Job Description

About MSF Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation committed to two objectives: providing medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion, and natural and man-made disasters, and speaking out about the plight of the populations assisted. MSF assists people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation. Today, MSF is present in more than 70 countries, where thousands of MSF doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, and other medical and non-medical professionals work together to bring essential health services to people caught in humanitarian crises.
Positionxe2x80x99s Role Purpose MSF Southern Africaxe2x80x99s Communication Department is mandated to raise awareness and understanding about medical humanitarian issues and the organisationxe2x80x99s values and work among the South African society in support of mobilising influence and resources (advocacy, fundraising and recruitment). The Department pursues this objective through awareness-raising actions, traditional news media liaison, online social media network engagement and communication projects. The position is located in the Communication Department. Outreach Team and is responsible for developing and executing a range of news and niche media related actions focused on raising awareness and understanding of MSF and its work through high quality, regular media coverage, predominantly in South Africa. This specialist position develops and strengthens relationships and engagements with journalists/producers and media personalities/practitioners to proactively support MSF Southern Africaxe2x80x99s communication and advocacy objectives. In addition, the position supports the objectives of recruiting medical and other professionals for MSF Southern Africaxe2x80x99s HR pool through communications and marketing strategies and actions.
SCOPE/DOMAIN The Communication Specialist (Media Liaison & Special Projects) collaborates with the Communication Specialist (Media Liaison), develops, and executes a range of news media related actions that support MSFxe2x80x99s social mission and MSF SA positioning to achieve high quality, regular coverage in South African and international news media. The media liaison positions develop and implement an annual strategy, and they are supervised by the Head of Media and Digital Relations, whom along with the Director of Communication, validates the strategy.
The specific domain of individual practice will cover:

• Delivers on KPIs within this frame, and autonomously engages media and press officers/coordinators in West Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, Geneva, New York among other.
  
• Thematic issues related to MSFxe2x80x99s work on ensuring access to products for health (APH), including intellectual property law reform, drug research and development and the advocacy work associated with this.
• Innovating creative & integrated approaches to meet the needs of Field HR teamxe2x80x99s recruitment activitiesn through media pitches, digital marketing approaches and public engagements.

• Operational Comms support xe2x80x93 dissemination of communication packages through support in developing outreach strategy or tactics, as well as monitoring.
  
• Provides advice and support to the ASSOCIATION department on outreach, upon request once validated by the Head of Media and Digital Relations.
• Defines the short-term, proactive media schedule as part of the news media team on a bi-weekly basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES: MEDIA LIAISON

• Actively maintains and builds new relationships/networks with leading journalists, producers, and editors (focusing on health, Africa, international affairs ) to generate quality coverage opportunities.
• Implementing a content selection and adaptation tactics aligned to MSF Southern Africaxe2x80x99s Positioning Framework and Ops Communication objectives/needs.
• Relays agreed MSF press releases and other material, including briefings, multimedia content to international and national media located in South This includes pitching and arranging interviews with MSF spokespeople based on these materials and messages.
• Source high level insights from journalists, producers, and editors to identify interests, inform angles and develop pitches for MSFxe2x80x99s work to remain relevant.
• Supervises the intern to ensures the shared Prezly media database is kept updated with latest relevant contacts and notes.
• Develops proposes and coordinates of visits of journalists to MSF field projects in Southern Africa and internationally projects linked to domain of practice.
• Arrange regular background briefings with journalists on priority topics identified in the international operational and advocacy agendas relevant to domain of practice.

REGULAR RESPONSIBILITIES xe2x80x93 MEDIA RELATIONS

• Develops and implements 14-day media pitch schedule in collaboration with the Outreach team to relay MSF press releases and other materials.
• Undertakes bi-weekly media on-call duty, autonomously coordinating responses to active general media enquiries, arrange media interviews, briefs spokespeople and manages follow-ups.
• Produces regular reports on media coverage achieved on themes within domain of practice.

