PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OFFICER (BASED IN LISBON)

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization, that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. 
MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such, MSF is by choice an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF. 

The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 24 sections and offices worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. MSF Portugal is one of the MSF offices spread across Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe, bringing together expertise, financial resources and personnel for field projects.

JOB GENERAL OBJECTIVE

We are looking for a dynamic and innovative Public Engagement Officer to plan and execute MSF Portugal public engagement activities and campaigns, events and projects, in order to ensure that the organisation’s identity, values and experiences are successfully communicated to the Portuguese civil society, in line with MSF’s strategic ambitions. 

Reporting to the Head of Communications of MSF Portugal, this position is responsible for planning and executing strategies to amplify and consolidate MSF’s visibility on Portuguese civil society, by engaging, mobilizing and encouraging public participation in support of the social mission of MSF, through events, campaigns off and online, and strategic collaborations, as well as implementing a proximity dialogue with priority audiences.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES, FUNCTIONS AND TASKS

Define and implement strategies of public engagement in Portugal with the general public and target audiences, and plan and implement events and visibility campaigns and projects to raise and expand awareness and visibility of humanitarian crises and MSF’s work on Portuguese civil society.

Ensure that all public engagement activities are organized according to MSF’s strategy for enhanced engagement with the public and target segments of the Portuguese society, and, within the specified budget, contribute to identify needs, ensuring financial balance and enabling the effective delivery of planned activities while optimizing available resources.

Liaise and build strong networks with civil society organizations, other NGO, foundations, cultural and social associations and communities, academia, government bodies, think tanks, etc.

Events and campaigns planning, coordination and implementation

• Works closely with the Head of Communications and within the Communications Unit of MSF Portugal in the planning of events, including cost-allocation and resources throughout the year. 
  Leads in events organization and execution of engagement campaigns and projects according to MSF Portugal communications strategy, which includes: drafting of proposals and/or activity reports; scouting for event venues and partners; setting event promotion strategies; managing events; planning and coordinating logistical aspects; liaising and managing with partners and suppliers for the realization and execution of public engagement activities: exhibitions, events, street actions.
• Identifies opportunities for events that support strategic objectives of recruitment and awareness raising.
• Coordinates the participation of MSF field workers and partners in public engagement activities.
• Leads necessary evaluation of public engagement events and projects in consultation with relevant parties and report on performance and KPI. 

Content and projects

• Creates content, key messages and design and works closely with design agencies and/or within the Communications Unit for the visuals and marketing materials.
• Leads on public engagement projects and engages on transversal campaigns of the Communications Unit.
• Provides trends and developments in engagement content to identify new opportunities on how to reach new audiences to capture, connect and interact with them.
• Provides knowledge of the current panorama of influencers, activists and personalities/celebrities who can participate in MSF Portugal public engagement actions and who are in line with the relevant topics for the organization,

Digital engagement

• Monitors and engages with audiences and communities on MSF Portugal social media accounts.
• Leads the dissemination of pre and post event communication to achieve engagement and loyalty among attendees.
• Creates attendee satisfaction surveys sent post event.

General management

• Contributes to the definition, planning and budgeting of the Communications Unit, with a special focus on the events and campaigns aimed at strengthening engagement with civil society as well as raising awareness, informing, and gaining support for MSF strategic objectives in Portugal. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Degree in Communication Sciences (Journalism, Communication, Advertising and/or Public Relations) or Social Sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology and/or Politics) and a minimum of two years of work experience in the relevant areas/sectors.
• Experience in managing offline and online events, and in campaigns development, activism actions, public engagement strategies, project management and/or event organization.
• Ability to manage projects with multiple internal and external partners.
• Good networking skills and a confidence to communicate with a diverse range of people.
• Exceptional planning and organisational skills with experience of managing multiple tasks and prioritising effectively.
• Excellent Portuguese writing and speaking skills.
• Proficiency in English (essential) and Spanish (desirable).
• Clear sense of commitment to MSF values, principles and objectives.
• Previous experience in the humanitarian sector is a strong asset.
• Experience in international organizations/entities.
• Experience in MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Preferably with experience in photo and video editing.
• Strong interest in world affairs.

CONDITIONS

• Position based in Lisbon, Portugal.
• Contract: Permanent Position (Candidates must meet legal conditions to be immediately hired in Portugal).
• Full time job. 40 hours per week (hybrid telework policy)
• Annual gross salary: (Level 8) 29,832.50 € annual/gross + secondary benefits based on MSF Portugal Reward Policy.
• Starting: June 2026. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.
• Closing date: 24th May 2026, 23:59 CET (Central European Time). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

MSF is a people-focused humanitarian organization that offers a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. We believe this approach enhances our work and we are committed to equity in employment. We embrace diverse backgrounds of people working together to exhibit their passion in action for the social mission of MSF. 

MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks. 

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and all information collected has the sole purpose of recruiting for the position described and is treated with confidentiality and data protection, in accordance with European standards and Portuguese legislation.