties and press management, including an out-of-hours on-call rota, and often cover for each other during holidays or when one member of the team is travelling as well as provide remote support to field teams in times of high-pressure.

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 raise awareness of the work and priorities of MSF with core target audiences via coverage in UK and international radio, print, TV and online media.

• Reports to the Media Manager, and works closely with: all members of the Communications team; other departments in the UK office such as fundraising, HR, programmes and the Manson Unit; and the wider MSF movement

• Implements, in collaboration with the Media Manager and other members of the UK press team, a media plan to maximise positive coverage of MSF’s work and values, and related humanitarian and medical issues.

• Maintains and develops UK press office systems and structures.

• Alternates supervision of communications assistant with the other press officer.

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

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in press office work or international journalism, including substantial understanding of, and contacts in, UK media.
• Experience in pitching stories and features to print, radio, TV and online.
• Good knowledge of world affairs and a demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills; ability to adapt style to suit a wide range of audiences; accessible, friendly telephone manner.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• 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 humor and make sound ethical and personal judgements in order to deal with ambiguities and conflict.
• Project management skills.

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: 21 June 2021, 11.59pm (BST)
• Interviews: w/c 5 July 2021