MSF: Communications Internship Programme 2024 / 2025

The Digital Communications Intern will provide administrative, writing, editing, graphic design, reporting and research support to the Communications team of the MSF South Africa. He/she reports to the Social Media Officer.

She/he will develop skills and knowledge in the following area:

• Time management skills.
• Website management skills.
• Community Management skills.
• Social Media Monitoring and Reporting.
• Search Engine Optimisation Skills.
• Understand how content works on digital platforms.
• Analytical skills.
• Adobe Creative Suite Skills.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Update content on the MSF Southern Africa website.
• Edit identified articles to ensure they are correctly tagged, and quality images are used.
• Ensure relevant content is hyperlinked to improve Google search ranking and SEO.
• Maintain a consistent layout for all articles.
• Optimise content on the website for improved user experience.
• Utilise SEO tools and content management systems, particularly Yoast, for content optimisation.
• Apply SEO best practices and keyword optimisation techniques to all web content.
• Write and edit content with a focus on readability and engagement.
• Incorporate multimedia elements effectively into written content.
• Implement linking strategies to enhance site authority and user experience.
• Work with the Social Media Officer to help build and manage MSF South Africa’s online communities.
• Monitor and respond to social media trends observed in a proactive fashion.
• Measure and report social media activities.
• Develop content for social media channels: Research what works, testing different copy options.
• Responding to comments and messages on MSF social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• Flagging disturbing or urgent comments and bring them to the attention of the social media manager to plan a response.
• Working with Social Media Officer to regularly update the community management strategy.
• Categorise queries and responses.

Requirements:

• Studies in: Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or similar field.
• Good working knowledge of social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Experience in managing social media accounts and interest in developing online communication & marketing tactics.
• A strong interest in humanitarian issues.
• Creative and flexible approach to work, and ability to work well within a team.
• Proficiency in English, written and orally.
• Experience balancing short-term and long-term responsibilities and working quickly when necessary and working in high-pressure and/or breaking-news situations.
• A desire to work collaboratively on projects and teach others what you know.

Skills and Competencies:

• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team and interdepartmentally.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to carry out different tasks simultaneously and to prioritise time and resources accordingly whilst maintaining an overview of all activity.
• Determined, committed and desire to learn.
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust, and Empowerment.
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioural Commitments.