Senior Communications Manager, Global Health
About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients.
MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. 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 Chief Communications Officer, the Senior Communications Manager for Global Health will lead MSF USA’s communications on issues related to global health and access to medical tools, and support the Programs department in shaping related public advocacy strategies. This role will work in close coordination with Programs, with the international MSF Access team, and other relevant stakeholders across the movement. The senior communications manager will lead related communications strategy development, advise on creative vision and direction for key initiatives, and provide editorial guidance on priority global health issues relevant to US audiences. This role also serves as the US communications lead and focal point for the MSF movement on access to medicines, products for health care, and global health.
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 Develop and support the production of creative and engaging external communications content across audiences and channels, including for the website, social media, and live events.
Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Promote DEI principles across all communications products and channels.
ROLE SPECIFIC OUTCOMES
Strategy Development & Execution Lead, shape, and support MSF USA’s communications strategies on issues related to global health and access to medicines, in coordination with the Programs department and in line with relevant advocacy objectives.
Specialist Expertise Act as MSF USA’s lead and focal point for communications on the movement on access to medicines and products for health care. Serve as a specialist resource on access-related communications for other teams across MSF USA, including Programs and Development. Serve as the communications focal point with US-based organizations in the access to medicines movement.
External Communications Take responsibility for developing and delivering editorial strategies and plans for external communications on global health issues, with guidance from the Chief Communications Officer. Provide editorial oversight and support on priority dossiers identified by Programs, specifically the Global Health Advocacy & Policy unit. Provide medical editing and technical communications guidance, including to support policy briefs and research papers and tailor materials for specialist and general audiences.
Content Creation Develop and oversee creative content about MSF’s work on global health issues for key audiences, ensuring that news and stories are medically accurate, clear, and compelling.
Integrated Campaigns Provide expertise and support for the international MSF Access team, liaising with relevant stakeholders across the MSF network. Coordinate MSF USA communications campaigns on access-related issues.
Brand Positioning Contribute significantly toward developing brand strategy and brand positioning to achieve organizational goals.
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
- Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and organizations, including medical professionals, civil society and community organizations, and global health organizations.
- Strategic thinker and problem solver, ability to develop solutions to challenges. Ability to apply judgment and diplomacy in complex situations. Strong facilitation skills; ability to work cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting with long-distance working relationships.
- Uses comprehensive knowledge, highly developed skills, and professional judgment to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on planning, organizing, prioritizing, and overseeing activities to efficiently meet organizational objectives.
- Works at an advanced level to assess the facts and circumstances of the current situation and/or environment and adapt thinking and work habits to thrive in any scenario.
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
People Focus Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.
Manages Complexity Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.
Global Perspective Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.
Cultivates Innovation Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.
Strategic Mindset Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.
Drives Results Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions.
Ensures Accountability Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
Collaborates Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages us versus them thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.
Communicates Effectively Develops and delivers multimode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Values Differences Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.
Manages Conflict Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
Builds Networks Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
Drives Vision and Purpose Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.
Instills Trust Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another.
Manages Ambiguity Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.
Situational Adaptability Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations.
Models Resilience Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations, and fosters a culture of mutual support.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Plans and Aligns Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF USA goals.
Financial Acumen Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
Tech Savvy Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.
Data Collection and Analysis The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.
Project Management Skills The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters.
Presentation and Written Communication Skills Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.
Organizational Insight Applying knowledge of MSF USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
At a minimum the Job Holder should possess:
- Minimum 7-10 years of medical/global health communications experience, plus bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of the global health landscape, especially the role played by US-based global health actors and the US government. Candidates with experience working with the access to medicines movement will be given additional consideration.
- Professional knowledge and understanding of US news media and social media landscape, combined with solid news judgment.
- Proficiency in international affairs and humanitarian issues.
- Excellent research, writing, and editing skills, and ability to effectively present information to a variety of audiences.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Must be willing to travel for work as needed.
LOCATION
New York, NY (Hybrid – In Office Tuesdays and Wednesdays) This role is based in our New York office, where most of the team and operational infrastructure are located. Due to current staffing and budget constraints, we are unable to support this position in our DC or California offices.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Acts as an individual contributor with specialization.
COMPENSATION
$124,346.00 - $186,518.00; In alignment with MSF USA’s compensation framework, new hires are generally offered between the minimum and midpoint of the range based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.
Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement: MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws.
We seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.
We also provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at recruitment@newyork.msf.org .
We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.
Safeguarding Statement:
All Employees and Representatives of MSF USA have a duty to treat the individuals, families, and communities with whom we interact and serve with dignity and respect, and to ensure their safety and protection. We are committed to fostering a workplace and organizational culture that is safe, inclusive, and free from harassment, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. This commitment is supported by policies and procedures that promote an environment where misconduct and abuse are not tolerated.
Employment may be contingent upon satisfactory reference checks and/or background screening appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.