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Research Publication Intern

New York, New York, United States; Oakland, California, United States; Washington, District of Columbia, 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 part of our humanitarian mission, MSF conducts hundreds of research studies every year to help us improve patient care and advocate in an evidence-based way for better global health programs and policies. The MSF Science Portal is an online repository where you can find the outcomes of this work—in peer-reviewed medical publications, MSF Scientific Days conference presentations, and other content.

 

The Research Publication Intern will work with the Project Manager on keeping the platform updated regularly and implement data quality improvements across the front end of the website within the content management system, and to the database directly. Primary, regular duties include data entry, data cleaning/manipulation, and descriptive analysis. The intern will also support other discrete, long-term projects that can range from website development support, dashboard development, research ethics support, and communications planning and support. A diverse student profile will be considered, with an emphasis on coding abilities, experience with relational databases, and knowledge of medical sciences and scholarly publications.

 

This internship will start in June and last 3 months, with the possibility to extend the role for an additional 3 months. This role is part-time at 20 hours/week and is hybrid, with in-office attendance on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays in one of our offices (Oakland, NYC, or DC).

 

Department Accountabilities  

Support for MSF Medical and Humanitarian Programs  

The Programs Department supports the medical humanitarian programs of the MSF Movement in different ways. Each unit contributes to one or more of these responsibilities:  

  • Advocacy and Representation in support of Operations – develop strategies to influence public policy debates as well as private bilateral engagements on behalf of MSF. 
  • Research, Analysis, and Data Management in support of Operations – direct, perform, or facilitate research to address questions posed by Operations. Track and analyze specific policies and practices of governments, multilateral organizations, and others as requested by Operations.  
  • Monitoring of the Policy Environment - engages with Policy issues to ensure information sharing and action based on medical and operational needs of the movement.   
  • Stakeholder Engagement - identify, analyze, plan, and implement actions designed to engage with external and internal stakeholders to support medical humanitarian programming.  

Role Specific Outcomes 

Publications support

Create a weekly list of new MSF-authored publications based on reviewing PubMed, Google Scholar alerts, and other data sources, and add them to the Science Portal using its content management system 

Data cleaning support 

Support the Portal team in improving data cleanliness, requiring direct queries to the database and updating data using code to conduct bulk updates or manual cleaning 

Communications and website visibility 

Support communications and raising awareness of the Science Portal, including but not limited to implementing SEO improvements and monitoring website analytics 

 

Additional projects

  • The team has various needs across data analytics/visualization, data management, and leadership projects that the intern can work on, depending on their strengths and interests
  •  

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills

  • Ability to work independently with supportive supervision
  • Initiative and confidence to ask questions
  • Ability to seek out creative and alternative solutions to problems
  •  

Behavioral Competencies  

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

Being Resilient 

Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. 

Technical Competencies 

Plans and Aligns 

Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals. 

Tech Savvy 

Anticipates and adopts innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.  

Desired Qualifications & Experience 

    • Advanced undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate
    • A variety of backgrounds will be considered with database and coding experience as the most important qualification
    • Ability to identify and use appropriate data management and analytic software and languages, e.g., R, Python, etc
    • Experience using SQL and querying relational databases
    • Experience working with large data volumes, including collection, aggregation and manipulation
    • Understanding of data management and related policies and procedures
    • Interest in global health and in MSF’s mission
    • Experience with or keen interest in medical topics that MSF conducts research in
    • Experience with scientific/medical publications
    • Familiarity with scientific research review process (ERB, journal submission, etc) is preferred 

 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 

No travel required for this position

 

COMPENSATION

$18 per hour is the hourly rate

 

We do not accept phone calls or emails during the recruitment process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Our staff works a hybrid schedule with the ability to come into either the NYC office or regional hub (Washington, DC) a minimum of 2 times a week. The required days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from January to June and September to December. 

 

In office work attendance during July and August is optional.

 

Please note that neither relocation assistance nor visa sponsorship will be offered for this position

 

Type

HQ  

 

Pay Class 

Part-Time/Hourly 

 

Working Time (Hours Per Week)

20 (max)

 

 

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 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 recruitment@newyork.msf.org.

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

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