Public Engagement Intern

Msfcareers; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 22,041 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

MSF USA in New York invites applications for a Public Engagement Intern within the Communications team. You will support live events, external communications products, and community engagement efforts across the United States, gaining hands-on experience in humanitarian messaging.

The internship offers exposure to event planning, content creation, and DEI initiatives, with a hands-on, collaborative environment and a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Recent graduates or students in communications, event management, or related disciplines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for internal and external audiences.
• Experience with event planning/management and community engagement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support and implement communications plans for live events and activities.
• Provide logistical, administrative, and community engagement support to the Public Engagement unit.
• Contribute to external communications content across website, social media, and live events.

Skills

Event planning

Communication skills

Community engagement

Education

Recent graduates or students in communications or related fields

Tools

Canva

Microsoft Office

Social media management

Job description

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

As a member of the Public Engagement team, the intern supports and implements communications plans to produce a dynamic program of live events and activities to reach key audiences, including humanitarian, medical, and academic communities; youth audiences; MSF supporters; and the general public. This is a hands‑on position, offering the opportunity to become familiar with MSF USA’s communications principles and initiatives. The ideal candidate will contribute creatively to new and ongoing projects, while providing logistical, administrative, and community engagement support to the Public Engagement unit and larger Communications team.

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: Produce and support 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.

ROLES SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

• External Communications: Processes speaker and resource requests, and corresponds with key student, supporter, and donor audiences for virtual and in‑person events across the United States.
• Public Engagement & Event Execution: Completes administrative and logistical support for public events as assigned and with minimal supervision.
• Content Creation: Contributes to the creation of content for live events and other public engagement activities; supports production of public engagement toolkits and educational resources for key audiences.

COMPLEXITY AND PROBLEM‑SOLVING SKILLS

• Ability to work independently and with limited supervision.
• Initiative and confidence to ask questions in a fast‑paced work environment.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

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.

Strategic Mindset: Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.

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.

Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

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.

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.

Values Differences: 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.

Builds Effective Teams: Builds strong‑identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

Manages Conflict: Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

Builds Networks: Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.

Drives Vision and Purpose: Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

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.

Being Resilient: Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

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 across situations to support communication strategies.

Organizational Insight: Applying knowledge of MSF‑USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No supervisory responsibility.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Recent graduates or students currently enrolled in programs related to communications, event management, global studies, or a related discipline are preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal and external correspondence.
• Working knowledge of Canva, Microsoft Office products, and social media platform administration.
• Keen attention to detail and ability to stay on task with minimal supervision in a hybrid work environment.
• Demonstrated experience with event planning/management and community engagement preferred.
• A genuine commitment to MSF's humanitarian principles and strong interest in humanitarian aid, communications, event planning, exhibitions, marketing, or public and/or public education.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

No travel is required for this position.

COMPENSATION

$18/hour

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 seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.

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 [e-mail].

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

Safeguarding Statement

All Employees and Representatives of MSF USA have a duty to treat the individuals, families, and communities with whom we interact and serve with dignity and respect, and to ensure their safety and protection. We are committed to fostering a workplace and organizational culture that is safe, inclusive, and free from harassment, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. This commitment is supported by policies and procedures that promote an environment where misconduct and abuse are not tolerated.

Employment may be contingent upon satisfactory reference checks and/or background screening appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.