Media Advisor

The Media Advisor has responsibility for the coordination and implementation of the media relations program for Médecins Sans Frontières Australia (MSFA). The overall objective of the role is to increase the visibility of the medical and humanitarian action of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and to advocate for the needs of our patients, among key audiences in Australia and New Zealand. The Media Advisor maintains a high-level of engagement with journalists and media outlets, and coordinates both short-term and long-lead media opportunities. The role provides high-level briefings to MSFA spokespeople and maintains a close relationship with colleagues in HQ and field offices. The role has a variety of additional communications and editorial responsibilities, including producing content for print and digital publications and supporting social media activities.

MAIN TASKS AND DUTIES

• Develop and execute a strategy to maintain and grow MSF’s impact through media, in line with the strategic plan
• Write, review and pitch high quality media content including media releases, opinion pieces, key messages, statements, web and social media content
• Provide high quality service to media by facilitating interview requests, including liaison with communications colleagues in the field and operational centres
• Develop and maintain relationships with key media stakeholders in Australia and New Zealand
• Together with the Media and Public Relations Manager, organise press conferences and media events or briefings as the need arises
• Provide media briefings, debriefings and training to MSF spokespeople including the MSFA Leadership Team, Medical Unit, Australian and New Zealand field staff and international guests
• Manage the field recruitment PR campaign by identifying medical and non-medical trade publications to place originally produced and supplied editorial
• Development of long-term project opportunities including pro-active and reactive media field visits and/or TV documentary proposals
• Brief/debrief field workers and identify internal and external communications opportunities drawing upon their field experience
• Manage MSFA’s media monitoring
• Evaluate and report on MSF’s media coverage
• Regularly supervise an editorial intern
• Contribute to a strong team culture in line with MSF’s values

Other

• Contribute to strategy development for the Communications Department 
• Facilitation and implementation of strategic or emergency field communications needs as they arise
• Contributing to other media and communications projects as required, including assisting with regional operational communications priorities
• Contribute to other communications activities and objectives as required 

Relationships

• Reporting directly to the Media & Public Relations Manager
• In the Manager’s absence, reporting directly to Head of Communications
• Coordinating with fellow members of the MSF Australia communications team to identify communications and media opportunities
• Collaborating with the other departments in Sydney including Digital, Field HR, Fundraising, Medical Unit and Programs Unit.
• Liaising with the organisation’s key spokespeople
• At international movement level, working in collaboration with HQ and field-based communications staff

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, media relations or related field
• Demonstrated experience in media relations, public relations or working in the communications department of a private, public or not-for-profit organisation or in journalism
• Demonstrated communications experience and deep knowledge of the Australian and New Zealand media landscape
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills including the ability to write and edit press releases, and produce stories for online and internal and external publications
• Strong organisation and time management skills in order to prioritise and manage a high volume of detailed work with conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience pitching to journalists and a demonstrated ability to successfully place proactive media stories
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to liaise with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders
• Capacity and willingness to work out-of-hours and weekends as per a regular rotating roster
• Capacity and willingness to be deployed to the field for emergency communications roles at short notice
• Covid Vaccination Certificate
• Current right to work in Australia (non-sponsored)

Desirable

• Prior experience working for and/or with Médecins Sans Frontières or a similar international humanitarian organisation
• Skills in a language other than English such as Arabic, French or Spanish