Job Brief

In this position you will be promoting strategic humanitarian responses guided by a critical understanding of MSF’s positioning within the given context.

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.
We provide emergency medical assistance during armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases and assist those who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based on need and when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization that remains impartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes the difference between life and death.
People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen , we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they work together.
The office of MSF-Netherland located in Amsterdam hosts more than 450 employees, offering direct support to MSF-OCA operations.

The Department comprises Humanitarian Affairs Advisors in Amsterdam, Berlin, Nairobi and some other locations who work closely with MSF OCA country Operations and regularly collaborate with their colleagues in the Operational Communications Team, as well as with colleagues working with MSF across the globe.
The Humanitarian Affairs & Operational Communications Team (OSCAR) of MSF OCA is looking for a:

Humanitarian Affairs Advisor (100%)
Amsterdam Based Preferred

The work of the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor will include both direct support to country teams and thematic work, geared towards improvement in quality of MSF operations and témoignage. The portfolio of countries to cover by advisors is likely to change over time, depending on agreed priorities and on the needs of the department itself.

Main responsibilities
In this position you will be promoting strategic humanitarian responses guided by a critical understanding of MSF’s positioning within the given context. Developing and supporting operations with implementing the witnessing, protection and advocacy components of MSF’s work is what you will be working on. Along the way you will come across key humanitarian challenges that MSF is facing:
The levels of need for medical humanitarian assistance remain vast in many regions of the world, yet it is increasingly challenging to fulfil MSF’s social mission. Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and the Central African Republic are a few of the places where violence, abuse and neglect lead to human crises. Entire populations are threatened by outbreaks of disease, responses to which continue to be inadequate.
Factors such as global pandemics, urbanization and global migration may bring new types of health needs. At the same time, humanitarian responses must navigate an ever-shifting political landscape. Increasing restrictions to operations set by host states, instrumentalization, criminalisation and delegitimization of humanitarian action and the communities it seeks to support; and the politicisation, militarisation, privatisation and nationalisation of humanitarian assistance all affect the way humanitarian agencies operate and impact on their ability to respond.

Responsibilities and activities
Direct country support

• Support, coaching and functional (technical) management of Humanitarian Affairs staff in country, supporting and orienting their work;

• Providing country operations with political and contextual analysis on factors shaping the humanitarian landscape and issues MSF wants to leverage or influence;

• Working with operational teams in identifying and documenting protection issues affecting the populations we serve, and defining MSF’s strategies to address them;

• Driving consistent implementation of advocacy strategies;

• Acting as a ‘sparring partner’ to the Heads of Mission and Operational Managers on protection issues, humanitarian principles and organizational positioning;

• Advising country teams on the process of the gathering, analysis and synthesis of information/data;

• Drafting of position papers, briefing documents, and public reports.

Thematic work

• Identifying and developing key humanitarian themes for MSF, conducting research, writing papers, organising internal and external discussions;

• Sharing MSF thinking and analysis through attending debates, workshops and conferences, writing articles and making presentations;

• Developing and maintaining relevant networks, bringing cutting edge thinking into the organisation.

Training

• The Humanitarian Affairs Advisor is also responsible for developing and delivering training modules for country teams and headquarters staff on humanitarian affairs, aimed at strengthening MSF’s humanitarian work.

This position will be based in Amsterdam, ideally, and there is the expectation of travel to countries of operations of up to 30% of the time.

Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone with:

• Substantial experience (7+ years) in the field of humanitarian action, protection or human rights; at least 3-5 years in country experience in the types of contexts where MSF is active

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of recent developments in the field of humanitarian action, migration, protection and international relations;

• Academic background in areas relevant to MSF’s work, such as international relations, international human rights & humanitarian law and social sciences;

• Strong analytical and advisory skills and the ability to translate complex analysis into concise, clear, and actionable conclusions and recommendations;

• Ability to regularly travel to humanitarian contexts for periods of up to 4 weeks;

• Proven excellence in written English and a track record writing reports, position papers or briefing notes; excellence in written French an advantage.

• Excellent verbal communication and training skills;

• Fluency in English required; and fluency or working knowledge of French is a strong advantage; working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage;

• Regional expertise and/or understanding of geo-political factors influencing contexts where MSF is operational will be considered assets, as will an understanding of public health issues.

Who is:

• Outgoing, persuasive, persistent, good team-player, ability to organize and drive initiatives involving different stakeholders (public health advisors, operations, communications advisors, etc.);

• An independent self-starter.

Who has:

• Sense of humour, flexible, ability to work independently and maturity to cope with setbacks;

• Affinity with the principles and objectives of MSF’s work.

Competencies

• Strategic vision/thinking;

• Analytical thinking/Results and Quality orientation;

• Coaching/Training/Advising;

• Networking and relationship building;

• Flexible behaviour;

• Commitment to MSF principles.

We offer
When based in The Netherlands:

• An employment contract for one year with the option for renewal for 40 hours a week (100%) based on satisfactory performance;

• A gross monthly salary between €4,665 and €6,422 a month depending on relevant work experience, based on a fulltime appointment;

• A stimulating, professional working environment in an international organisation.

Other benefits include:

• 30 days off (based on a full-time employment)
• A premium free pension where MSF covers 100% of the monthly pension contribution
• 8% holiday allowance, paid out with the salary in May
• Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & work from home allowance
• L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses
• An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world representing various cultures and background

If the selected candidate is outside of The Netherlands, then different conditions will apply (local contract and salary grid, amongst others) .

Application
If you recognise yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via our website and upload in one combined document:
1. Letter of motivation and updated Curriculum Vitae in English;
2. One sample of writing written exclusively by you (public report, published article, or similar).


The closing date for applications is September 13th, 2024, 23.59 CET.
Selection will be by means one or two interviewing rounds.


Information
For more information about the recruitment procedure, please contact Emma Register, via emma.register@amsterdam.msf.org
For more information about the position, please contact Louise Roland, via louise.roland-gosselin@nairobi.msf.org

***No Agencies Please***