HR RECRUITMENT SUPPORT (TARGETED DIGITAL RECRUITMENT & MEDICAL JOURNALS)

• Develops the annual Targeted Digital Recruitment strategy as well as the paid media strategy on Medical Journal visibility, for validation by the Field HR Recruitment Manager, after consultation with the Head of Media and Digital Relations and Director of Communication.
• Defines the KPIs linked to the strategies (digital recruitment & medical journals) with support from the Head of Media and Digital Relations and delivers regular reports on progress/developments to the Field HR Recruitment Manager, Head of Media and Digital Relations, & Director of communication.
• Collaborates with Outreach and Input team colleagues to select, adapt and create relevant content for paid media materials to enable Medical Journal visibility.

COORDINATION, COLLABORATIONS, SYNERGIES & SUPPORT

• Plays a leading role in developing, implementing, and coordinating efforts elevating MSF Southern Africaxe2x80x99s media profile for topline awareness and recruitment initiatives/engagements involving This includes, developing and disseminating promotional material, pitching to media, responding to related requests by HR and association departments.
• Proactively look for opportunities to pitch MSF Southern Africa international mobile staff to South African niche/lifestyle media outlets to elevate African humanitarian voices/perspectives.
• Coordinate media outreach actions and collaborations with press officers and regional coordinators in West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, New York, Geneva among others within the domain of practice.
• When required, accept delegated tasks or assignments from the Head of Media and Digital Relations within the scope and on behalf of the Outreach team as needs arise and situations.
• When required, provide ad hoc field communication and media liaison support to MSF operations in and outside of South Africa based on approved requests.

MESSAGING, BRIEFINGS, TRAINING & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT:

• Collaborates with fellow media liaison (Comms specialist: human-interest projects), Head of Media and Digital Relations, Regional Operational Comms Adviser, DirCom and OSU Department, advocacy colleagues to develop cohesive messages for media interactions and spokespeople briefing.
• Develops training materials and content to undertake media trainings to key staff in the MSF Southern Africa Office, including the General Director, Department. Directors, MSF Southern Africa Board President, and a cohort of spokespeople when required
• Supports MSF Southern Africa staff in preparation for lectures/public engagements (Operations, Advocacy, Association and HR related).

MONITORING, ANALYSIS & STRATEGIC INSIGHT:

• Alternate monthly responsibility with fellow media liaison (human interest projects) to compile the news media teamxe2x80x99s report against KPIs.

• During that month the Specialist supervises the internxe2x80x99s daily, weekly & monthly media monitoring work and compilation of coverage reports.
• Collaborates with media liaison (human-interest) to compile a quarterly analyses report to track progress on MSF Southern Africaxe2x80x99s medium term media strategy under supervision of the Head of Media and Digital Relations.

REQUIREMENTS RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES: The position requires an experienced communication professional from a public relations, strategic communication, or media industry background. The skill & capacity to analyse the media landscape, public discourses and develop pitches that tell compelling stories is essential. Experience in probing collaborators to get clarity on their comms objectives is equally important as is nurturing networks of media professionals.
ESSENTIAL:

• Bachelorxe2x80x99s degree or post-graduate qualification in Journalism, Corporate Communication, Public Relations or International Relations or Marketing.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional media industry as journalist or communication professional in corporate or NGO environment.
• Commitment to aims, values of MSF and passion for Humanitarian.
• Proven strategy development capacities and writing abilities.
• Proven experience in digital media, mobile journalism, or marketing are advantageous.
• A good judgment of ethical aspects of communication.
• Demonstrable skill in oral and written communication and storytelling.
• Fluency in written and spoken.
• Keen interest in world news and international affairs.
• Highly computer literate, proficient in MS Office.
• Demonstrate ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects within tight deadlines.

DESIRABLE

• Availability for international travel to both MSF offices and project locations for 1-2 months per year.
  
• Established network of contacts within the South African media sector.
• Good levels of literacy in digital development and practice.

COMPETENCIES

• Commitment to MSF principles.
• Result and Quality Orientation.
• Teamwork and Cooperation.
• Initiative and Innovation.
• Networking and Relationship-building.
• Planning and Organising.

Salary Details

• Basic Salary: R35 402.33
• 13th Cheque in November
• 10% additional pension allowance
• 100% Medical Aid Contribution
• Transport allowance
• Cellphone allowance

Commitment:

• Length of commitment: 1 year

Closing date: 16 | November | 2023 Start date: December 2023
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. People living with disability are encouraged to apply.