Senior Press Officer - News
Company Description
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES UK Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.
MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference.
MSF has around 67,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world. Our medical humanitarian projects are supported by offices in 44 countries, including the UK and Ireland. These teams recruit staff, organise fundraising, and raise awareness on the humanitarian crises our colleagues are witnessing, as well as running different and diverse support activities. MSF offices are spread across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.
At MSF UK/IE, we support MSF's operations by building relationships with our supporters, increasing awareness of our work, raising funds, providing specialist medical expertise, ensuring MSF staff have access to relevant higher education programmes, catalysing change on medical humanitarian issues, and recruiting field staff. MSF UK/IE personnel are dynamic, hard-working, enthusiastic and committed to MSF's values and aims. In addition MSF continues to build upon its presence in Ireland to become a widely recognised, accepted and respected humanitarian organisation among Irish audiences, and within the Irish humanitarian and political sector.
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Position
The main purpose of this role is to achieve coverage about MSF through responding to news enquiries in a timely manner and putting out reactive updates / press releases.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon - Fri (
The role may be offered on a part-time basis for a suitable candidate)
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: London - hybrid, 2 days per week in London office
Salary: £52,866.48 per annum
Job Purpose:
- The main purpose of this role is to achieve coverage about MSF through responding to news enquiries in a timely manner and putting out reactive updates / press releases.
- Facilitate interviews with colleagues in the field / UK office, so relies on excellent relationships internally at MSF.
- Raise awareness of the work and priorities of MSF with core target audiences via coverage in UK and international radio, podcasts, TV, print, online and documentaries.
- Maintain relationships with international colleagues e.g. the International Office (IO), Communication Advisors, other press officers in key hubs globally as well as field communications teams.
- Together with the other Senior Press Officer (Features), deputise for Head of Media on rotation.
- While there is a team dealing with proactive media, during busy periods or high-profile emergencies, the focus for the whole team would be on reactive, under direction from the Head of Media.
- Support more junior members of the team – including line management of a Press Officer (News).
Please download the full job and person specification below for further details.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Demonstrable experience in press office work at a senior level, TV production or international journalism, including substantial understanding of, and contacts in, UK media.
- Experience in pitching stories and features to print, radio, TV, podcast and online at a senior level.
- Line-management experience.
- Good knowledge of world affairs and a demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues.
- Ability to cope with stress, competing priorities and short deadlines, retain good humour and make sound ethical and personal judgements in order to deal with ambiguities and conflict.
- Project management skills.
- Industry contacts essential
- Experience of international development/humanitarian relief preferable.
- Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.
Other information
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation by the closing date.
Please apply as soon as possible as MSF reserves the right to close the vacancy early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Recruitment timetable:
- Closing date: Rolling basis (The position will close once a suitable candidate has been appointed).
- Interviews: 19 January 2026 & Rolling basis
- Projected Start Date: ASAP
Accessibility
We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know by contacting recruitment.UK@london.msf.org.
Examples of adjustments we can make:
- offering you an alternative if you are unable to use our online application system
- providing necessary information, such as the job description or assessment materials, in an alternate format
- allowing you to have someone with you during an interview for example, a Sign Language interpreter.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organisation. MSF UK thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Please read our Equality & Diversity policy for more information.
MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community.
Safeguarding
MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation, for whatever reason and however brief. All posts are subject to safer recruitment process which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.
Our safeguarding commitment is underpinned by policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation. On joining MSF UK/IE you will be required to attend safeguarding training to ensure responsibility for and maintaining safe working practice and to safeguard our teams, beneficiaries, and communities.
Right to work in the UK
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Please click here to check whether you have the right to work in the UK. If you would like to discuss your right to work status further, please contact recruitment.UK@london.msf.org.
For questions, issues or further information, please contact Recruitment.UK@london.msf.org.
We look forward to receiving your application!