Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization created in 1971, provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, or exclusion from health care. MSF runs humanitarian programs in around 70 countries worldwide.

MSF opened its office in the Republic of Korea in 2012, based in Seoul. The MSF Korea office focuses on four key pillars: (1) fundraising from Korean donors to directly support MSF medical humanitarian activities, (2) recruitment of skilled Korean medical and non-medical staff to dispatch to MSF field projects, (3) communications to the Korean public on global humanitarian crises and urgent health emergencies, (4) outreach to Korean stakeholders and policymakers in support of international community engagement and action related with MSF social mission.

The primary objective of the Communications department is to raise the visibility of MSF’s medical humanitarian work and MSF’s profile in South Korea. The Communications team will ensure the development and delivery of coherent and clear public messages linked to MSF’s field activities and the humanitarian principles that underpin them. Strategies to raise the visibility and acceptance of MSF include communicating through multiple channels of mass and social media, digital channels, print and digital publications produced in or translated into Korean, public events and campaigns.

Under the direction of the Communications Director, the Media Relations Specialist will be responsible for engaging media to expand overall MSF presence on traditional and new media, with an aim to increase visibility and anchor MSF’s activities, principles, and concerns in Korea. S/he will garner press coverage based on the operational news received from the MSF movement and develop tailored messaging for Korean media and audiences. S/he will cultivate and manage the media network to engage and keep informed of MSF's activities and positions.

Under the supervision of the Communications Director, support planning and implementing MSF Korea’s media activities in order to keep the public informed of MSF's operations and activities in Korea.

General Media Relations

• Serve as a front-line media contact, respond to media inquiries, provide relevant information and materials, and connect media with appropriate MSF spokespeople.
• Produce talking points and other key messages for media and for speaking engagement with externals.
• Edit, write, translate (when needed), and distribute press releases.
• Participate or support in media interviews of field workers/spokespeople – organizing, liaising with interviewer and interviewee, writing biographies and profiles, developing and briefing on key talking points, gathering photos/videos for media needs.
• Maintain database of spokespeople (field workers, staff, etc.) and assist and coach on media presentation (media training).
• Expand media network and maintain media contact database.

Media Engagement and Pitching

• Devise approaches to mass and targeted media outlets and channels to diffuse MSF operational news and to support communications initiatives and campaigns.
• Develop messages and angles to pitch to media and draft feature articles, interviews, op-eds, and other MSF-authored articles.
• Proactively meet journalists, producers, writers, influencers, bloggers, etc. (external media) to pitch stories to obtain visibility and leverage among Korean media outlets.
• Proactively organize media activities such as press briefings and media tours to MSF field locations.
• Work closely with others in Communications department to boost media coverage for public engagement plans.
• Review and report on the impact of MSF media relations activities.

Media Monitoring

• Conduct daily media monitoring and develop weekly reports on MSF coverages and mentions in Korea.
• On a daily basis, monitor major Korean and international news to stay abreast of global events directly relevant and tangential to MSF’s work in Korea.
• Analyze Korean news media and evaluate news cycles and trends to enhance media coverage.

Partnerships

• Research and analyze effective news platforms or influencers for potential partnerships.
• Work with media outlets on branded content - identifying topics, developing angles and messages, providing materials, managing timeline and budget, etc.
• Review and report on the impact of media partnerships.

Crisis Management

• Handle crisis communications by triaging press inquiries, drafting and validating reactive lines, monitoring the press, and advising level of reactivity vs proactivity.
• Translate and write reactive messages to respond to media/public/donor inquiries in case of emergencies or potential reputational crises.
• Under the supervision of Communications Director, work with others in Communications Department, Fundraising, HR, and Finance & Compliance Department in responding to potential reputational crises.
• Act as a media focal point in the Crises Management Team in case of critical incidents.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Genuine interest in and commitment to the medical humanitarian principles of MSF
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in journalism, communications, or PR
• Insight and understanding of communications approaches and media landscape of Korea
• Experience of developing relationships with journalists, including in broadcast media, and working with them to deliver positive coverage
• Structured approach, eye for detail and ability to manage deadlines
• Knowledge of how to use social media and traditional media channels
• Experience working in a global, diverse organisational culture
• Creative and proactive
• Excellent interpersonal skills and team player
• Native level Korean language ability
• Fluent speaker and writer of English
• Willingness to travel overseas if and when required

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Experience working in a nongovernmental or non-profit organization
• Knowledge of medical, technical, and humanitarian concepts and terminology
• Knowledge and interest in humanitarian issues and international affairs
• Photography and/or videography skills

If you are interested in this position, please send your motivation letter and CV in English to HR Department at:  recruit@seoul.msf.org 
Application Deadline: March 15th, 2022