Content Specialist: Johanneburg, Gauteng

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Contract: 12 Months contract

Vacancy closing date: 03 June 2022

Position Mandate, Mission, and Nature of the Function

MSF Southern Africa’s Communication Department raises awareness about medical humanitarian issues, the organization’s values and work among the South African society in support of mobilizing influence and resources (advocacy, fundraising and recruitment). At the heart of all these actions lies the capacity to develop and disseminate relevant messages and content for audiences.

The mandate of the Content Specialist is to define, develop and improve the quality and quantity of MSF’s in-house content production to support institutional and operational (when required) communication needs. This includes research, conceptualization, copy writing, editing, design and video production projects.

The position requires an organized, dynamic and experienced storyteller with proven experience in production and coordination positions in the digital media environment, news/current affairs outlets or documentary projects.

Dimensions

The Content Specialist typically develops and delivers the following on an annual basis:

• 12 monthly email newsletters
• 2 x 16-page bi-annual donor magazines
• 1 annual tax certificate package
• 6-8 fieldworker articles
• 3 annual content packages in collaboration with Operational Comms

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1) Content production & coordination

• Innovates storytelling frameworks/formats to meet MSF SnA’s objectives for a range of internal and external audiences. Identifies and evaluates opportunities (storytelling and content distribution) by testing new ideas and approaches that employ creative thinking.
• Produces text and design content as part of the overall content production output of the Content/Positioning Team to support sustainability of content production pipeline across platforms.
• Project manages the production on costs and quality for in-house production as well as commissioning and liaising with creative agencies and freelancers (includes text, print, online and design while photographs, animations and short videos are the domain of the Digital Multimedia Producer)
• Provides strategic editorial advice and support to MSF Southern Africa departments to ensure their content is aligned to the Positioning & Branding frameworks (includes awareness-raising materials, online articles, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, fact sheets, brochures, reports, special projects, reports, briefing documents, press releases and social media content).
• Adapts and enhances existing MSF content aligned to MSF SnA Positioning framework, editorial choices, departmental strategies and insights on content repurposing best practice and analysis to ensure materials are relevant and effective for MSF SnA audiences.
• Maintains overview of material produced and provides regular reports to support the Comms Manager to assess outputs.
• Maintains a library of MSF-produced content that can be accessed and utilized by all MSF departments for various communications initiatives.

2)Fieldworker content contributions

• Develops and manages a programme to identify, develop and maintain a network of MSF fieldworker content producers on assignment, internationally or in the Southern Africa region. Establishes and builds relationships with fieldworkers essential to the success of the programme and undertakes training and coaching of fieldworkers.
• Manages the process of fieldworker briefings and debriefings aimed at generating unique content focused on African voices.
• Organizes and maintains records on the fieldworker content production workflows and outputs.

3)Skills transfer & training

• Under guidance of the Comms Manager Content/Positioning, the Content Specialist trains MSF colleagues (with different levels of experience) on the basics of content production (e.g. planning, production & approvals).
• Trains MSF fieldworkers to gather content and tell compelling stories directly from the field assignments as well as on social media policies.

4)Networking

• Liaises with MSF communications colleagues internationally responsible for creative content production and editing to facilitate creative exchanges that influence insight and practices.
• Collaborates with the Digital Multimedia Producer to forge strategic links and relationships with creative agencies and content producers around the Southern African region to supplement MSF SnA’s in-house production capacity.

5)Support services

• Upon request, delivers operational communication support on coordination, development and implementation of communication projects, in partnership with Field Communication Managers/Officers. This will include field visits when required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Technical

• Bachelor degree or higher in journalism, communication or marketing
• At least 5 years of professional experience – design, layout, video, editing and writing
• Experience in multimedia or online interactive content productions
• Portfolio of creative production or journalism work
• Proven experience in content development for social media and digital communication projects
• Good knowledge of international news/ current affairs and humanitarian issues
• A good judgment of ethical aspects of communication, journalism
• Proven writing abilities and capacity to adapt style to suit a range of audiences and content formats

Competencies

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Creativity and curiosity
• Demonstrable ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects within tight deadlines
• Demonstrable personal initiative and drive for innovation
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Analytical thinking
• Results and quality orientation
• Strong networking skills

KEY CHALLENGES

• The success of the Content Specialist is linked to assurance by the Comms Manager Content/Positioning that the Input Team resources are managed appropriately, especially on scoping and approval of work (planned and reactive requests). The Content Specialist will require the support of the Comms Manager to ensure guidance to other departments on their content needs are heeded.

KEY DECISIONS

• The Content Specialist is free to decide on and develop content within the approved quality frameworks (positioning framework & branding guidelines). Within this broad frame they are expected to act autonomously and independently with creative approaches and a commitment to consultation with the Comms Manager Content/Positioning on their expected outputs.

Should you not hear from the recruiter within 4 weeks, Please consider your application unsuccessful.