Role & Responsibilities
To provide effective and responsive administrative, communication and public relations support to the Medair Chief Executive Officer (CEO). To help draft and finalize professional internal and external executive level communications from the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Ensure robust and regular communication about the Medair Vision and Strategy. Helping write Medair stories and positions for external communication. Provide day to day administrative support to the CEO, with incoming communication, emails and responses. Providing secondary support to the rest of the ELT, the Executive Office and International Board of Trustees (IBOT). This includes communications for the Crisis Management Team.
Project Overview
Medair Global Support Office (GSO) provides operational guidance for country programmes, along with both technical and compassionate support for our relief workers. Within our headquarters and affiliate offices, we are also responsible for promoting the work of Medair to the world, to raise and manage the funds needed to run our life-saving and sustaining programmes and to recruit international and GSO staff. This role will form part of the Executive Office Team also working closely with the Executive Director and Team Assistant in providing support to the CEO and ELT in communication both internally and externally. It is also a role that will work closely with the Engagement Director. This role is involved in preparing internal communication strategies and materials for organisational change management initiatives in relation to the Medair corporate strategy.
Workplace & Working conditions
Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply. This is a GSO-based position in Lausanne, Switzerland. Travel of up to 4 weeks per year to Medair country programmes Travel pending successful completion of the ROC course At least 3 days a week physically in the office in Lausanne (Vaud)
Starting Date / Initial Contract Details
As soon as possible. Full-time open-ended contract.
Key Activity Areas
CEO and executive communications and administrative support 70%
- Assist the CEO in internal communications to Medair community of professionals, in country programs, at GSO and to affiliate offices.
- Ensure the planning and execution of a robust internal communication strategy of the Medair Vision and the Medair Strategy development process and implementation.
- Provide day to day administrative support to the CEO, with incoming communication, emails and responses.
- Taking minutes of meetings
- Drafting thankyou and condolence letters for external parties in the CEOs name
- Supporting presentation preparation
- Supporting CEO external communications
Public Relations Communication 20%
- In collaboration with Communications part of the Engagement Department:
- Draft, proofread and/or improve any CEO related communications, such as articles, blogs, stories of Medairโs work etc.
- Support the CEOโs social media (mainly LinkedIn) and public appearance related actions
- Assist the CEO to prepare for any video, public or other PR engagement, either in the field, meetings, conferences or other settings
- Liaise with external Communications Consultant for CEO publications and presentations.
- Occasionally support with writing for other ELT members or field colleagues.
- Build and maintain excellent relationships with relevant journalists where CEO is involved
- Identify CEO related โsubject matter expertsโ and pitch stories, subjects and interviews
- Act as first point of contact for all CEO media enquiries (spokesperson)
- Support in creation of key messages, press releases, press kits and CEO specific content
- Support monitoring of media coverage
- Coordinate CEO media and communications field trips
- Travel with the CEO and donors when appropriate to ensure communications coverage
GERT Commโs coverage 5%
- Backup to deploy to emergency contexts with the Global Emergency Response Team to ensure proper communications coverage as needed.
CMT Commโs coverage 5%
- Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
- Work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
- Encouraged to join and contribute to Medairโs international prayer network.
Team Spiritual Life
- Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
- Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
- Encouraged to join and contribute to Medairโs international prayer network.
This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.
Qualifications
- A graduate degree that has facilitated excellent written English communication and planning skills.
- A degree in media, journalism, communications or equivalent is an asset
- A major or degree in NGO management is an asset
- English (excellent spoken and written) and French level C1
- German is a plus
Experience
- Minimum 3-5yearsโ experience in communications and or as an executive office support
- Experience in dealing with media and journalists
- Microsoft Office
- LinkedIn management experience
- Excellent communication, language and organisational skills
- Proven copywriting skills
- A team player with strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to lead/take decisions
- Ability to influence within and across teams
- Ability to plan ahead, execute, monitor and review objectives
- Good time-management skills, able to define, focus and deliver on target
- Agile, quick to adjust to changes in and outside the organization