advocacy

Working as Humanitarian Affairs Manager in the field

Working as a Humanitarian Affairs Manager with MSF is incredibly varied and rewarding. From building and supporting the implementation of advocacy strategies to writing reports on the exclusion of certain communities from medical care, you will help MSF influence others to improve the situation of our patients and the populations we support.

Responsibilities

  • Collect quantitative and qualitative data (analysis) to report on local and international contexts, with regards to medical-humanitarian issues, providing reliable information for further decision-making
  • Strategically advise MSF on tactics and positioning in situations where access to patients, community perceptions and medical-humanitarian principles are jeopardized
  • Lead on the definition and targeting of advocacy strategies on contextual issues faced by MSF patients and teams (violence, displacement and protection dynamics) as well as on the availability, access to and quality of medical-humanitarian assistance.
  • Support the implementation of advocacy activities to influence other actors’ practices, policies, and narratives to bring positive changes for the benefit of MSF patients and affected populations.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key interlocutors - authorities, local communities, UN agencies, other humanitarian actors, international stakeholders, etc. to promote MSF strategic priorities and immediate concerns
  • Organize discussions, trainings/workshops, briefings, etc. on humanitarian principles, monitoring/data collection, stakeholder mapping and current and future advocacy activities, etc., to embed advocacy practice within MSF while involving key staff.

Requirements

  • Higher education (master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences/international affairs, law, public health, gender/migration studies, environmental sciences or related subjects
  • At least two years professional experience working for a humanitarian organization or similar (e.g. local/international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, governments) in advocacy or related field (e.g. research, analysis), including one year of field experience in a humanitarian setting (conflict, disaster, resource-poor environment)
  • Strong advocacy profile (policy research/analysis/making, engagement/diplomacy, strategy formulation, experience of influencing policy/practice change, representation, public communication) with excellent research and analysis skills
  • Experience in data collection (e.g. qualitative research, protection monitoring, etc.)
  • First-rate writing skills
  • Good understanding of current humanitarian debates and of the dilemma/compromise nature of modern humanitarian interventions
  • Fluency in English or French with a mastering of both an advantage
  • Available for a minimum of 6-9 months

General skills

  • Commitment to MSF’s work and values
  • Willingness to work in all kinds of contexts worldwide, including unstable areas
  • Ability to thrive in a multicultural environment and demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, inclusive and non-discriminatory attitudes and behaviors 
  • Responsible behavior that contributes to the safety and integrity of everyone - prevent, report, and refuse any abusive behavior and/or behavior that goes against MSF's values
  • Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines and strong ability to multi-tasks
  • Proactive with a solution-oriented approach
  • Ability to train others

Assets

  • People management experience
  • Fluency in a second language is an asset (priority for French and English, and then Spanish, Arabic, etc.)
  • Medical or paramedical background
Diversité

Depending on our activities and needs, your responsibilities may be adapted and evolve. You will not face these challenges alone; other MSF team members (both international and locally hired staff) will support you.

We encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities and all other characteristics of diversity.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and criminal record checks.

Testimonies

Apply for this field position

You are already an employee of MSF Switzerland

Apply

You are not an MSF employee

What is your country of residence?

Your application will be processed by an MSF office close to your region. Please select your country of residence from the list below: