DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation created in 1971, provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care. MSF runs humanitarian programs in around 462 projects worldwide. MSF opened its office in the Republic of Korea in 2012, based in Seoul. The MSF Korea office focuses on four key pillars: (1) recruitment of skilled Korean medical and non-medical staff to dispatch to MSF field projects, (2) communications to the Korean public on global humanitarian crises and urgent health emergencies, (3) outreach to Korean stakeholders and policymakers in support of international community engagement and action, (4) and fundraising from Korean donors to directly support MSF medical humanitarian activities
PURPOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The primary objective of the Communications department is to raise the visibility of MSF’s medical humanitarian work and MSF’s profile in South Korea. The Communications team will ensure the development and delivery of coherent and clear public messages linked to MSF’s field activities and the humanitarian principles that underpin them. Strategies to raise the visibility and acceptance of MSF include communicating through multiple channels of mass and social media, digital channels, print and digital publications, and public events and campaigns, produced in or translated into Korean.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Under direction of the Director of Communications, the Communications Manager will ensure quality content, and develop and execute media plans to increase visibility and anchor MSF’s activities, principles, and concerns in Korea. S/he will garner press coverage and develop tailored messaging for Korean media and Korean audiences. S/he will ensure efficient coordination of content production and develop relevant editorial themes and story angles based on trending topics and MSF priorities.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Editorial Content
Under supervision of the Director of Communications, manage the development and production of content for presentation on MSF Korea platforms and publications.
- Serve as editorial gatekeeper for Korean-language content and translation to ensure quality, clarity, creativity, authenticity, and consistency.
- Check and safeguard that messages and tone are correct and in line with the MSF’s core principles, communications policies, editorial style, institutional identity.
- Manage content planning, identify stories and features for media and other platforms, and maintain editorial calendar.
- Coordinate content production for MSF channels and publications in collaboration with the Communications team and people from other departments.
Media Relations
Under supervision of the Director of Communications, plan and implement MSF Korea’s media activities, and measure their impact in line with MSF Korea’s Plan of Action, in order to keep the public informed of MSF's programs and positions.
Press Activities
- Serve as front-line media contact and respond to media-related inquiries and connect media with appropriate MSF spokespeople.
- Produce talking points and other key messages for press and for MSF Korea staff engagement with externals, including General Director.
- Handle crisis communications by triaging press inquiries, drafting and validating reactive lines, monitoring the press, and advising level of reactivity vs proactivity.
- Edit, write, translate (when needed), and distribute press releases
- Develop and draft feature articles, interviews, op-eds, and other MSF-authored articles.
- On a daily basis, monitor and share major Korean and international news to stay abreast of global events directly relevant and tangential to MSF’s work in Korea.
- Analyze Korean news media and evaluate news cycles and trends to enhance media coverage.
- Expand media network and maintain media contact database.
- Assist and coach expats, staff, and Board members on media presentation (media training)
- Participate or support in interviewing expats/spokespeople and writing biographies and profiles, and gathering photos/videos for press needs and support database of expats/spokespeople.
Media Engagement
- Devise approaches to mass and targeted media outlets and channels to support communications initiatives and campaigns.
- Proactively meet journalists and bloggers, and pitch stories to obtain visibility and leverage among Korean media outlets.
- Proactively organize media activities such as press briefings and media tours to MSF field locations.
- Use knowledge of and influence with news media to support fundraising, recruiting, visibility raising, awareness building and other MSF activities.
- Review and report on impact of MSF media relations activities.
Public Awareness and Engagement
- Work closely with others in Communications department to develop material and approaches to support public engagement plans.
- Collaborate with Fundraising and HR in support of generating public awareness and on opportunities and challenges in the media.
Other
- Represent the Director of Communications internally when Director is absent.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Essential Skills
- Genuine interest in and commitment to the medical humanitarian principles of MSF
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience in journalism, communications, or PR
- Editorial or content creation experience
- Insight and understanding of communications approaches and media landscape of Korea
- Experience of developing relationships with journalists, including in broadcast media, and working with them to deliver positive coverage
- Experience in supervisory or managerial role
- Structured approach, eye for detail and ability to manage deadlines
- Knowledge of how to use social media and traditional media channels
- Experience working in a global, diverse organizational culture
- Creative and proactive
- Excellent interpersonal skills and team player
- Native level Korean language ability
- Excellent speaker and writer of English
- Willingness to travel overseas if and when required
Desirable Skills
- Experience working in a nongovernmental or non-profit organization
- Knowledge of medical, technical, and humanitarian concepts and terminology
- Knowledge and interest in humanitarian issues and international affairs
- Photography and/or videography skills
- Familiarity with CMS and Adobe Acrobat/Illustrator
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
- Dynamic candidates with relevant qualifications who are interested to apply may submit a letter of motivation and CV, in English to 'recruit@seoul.msf.org '
- Thank you for your interest. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Application Deadline is May 02, 2019