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

Under the direction of the senior social media manager and as part of the Editorial Unit, the senior social media associate will create and publish dynamic content for social platforms and contribute to the overall communications strategy to inform, engage, and inspire US audiences. The senior associate will play an active role in increasing visibility through daily community engagement, news monitoring, and analytics reporting. The senior associate will provide strategic, data-driven support to communications teams and senior management, particularly during crises, by analyzing narratives and context through social media brand listening. This role will be Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday, depending on the department's quarterly needs.

Department Accountabilities

External Communications

Develop and distribute external communications products across multiple channels to bear witness to humanitarian needs, speak out with 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 toward brand strategy, brand positioning, and tactics to increase brand visibility.

Content Creation

Develop and support the production of creative and engaging 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.

Role Specific Outcomes

Digital Engagement Plan Execution

Support implementation of organic social media plans, develop related initiatives and content, and monitor performance of digital engagement campaigns. In a crowded digital space with ever-changing algorithm rules, take a creative approach in making sure medical and humanitarian topics reach people’s social feeds.

Research and Monitoring

Support international teams on crisis response by synthesizing complex social listening data into clear and actionable recommendations.

Content Creation

Draft organic social media copy and support the development of creative content, in accordance with organizational style guidelines, designed to engage diverse digital audiences.

Data Collection & Analysis

Use social analytic tools to create reports and dashboards. Involves working independently and in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Brand Positioning

Ensure the application of brand guidelines and brand templates.

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

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills

• Works independently with some managerial review and provides technical guidance when required on planning, organizing, prioritizing and overseeing activities to efficiently meet organizational objectives.
• Works independently with some managerial review and provides technical guidance when required on developing appropriate plans or performing necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements.

Behavioral Competencies

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

People Focus

Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; 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 the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.

Cultivates 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.

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 tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve 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.

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

Collaborates

Builds partnerships and works 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.

Values Difference

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 ways of communicating.

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 clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

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

Instills Trust

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front 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 not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, 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. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Technical Competencies

Plans and Aligns

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

Financial Acumen

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

Project Management Skills

The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work 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. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Acts as an individual contributor with specialization in social media.
• Trains social media intern when needed.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

At a minimum the Job Holder should possess:

• 3 years relevant professional experience, communications, journalism or nonprofit experience preferred.
• Experience supporting crisis communication response in complex environments with social listening tools.
• Ability to write clear, compelling, and accurate content across a range of platforms, with an interest in digital storytelling.
• Good understanding of the social media landscape with experience on platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, X, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
• Experience using social media publishing, management, and analytic tools, such as Sprout Social, Talkwalker, and Google Analytics.
• Knowledge in using Adobe or Canva for social media graphics, in-app platform video editing, or similar tools.

Travel Requirements

• Position is divided between Tuesday to Saturday and Monday to Friday.
• Must be willing to travel for work as needed.

Office Location New York, NY (Hybrid) This role is based in our New York office, where most of the team and operational infrastructure are located. Due to current staffing and budget constraints, we’re unable to support this position in our DC or California offices.

Compensation

$78,399 - $117,599, based on experience. In alignment with MSF USA’s compensation framework, new hires are generally offered between the minimum and midpoint of the range based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement: 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 accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at recruitment@newyork.msf.org.

We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.