Press and Communications Internship
Full time, 3 months duration
Deadline: 9am Monday 23rd September 2013
Application: Send a cover letter, CV and answers to the questions at the end of this document to
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) London
MSF is an independent and international medical aid organisation. In over 60 countries worldwide, we provide life-saving emergency relief, including epidemic control, war surgery, nutritional assistance and primary healthcare.
MSF's aim is to provide impartial assistance, on the basis of need alone, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, creed or political affiliation. To maintain its independence from political interference, MSF relies on donations from private individuals for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond to the greatest needs as quickly and independently as possible.
As medical professionals, MSF volunteers have a duty to bear witness and sometimes to speak out on behalf of the patients and communities they are working with. MSF campaigns locally and internationally for humanitarian principles and medical ethics and for access to essential medicines for the world’s poorest and most excluded people.
MSF UK is one of 19 offices and operational centres in Europe, America and Australasia, pooling funding, expertise and staff for field operations. Around 3,000 people volunteer their skills every year to work as international staff and the organisation also employs around 27,000 locally in the project locations.
The mandate of the UK section is to provide technical, medical, human resources, financial and communications support to field operations. A permanent team of around 45 is based in London and there is a small sub office in Dublin, which has a significant communications agenda. Approximately 200 British volunteers leave on field assignments every year, which makes MSF UK the largest recruiter of medical staff for overseas humanitarian work in the country.
Communications Department
The department’s purpose is to raise the profile of the organisation and its causes amongst British and international audiences via increasingly diverse media to support MSF’s advocacy, recruitment, and fundraising activities.
The media has long been essential to MSF’s advocacy and fundraising, so our policy is one of openness and co-operation with the press. Communications staff are highly valued within the organisation and are expected to contribute actively in strategic and communication decisions. The UK is a hub for communications internationally and MSF UK is expected to play a significant role in supporting communications ambitions for the whole of MSF. New technology involving web, audio-visual content and other multi-media productions are central to this strategic vision.
The communications department currently consists of ten members of staff; a head of department, two press officers, a broadcast relations manager, a digital content manager and digital assistant, a publications officer, a writer/editor, a public engagement officer, and a blogging coordinator. We also have a significant number of regular volunteers who help us out one or two days a week and whose involvement and contribution is much appreciated.
Role Description
We require a bright and helpful intern to provide daily support to our communications team. The primary focus will be to support the work of the two press officers - researching and mapping media coverage as well as helping with reporting and analysis. However there will also be the requirement – and the opportunity – to help out with the work of other members of the team. The successful candidate will gain exposure to and experience in all aspects of NGO communication work and will be treated as a full member of our team.
Main Duties
· compile and distribute press review (content has been identified by press officers)
· compile "upcoming future events" from media diary service
· media mapping using various tools, including Twitter and other social media
· help with media coverage analysis
· help with pitching and following up local media stories
· media monitoring (Sunday papers, web)
· commission and edit articles for internal newsletter
· photo research on photo database
· English language editing – for web and for print
· basic picture editing
Personal Attributes
· demonstrable interest in press and media work
· experience working with databases, researching in archives, etc
· experience using MS Office, Photoshop and social media (Twitter, Facebook)
· professional and efficient manner essential
· strong communication skills – written and oral
· genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF
· willingness and ability to manage administration
· fluency in written and spoken English (other languages are an advantage)
· highly organised and punctual
Commitment
· 9.30 – 5pm, 5 days per week for 3 months (with possibility for extension)
· Starting as soon as possible
· Line reporting to the press officers, ultimately responsible to head of communications
Benefits
The position is unpaid but reasonable travel and lunch expenses are provided.
This role is an opportunity to explore the day to day operation of an NGO and to become acquainted with the means and methods of NGO communications. Also there will be ample opportunity to learn about MSF and you are welcome to attend and contribute to weekly office meetings and operational updates.
How to apply
Please send a copy of your CV along with a short letter of motivation and answers to the application questions below to by 9am on Monday 23 September
For an informal discussion about the role you can contact Press Officer, Sophie-Jane Madden, by email at or by phone 0207 067 4217.
Closing date: 9am, 23rd September 2013
We plan to hold interviews for this position w/c 30th September
The internship will start as soon as possible
Please Note – we will require a copy of your passport confirming your right to be in the UK. For volunteers who will access confidential data two references will be required.