Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders 

Press & Research Officer

New Delhi

HR.Support.India@new-delhi.msf.org

Vacancies:	1
Last date of application:	January 31, 2021
Expected starting date:	N/A

General

• Position: Press & Research Officer
• No. of vacancies: 1 (One)
• Location of Job: MSF India Branch Office, New Delhi
• Department: Communications
• Reporting to: Media Manager
• Closing Date: 31st January 2021
• Annual Salary (before TDS): INR 10,72,233 – INR 12,06,920
• Email: HR.Support.India@new-delhi.msf.org

Background

MSF is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that intervenes in emergencies and crises, to relieve human suffering from unmet medical needs and to create a space for humanity. MSF works to provoke a social and political response that meets the essential needs, and respects and protects the dignity, of people in danger. MSF strives to innovate and incite change through its medical action, its “témoignage” and its active reflection on the situation of populations in danger.

Respecting its Charter and shared principles, MSF is an independent movement of citizen associations that are integrated and open to their societies. In a spirit of volunteerism, acting in proximity to and in solidarity with assisted peoples, MSF’s members adhere to humanitarian principles and respect for medical ethics.

MSF has worked in India since 1999, providing free-of-charge essential healthcare to people in remote areas, and specialist care for people affected by HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, kala azar and sexual and gender-based violence. We also respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, provide mental healthcare and advocate for the development of more effective and affordable medicines to improve access to treatment for people everywhere. We currently run projects in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Telangana.

MSF has projects in more than 70 countries. MSF India is one of 24 institutional offices pooling funding, expertise and staff for MSF field operations worldwide.

MSF was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in 1996 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

MSF India is a people-focused humanitarian organization that offers a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. We believe this approach enhances our work and we are committed to equity in employment. We embrace diverse backgrounds of people working together to exhibit their passion in action for the social mission of MSF. 

Médecins Sans Frontieres, as a responsible employer, invites persons with disability with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the vacant position.

Job Purpose

• Generates and facilitates media coverage for MSF India in regional and national media
• Drives research to support with context reports, opinion and analytical pieces
• Contributes to the development and implementation of the overall Communications Annual Plan

Key Accountabilities

Media Engagement

• Serves as the front-line contact for media in India and connects them with MSF India spokespersons in a timely and comprehensive manner.
• Conceives and creates media coverage opportunities for MSF in line with strategic objectives and wherever required in collaboration with MSF India Operations and Access Campaign.
• Identifies and leverages in-house expertise in different humanitarian topics to proactively pitch to media in India, and where relevant, to media in South Asia.
• Writes and/or distributes press releases to media
• In conjunction with Media Manager, organises press briefings for media and facilitates press visits.
• Provides inputs on content for various MSF communication collaterals.
• When necessary, backs up MSF India Media Manager by fielding and triaging media inquiries and connects media with MSF India spokespersons in a timely manner.
• Supports in briefing and debriefing outgoing and returning field volunteers to prepare them for contact with the press and to stay abreast of MSF field activities.

Analysis and Monitoring

• Reporting and support analysis of relevant topics like important social, policy-related and legal issues for MSF leadership in India and South Asia.
• On a daily basis, monitor India and international news media in order to stay abreast of global events directly relevant to MSF’s work and to maintain knowledge of reporter and photographer beats and movements.
• Supports MSF India Media Manager to carry out quarterly and yearly media analysis according to KPIs in order to evaluate the impact and outreach and formulate recommendations.
• Identifies influential media, new media (offline and online) journalists.

Media Database and rapport building with Media

• Updates the media database with relevant media contacts.
• Regular media monitoring and updating of the media coverage.
• Develops and maintains broader relationships with relevant media in order to expand coverage of MSF work in India.

Media support to public events and other projects with media

• Supports in developing and implementing a media plan to support recruitment in collaboration with HR.
• Supports with media-related projects (E.g.  lectures to media students in India, speaker series, Fellowship programs) that fall outside mainstream media.

Management and Coordination

• Participates in formulating cohesive messages and media strategies along with MSF India Media Manager
• Participate in formulating yearly action plan for media activities including budget, timeline and KPIs (In collaboration with the Media manager)

Management and departmental administration

• Attends regularly scheduled departmental meetings to share information, brainstorm solutions, and coordinate priorities.
• Participates in planning and implementation of MSF-India’s communications strategies, policies and procedures.
• Carries out any duties that may reasonably be required by the Media Manager and/or Head of communications in the light of the main purpose of the job.
• Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings, in-office presentations/debates to stay informed on important MSF topics.

Key Dimensions

• Build relationships with key journalists among the regional and national media in India, and where relevant, in South Asia.
• Supports Media Manager in implementing the media strategy

Key Performance Indicators

• Provide daily news briefs on relevant public health concerns and areas MSF works in.
• Should provide up to date media analysis whenever required and maintain media database
• Ensures expats stories/profiling in media frequently
• Regular coverage of MSF projects in regional, national and medical media as required by various departments and operations
• Drives overall engagement on media newsletter which goes to media professionals in the region

Key Interactions

• Works closely with operations, all members of the Communication as well as the General Director, the association and the HR departments.
• Builds strong relationships and collaborates strategically and actively with
  
  
• MSF India operations (through Field Communication Managers)
• Access Campaign India office based in Delhi
• Colleagues from the MSF movement worldwide including with Communication Advisors, Communication Coordinators, Media Managers and Press Officers.

Other Indicative Requirements

Educational Qualifications & Functional / Technical Skills

• Graduate in Journalism/Mass communication, social science, media research or equivalent field from a reputed institute and/or a combination of relevant professional experiences in line with the responsibilities listed in this job description.  

Relevant Experience (Type of experience and minimum number of years)

• 4-5 years of experience working in media organisations as a journalist or communications preferably in media communication/campaigning in an iNGO or private sector setting.

Other requirements (Behavioural, Language, Certifications etc, including competencies )

• Ability to effectively present information to the media.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral skills (Hindi and English compulsory), multimedia skills would be an asset.
• Experience in organising press conferences and media events.
• Experience in writing on important health issues for reputable publications.
• Previous Experience in handling media datasets and analysis tools (Meltwater, Talkwalker etc.)
• Should be able to translate from English to Hindi effectively.
• Knowledge in additional Indian languages would be an asset.
• Excellent communication and (re)presentation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex and sensitive material accurately to produce press releases and articles for publication in regional media.
• Able to work under high pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Able to organize & prioritize workload independently
• Creative, pro-active and flexible.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international affairs and humanitarian activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of leading global health issues and policies.
• Demonstrated knowledge and embrace of social media, especially as a strategic media relations tool.
• Willing and able to work on irregular days and hours.
• Willingness to travel within and outside India.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office especially MS Word and MS Excel

Behavioural Competencies

• People Management and Development (Level 2)
• Planning and Organising (Level 2)
• Teamwork and Cooperation (Level 2)
• Strategic Vision (Level 2)

HR & Benefits

• A stimulating, professional environment in a reputed international organization.
• Annual Salary (before TDS): INR 1072233 – INR 1206920
• 33 paid leaves (prorate from date of joining) and other leaves as per MSF Internal Regulations.
• Contributions for statutory benefit programs such as Provident Fund and Gratuity.
• Covered under accident insurance
• Medical: MSF provides medical reimbursement for employees and their dependents as per MSF India health care policy

Application Procedure

Please clearly state in ‘subject’ of email which position you are applying for and the source from where you saw the job profile and send your CV with cover letter (combined in one word file) to:

HR.Support.India@new-delhi.msf.org

Last application date:  31^st January 2021

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