Back to jobs
New

Public Engagement Intern

New York, New York, United States

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 the 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  

THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different. 

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 

Build 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 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. 

Organizational Insight 

Applying knowledge of MSF-USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals. 

Supervisory Responsibility 

The intern has 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 

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 also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

 

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) - United States’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.