Senior Press Officer - News

Position

MSF UK is looking for an experienced communications professional to join our team as a Senior Press Officer. You’ll play a leading role in managing high-profile reactive media enquiries so we’re looking for someone with sound news judgement, people management skills and the ability to maintain resilience. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can think strategically, make confident decisions under pressure, and build strong relationships with journalists.

Hours: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week) Mon - Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London – hybrid, 2 days per week London Office (including Wednesdays)

Salary: £54,452.47 – £66,553.01 per annum | Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.

Job Purpose:

To 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 IO, Communication Advisors, other press officers in key hubs globally as well as field communications teams.

Together with the other Senior Press Officer, deputise for Head of Media on rotation.

Secure both proactive and reactive media coverage – reacting in a swift manner to incoming news requests and seeking out new opportunities for coverage. The majority of the time you will be handling reactive news enquiries, and identifying opportunities in the news cycle to pitch proactively. During emergencies, the focus would be on reactive.

Support more junior members of the team – including line management of a press officer.

You will be part of an on-call / out of hours rota, including evenings and weekends, for which you will accumulate TOIL.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in senior press office work, 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
• 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.
• Line management skills - desirable.
• 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.