Media and Research Manager

About Us Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality. Job Description JOB PURPOSE · Support regional institutional and operational communications and its advocacy objectives by designing and coordinating the execution of media strategy, leading media relation and engagement efforts, training staff for external engagements, and generating original stories for movement wide visibility. · Support medical and humanitarian advocacy by providing framework design for research, risk and reflection on thematics, building internal and external alignments, assessing socio-political risks, and identifying opportunities for engagement. · Ensure alignment with MSFs communication and advocacy strategy, and DEI guidelines, to support the production of powerful, engaging, and results-driving content to realise MSFs social mission, MSF South Asia’s branding, as well as help achieve MSF South Asia’s communications, advocacy, operational, fundraising, medical and field recruitment priorities. · Provide strategic support on innovation, branding and partnerships, as well as oversee the execution of MSFs Without Borders Media Fellowship. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Institutional and Movement Support : · Actively maintains and builds new relationships/networks with leading media professionals, and generate quality coverage of MSF’s work · Serve as the primary contact for media in India, with active links to media in South Asia. · Brief and debrief outgoing and returning field volunteers to prepare them for contact with the press. · Develops ideas, opportunities, and drafts feature articles, interviews, presentations, op-eds, and other communications pieces to promote awareness of the field and advocacy work of MSF. · Source high level insights from media professionals to identify interests, inform angles and develop pitches for MSF’s work to remain relevant · Organizes regular background briefings and press conferences with journalists on priority topics identified in international operational and advocacy agendas. · Advise on editorial content for the E-newsletter sent to key media contacts. · Providing frameworks for mapping exercises and organizational branding needs in South Asia · Monitor and build institutional engagement with stakeholders based in South Asia. · Encourage thought leadership in MSF South Asia · Ensure alignment with content strategy to produce quality products and outputs to maintain donor relations and build communities of practice · Provide strategic input to Editor towards the production of powerful, engaging, and results-driving content for fundraising Operational Communications : · Develop and maintain key messages/ talking points for projects and a list of MSF Staff as spokespersons. · Design and coordinate execution of media strategy (internal and external comms) to support advocacy and operational objectives, provide internal and external visibility of work done, and encourage thought leadership. · Collaborates with counterparts in South Asia (Field Comms Managers, Field Comms Officers, Communication Advisors and others) to develop cohesive messages for media interactions and spokespeople briefings. · Facilitate press visits in collaboration with operations South Asia. · Develop material for and execute media trainings for key staff in the MSF South Asia region as and when required. Medical and Humanitarian Advocacy : · Provide research design and framework support to build foundational monitoring and research practices on key themes and priorities for MSF South Asia and other MSF entities operating in the region. · Build internal and external networks/alignments to support reflection on medical and humanitarian issues · Supporting medical unit on public engagement around priority themes · Provide research design and framework support on research and networking, knowledge management and communications for Health and Humanity Summit. · Provide strategic support on innovation, branding and partnerships, as well as oversee the execution of MSFs Without Borders Media Fellowship · On a daily basis, ensures the monitoring of South Asian and other international news media in order to stay abreast of global events directly relevant to MSF’s. · Provide context reports and analysis of important social, policy-related, legal issues to the management team to facilitate informed decision making for MSF leadership in India and the South Asia region. · According to agreed KPIs, provides monthly, quarterly and yearly analysis of media coverage in order to evaluate the impact and outreach of the media coverage and formulate strategic improvements. Management and departmental administration : · Actively contribute to the strategic discussions on planning and implementation of MSF South Asia’s strategic objectives, on improving regional engagement, news media trends, risk analyses, tools and tactics in order to optimize media engagement for target audiences · Supervise and mentor the Outreach Officer, while also coordinating with relevant focal points across South Asia. · Identify learning and development needs for the media team and for others in the South Asia region. · Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings, office presentations/debates to stay informed on important MSF topics · Monitor field activities to appropriately represent MSF in communication materials. · Adherence to Data Protection Policy · Contribute towards internal communications Financial Dimensions · Handles all budget elements under the media team Other dimensions · Collaborates with the Communications team · Collaborates with GD’s office, HR, FR, MSF operations in MSF South Asia and, shares information with colleagues from the MSF movement worldwide including with Communication Advisors and Press Officers. · Supervises the media team · While there is no direct management, there is a large amount of coordination required for this role, specifically with focal points across South Asia and in the larger MSF movement. Requirements Educational Qualifications & Functional / Technical Skills : Degree in Journalism, mass communications, nonprofit communications, or an 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: Minimum 5-7 years of relevant work experience in communications, preferably in media communications/campaigning in an international nonprofit or private sector setting. A strong insight and knowledge of media dynamics and priorities in South Asia, especially in the health and humanitarian area A strong roster of influencers in the media space in the South Asia region Proven experience with aligning advocacy and communication goals Excellent writing, research and analytical skills A good judgment of ethical aspects of communications and journalism Other requirements : Ability to integrate into a multicultural team within the office and across the movement. Demonstrated knowledge and embrace of social media, especially as a strategic media relations tool Very strong ethical drive, cultural sensitivity, tolerance of others, and alignment with MSF principles Ability to work collaboratively, with an attention to detail. A c reative problem solver Outstanding negotiation and persuasion skills as well as proven time management and organizational skills Ability to handle multiple projects at the same time & Ability to work independently and creatively Willingness to travel domestically and internationally with short notice, sometimes to complex security contexts Competencies: Commitment to MSF Principles Cross cultural awareness Behavioral flexibility Strategic Vision Results and quality orientation Planning and organizing Teamwork and cooperation Networking and building relationships Benefits We offer : Contract duration is one year with a possibility of contract extension. A stimulating, professional environment in a reputed international organization. Compensation gross per month range USD 2335 - USD 2788 – (Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually; final salary will depend on the scaling of the CV as per MSF criteria) 13th Month bonus (equivalent to one month gross) will be additional. Medical: MSF provides medical reimbursement for employees and their dependents as per MSF health care policy. This is an international vacancy with MSF South Asia and we provide MSF South Asia’s international package benefits of monthly housing allowance (USD 734 for single / USD 916 for family) , child education allowance (up to USD 417 per child, annual holiday ticket and relocation package All benefits (salaries, allowances, etc) are subject to tax deduction ** Non-Sri Lankan staff working in Sri Lanka and holding a resident permit are considered tax residents and are liable for income tax at progressive rates up to 36% on total income, inclusive of salary and benefits. As Sri Lanka operates on a self-assessment basis, staff are required to register for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), make quarterly advance tax payments as applicable. HOW TO APPLY : Please send a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (both should be in one document) by clicking on the link below: https://msfindia.zohorecruit.in/jobs/Careers Application Checklist: Please check that you have included the following in your application: -An updated CV along with letter of motivation, which is a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the key requirements of the role. (both should be attached as one document.) Remarks: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Closing Date - 21 September 2026