Deputy Chief Communications Officer

Job Description

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

The Deputy Chief Communications Officer is a leader focused on strategy development, special projects, technology, and innovation to increase MSF's visibility and impact in the United States. The Deputy ensures that team members collaborate effectively across the department and organization to inform US audiences about our medical humanitarian operations and principles, raise awareness about the challenges facing communities we assist, amplify advocacy efforts on priority emergencies and global health issues, and foster engagement with supporters.  

The Deputy Chief Communications Officer manages organizational systems and processes for annual and multiyear planning and cross-functional projects. The Deputy reports to the Chief Communications Officer and has two direct reports (Communications Project Manager and Communications Assistant). The Deputy plays a leading role on the Communications Management Team (including the Editorial Director, Media Director, and Senior Manager for Public Engagement) to ensure alignment and achieve strategic objectives.  

Department Accountabilities 

External Communications  

Develop and distribute external communications products across multiple channels to raise awareness of humanitarian needs, advocate for 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 to brand strategy, positioning, and tactics to increase brand visibility.  

Content Creation  

Produce and support 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.    

Roles Specific Outcomes 

Leadership and Direction  

Communicate the organization's mission, vision, and values, and its strategy for achieving these; set and communicate the strategy and broad action plan for delivering these within a strategic function; inspire a diverse global workforce to commit to these and to do extraordinary things to achieve the organization's business goals.  

Strategy Formation and Implementation  
Drive strategy for an organizational area of significant function, anticipating trends, challenges, and opportunities for innovation. Ensure the plan is successfully implemented and meets long-term MSF USA needs.  

External Communications  
Take responsibility for designing, developing, and delivering effective external communications systems with the Chief Communications Officer.  

Media Relations Campaign Planning  
Ensure alignment of earned and paid media plans to raise awareness about operational activities, advocacy priorities, and other organizational objectives.  

Brand Positioning  
Lead the development of the brand positioning within the overall brand strategy and articulate the desired brand positioning to MSF-USA. 

Performance Management  
Manage and report on the performance of the function/business area; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold them accountable for achieving these; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of annual business objectives.  

MSF Representation  
Represent the movement in various industries, institutional and/or professional forums, boards, and committees to promote the movement. Represent the organization in external relations with donors, the public, and news organizations.   

Budgeting  

Take responsibility for setting and approving budgets for large areas or significant parts of the business that achieve organizational strategy.  

Procedural Improvement  

To improve service quality, effectiveness, and efficiency, lead procedural development and improvement, informed by policy and operating frameworks.  

These core accountabilities should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required by an incumbent in this job.  Incumbents are required to perform other functions as assigned.  

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills 

• Use expertise to act as an organizational authority on planning, organizing, prioritizing, and overseeing activities to meet objectives efficiently. 
• Operates as a recognized expert to assess circumstances and adjust appropriately to thrive. Typically known as a subject matter authority. 
• Acts as an organizational authority and established expert on maintaining high performance while applying a change mindset to the planning, execution, and monitoring of organizational activities during times of transition.  

Behavioral Competencies  

THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity and contribute by creating new and different. 

People Focus 

Build strong relationships and deliver solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the team's level of service; acts when the team does not meet standards; 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 different regions or countries' unique needs. Use a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges. 

Cultivate 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. 

RESULTS: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs. 

Drives Results 

Consistently achieves results, even under challenging circumstances. Regularly pushes self to attain outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way. 

Ensures Accountability 

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. 

PEOPLE: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals. 

Collaborates 

Build partnerships and work 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 multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information concisely and professionally when speaking or writing. 

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 communication methods. 

Builds Effective Teams 

Build strong identity teams applying diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. 

Manage Conflicts 

Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise. 

Build 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. 

SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.  

Instills Trust 

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Model honesty and authenticity and encourage others to be upfront with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions. 

Manages Ambiguity 

Operates effectively, even when things are uncertain or the way forward is unclear. Responds effectively to ambiguous situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity, and makes progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes and 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. Consider the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization, and shift priorities appropriately. 

Being Resilient 

Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. 

Technical Competencies 

Plans and Aligns 

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals. 

Financial Acumen 

Interprets and applies to understanding 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 collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.  

Project Management Skills 

The ability to plan and manage small project 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. Considering the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization shifts priorities appropriately. 

Organizational Insight 

Applying knowledge of MSF-USA and industry to advance the organization’s goals. 

Supervisory Responsibility 

Provides strategic communication leadership to MSF USA. The Deputy Chief Communications Officer has two direct reports and is part of the management team of five professionals leading editorial, media, and public engagement activities. 

Desired Qualifications & Experience 

• Senior experience in managing big, diverse, and opinionated teams and leading changes   
• Master's degree (MA) or equivalent; or five to ten years related leadership experience and training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in media management, journalism, or public relations 
• Experience managing communications crises and protecting brand reputation 
• An insatiable news appetite and solid news judgment, with an understanding of the US and global media landscape 
• Experience developing innovative digital strategies and experimenting with new tools, including generative artificial intelligence  
• Strong familiarity with social media platforms and their utility to amplify messages, as well as how to counter mis/disinformation 
• Strong grasp of international affairs, geopolitics, and dynamics driving humanitarian crises.  
• Solid understanding of best practices in digital engagement, transmedia storytelling, and communications innovation 
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building and leading a diverse team  

Travel Requirements  

Must be willing to travel for work as needed 

Compensation 

$173,720 to $269,265, based on experience 

 

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 also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

 

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

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