Digital Specialist

BACKGROUND AND POSITION MANDATE

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa’s Communication Department is mandated to raise awareness about medical humanitarian issues, MSF’s values and international work among the South African society to support mobilizing influence and resources (advocacy, fundraising and recruitment). The Department pursues this objective by consistently positioning our domestic content production work and audience outreach activities, integrating news media and digital channels.

The Outreach Team is mandated to develop essential engagements supported by content selection/curation and audience channel strategies in line with agreed guiding frameworks under the leadership of the Communication Manager: digital and media relations.

The Digital Coordinator facilitates the integration of a range of digital activities between Comms and Fundraising departments to ensure coherence and efficiency in the collective outputs. The Comms Manager and Acquisition Manager are responsible for developing a strategic framework outlining the Digital Coordinator’s expected results by delivering data-driven recommendations to the digital teams to inform strategies and tactics while maintaining quality standards for MSF Southern Africa’s online presence.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Data Analysis

• Defines, develops and maintains a shared digital measurement dashboard of performance benchmarks for MSF Southern Africa to track trends and to help the departments consolidate and integrate data and insights. The position analyses a range of digital data, monitors the impacts and quality of Communication, Fundraising and field HR departments’ digital activities, providing regular reports (monthly). S/he advises on improvements to tracking tools, methods, and workflows and coordinates tracking ambitions across digital units.
• Based on the monitoring and analysis, the position provides data-driven recommendations to inform strategy development and tactical improvements for Comms and Fundraising digital activities. Organises data-sharing sessions with the digital teams regularly (quarterly).

Search Engine Optimisation – www.msf.org.za

• Develops and implements a Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategy in collaboration with the Comms Manager and Acquisition Manager. The position is then responsible for guiding the digital team on best practices to pursue the strategy and its goals.
• Following monthly tests and collaborations with the digital teams and the external SEO service provider, improve website performance through on-page optimisations.
• Advises on off-page promotion strategy based on SEO strategy, data reports/insights, and implementation plan; assigns responsibilities and tasks to the relevant digital team members.
• Compiles and shares monthly SEO reports with the relevant parties (including the digital team), tracking progress on pre-defined KPIs, tactics and activities undertaken and their impact based on specific recommendations.
• Assigns digital marketing agency to conduct SEO and website technical audits and ensures their recommendations are implemented by the contracted website services provider and, where applicable, the digital teams.

Quality Assurance and Improvement

• Maintains an effective, quality online presence across all MSF Southern Africa channels by advising digital teams on industry best practices and integration of digital team strategies.
• Ensure quality assurance across all web pages by uploading and editing content compliant with MSF editorial guidelines, the positioning framework and SEO best practices.
• Performs monthly reviews of key MSF web pages for optimisation and improvement opportunities. This includes monitoring tracking, pixels, tags, and/or events to ensure the proper firing of key tracking tools.

Networking & Support

• Liaises with MSF digital colleagues internationally to create and maintain meaningful exchanges that influence insight and practices and share insights with MSF Southern Africa digital teams.
• When required, provides ad hoc digital support to other MSF Southern African departments based on approved requests.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Graduate in Communications, Marketing, New Media, Public Relations or related field.
• 3- 5 years of professional experience in digital media communications (both at a strategical and practical level), and digital marketing.
• Excellent technical knowledge of social media metrics and analytics tools – very important that you can present this and create actions from it.
• Effective analytical abilities to successfully evaluate digital channels data (including website, paid and organic media, and e-newsletter) and provide recommendations.
• Sound knowledge of Drupal and other content management systems.
• Good understanding of UX principles and Search Engine Optimisation.
• Experience in production, editing and coordination of web-based content.
• Substantial experience in managing digital channels.

Competencies

• Interest in humanitarian work and commitment to MSF principles.
• Core competencies: Planning and Organising; Teamwork and Cooperation; Results & Quality Orientation; Analytical Thinking, Initiative & innovation
• Personal attributes: A great team player with strong networking skills. Demonstratable ability to work under pressure
• Acts in ways that promote an environment of biculturalism, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.