Senior Communications Manager, Global Health

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.

About the role

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, 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Identify significant medical humanitarian issues and execute integrated communications plans to increase public awareness, audience engagement, and support for advocacy priorities.
• Develop and contribute toward brand strategy, brand positioning, and tactics to increase brand visibility.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Develop and deliver 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contribute significantly toward developing brand strategy and brand positioning to achieve organizational goals.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles across all communications products and channels.

Requirements

• 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.
• Experience working with the access to medicines movement (preferred).
• 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.
• Willingness to travel for work as needed.

Skills

• People Focus: Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; aligns processes with organizational needs.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high-quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Global Perspective: Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Offers original ideas and appreciates others' creative solutions.
• Strategic Mindset: Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Establishes bold goals and is passionate about excellent outcomes.
• Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• 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.
• 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.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Models Resilience: Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• 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 to assist 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 communication approach to match shifting demands and audience needs.
• Organizational Insight: Applying knowledge of MSF USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.

Pay

$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.

Schedule

Hybrid – In Office Tuesdays and Wednesdays (New York, NY). Due to current staffing and budget constraints, this position is only available in the New York office.