Philanthropic Communications Lead

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

Under the Senior Director's guidance, the Philanthropic Communications Lead will advance Doctors Without Borders' mission by crafting clear, persuasive communications that articulate the organization’s mission, programs, expected outcomes, impacts, and financial needs while aligning with donor objectives. This role will present these elements through compelling narratives that engage current and prospective donors and stakeholders, ensuring written materials reflect our initiatives and impact and align with donor interests.

As a key Development team member, the Lead will partner with the Principal and Major Gifts team to conceptualize proposals, sometimes collaborating with the Program department. The role requires synthesizing complex information to create clear reports, proposals, letters, and narratives for donor cultivation and stewardship.

The Lead will revise and edit drafts, maintain quality standards, and adhere to professional writing norms, focusing on readability, consistency, and persuasiveness. They will keep detailed records of source materials and stay updated on MSF communications and program changes to support enhancing donor reports and proposals.

Department Accountabilities

Key Account Management

Take overall responsibility for designing, developing and delivering the organization's account management strategy. May also personally manage a few relationships with the most strategic donors.

Donor Development

Pursue strategic opportunities in coherence with MSF-USA s strategy, that create long-term value for the movement by cultivating partnerships or identifying and develop new geographies, markets or donors for its mission.

Donor Relationship Development

Build trust and loyalty with potential donors. At the simplest level, update donors on activities. At a more complex level, build long-term relationships with donors, especially large corporations or foundations.

Brand Positioning

Develop brand positioning based on the brand strategy and implement brand plans.

Roles Specific Outcomes

Resource Development

Support the creation of a suite of formats and templates that offer some measure of self-sufficiency to the donor-facing members of the Principal and Major Gifts team.

Project Management

Manage a portfolio of projects while reporting to senior colleagues.

Stakeholder Management

Plan and deliver stakeholder engagement activities to develop effective working relationships with leadership, gift officers, and the Stewardship team within Principal and Major Gifts, and to ensure that stakeholder needs and concerns are identified and met.

Content Creation

Write and edit powerful and compelling content with messaging tailored by current and prospective donor interests while remaining in line with MSF’s priorities, voice and branding guidelines.

These core accountabilities should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other functions as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

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

People Focus

Effectively builds strong stakeholder relationships, both inside and outside the organization, while delivering stakeholder-centric solutions

Manages Complexity

Looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implication of different options

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.

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.

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. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

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. .

Manages Ambiguity

Operates effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

Situational Adaptability

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Technical Competencies

Plans and Aligns

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF USA goals.

Financial Acumen

Demonstrates understanding of budgets and financial principles. Makes informed decisions that responsibly manage MSF USA’s financial resources.

Tech Savvy

Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.

Data Collection and Analysis

Collects, interprets, and applies relevant operational or programmatic data to inform strategic decisions.

Project Management Skills

Plans and manages projects or major initiatives that advance department or cross-departmental objectives, ensuring quality outcomes on time and within budget.

Presentation and Written Communication Skills

Develops compelling presentations and written communications tailored to diverse audiences, delivering clear, persuasive, and impactful messages.

Supervisory Responsibility

No supervisory responsibilities at this time.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

At a minimum, the Job Holder should possess:

· 5 years of philanthropic writing experience, successfully partnering with gift officers to secure significant funding from diverse donors. 7 years of experience is preferred

Ability to analyze complex material to develop compelling reports and proposals and convey informed messages to donors.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, organization, and attention to detail.

Experience writing for individual high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and corporate foundations.

Capacity to write efficiently and expeditiously, as needed.

Experience collaborating with designers to create appealing donor-facing materials.

Knowledge of AI and tools to enhance productivity.

Comfort with content translated from French, Spanish, or other languages preferred, but fluency is not required.

Familiarity with donor management systems (Salesforce preferred) and collaborative tools like Asana; experience with data inputs and creative teams is a plus.

Strong time management skills with a track record of meeting deadlines.

Attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Media, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Travel Requirements

Must be willing to travel for work as needed.

Compensation

$88,822 to $133,233; In alignment with MSF USA’s compensation framework, new hires are generally offered between the minimum and midpoint of the range based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

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 .

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