Humanitarian Affairs Manager

Accountabilities

CORE TASKS

• Defining, implementing and where relevant coordinating all MSF humanitarian affairs and advocacy activities for the country team, including identifying the humanitarian issues of concern to MSF, drafting advocacy strategies addressing the medical and humanitarian priorities, and ensuring that advocacy components are included in project and country operational strategies.
• Supervise the quality of field-level data collection (under MSF ethical guidelines) for humanitarian affairs and advocacy purpose.
• Analysing and reporting on key humanitarian issues and trends ; provide regular updates on humanitarian aid system dynamics (NGO/Donor planning, Red Cross movement activities and positioning) to increase the leverage and the impact of MSF advocacy in line with operational plans, regular activities and medical-humanitarian advocacy objectives.
• Draft ad hoc talking points and internal/external reports in relation to main medical-humanitarian concerns while strengthening the integration of humanitarian affairs (analysis, critical reflection, contextual understanding) and operational communications.
• Advises CMT and Head of Mission/Medical Coordinators on perception related to positioning and operational strategy and in collaboration with the FCM supports insurance of good acceptance for MSF projects/presence.
• Drafts regular situation reports for country team/HQ as well as reports for external use in line with country advocacy strategy.
• If relevant, manages, supervises and develops staff under his/ her direct responsibility.
• Supports in close coordination with the Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator/Operations staff and HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training, performance management, development and internal communication), of the appropriate staff to ensure both the sizing and amount of necessary knowledge.

DATA COLLECTION - ANALYSIS

• Design and support the implementation of data collection systems with regards to the country context (focus on national level with potential regional/global repercussions, and local developments in project locations), and medical-humanitarian issues, in order to provide reliable information for operational and strategic decision-making.
• Provide data and discourse analysis in support of the Head of Mission to inform MSF positioning in-country (project-level and at national level), particularly in terms of political / operational environment (regulation frameworks, donor/aid agreements, trade and economic developments).
• Propose improvements in the methodologies and tools used, and provide trainings to in country teams as required
• Undertake actor mapping and stakeholders’ analysis on behalf of projects and, while providing guidance / support to PCs for the management of relations with local authorities, and strategic advice to Head of Mission / Medical Co for national-level organizational positioning

REPRESENTATION - COMMUNICATION

• Support networking needs by participating in representation duties in non-project locations (on delegation from the Head of Mission), including with domestic civil society, professional groups (doc-tors’/nurses’ associations), and local academics/universities.
• Link with other MSF sections in-country to share analysis, define common positions and develop inter-OC advocacy initiatives.
• On request/project basis, interact with the international MSF advocacy network (reflection centres, the HRT network, the MSF Access Campaign, etc.) to provide updated contextualized medical-humanitarian content and support on defining tailored advocacy strategies and messages.
• Lead discussions, trainings, briefings, etc. on the country’s medical-humanitarian context, MSF principles, international humanitarian law, medical ethics, and advocacy activities/strategies to raise awareness of MSF national and expatriate staff on these topics.

ON REQUEST

• Undertake in country assessments (in relation to data gathering/context analysis or exploratory assessments) and other work-related traveling as required.
• Draft Terms of Reference, supervise, and evaluate other humanitarian affairs staff deployed to the country (Humanitarian Affairs Officers).

Requirements

Education

• Essential degree (anthropology/social/political sciences, law, gender studies, protection) with first-rate writing skills and excellent research / analytical skills - Campaigning organizational experience an asset.
• Preferred Master level in one of the following fields: anthropology/social/political sciences, law, gender studies, protection.
• Training in writing and research in the field of humanitarian affair.

Experience

• Essential previous working experience of at least 3 to 5 years in humanitarian affairs, research, analysis or advocacy.
• Essential experience with MSF or other NGOs.
• Essential working experience in developing countries.
• Good understanding of current humanitarian debates and of the dilemma/compromise nature of modern humanitarian interventions.
• Strong advocacy skills (research/analysis/policy development, lobbying/diplomacy, strategy formulation, experience in arguing to change policies/practices, representation, public communication).
• Experience in data collection (e.g. qualitative research, human rights monitoring, refugee case study, etc.).
• Good understanding of current humanitarian debates and the nature of dilemmas or trade-offs in humanitarian interventions

Languages

• Essential English and / or French. Bilinguals (English and French) are highly desired.
• Proficiency in other languages (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese) is considered a plus.

Knowledge

• Essential computer literacy (database design/analysis, MS package, and internet-based research).

General Skills

• Commitment to MSF's social mission and values.
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Good team spirit.
• Willingness to work in any type of context, including unstable areas.
• Ability to thrive in a multicultural environment and demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, inclusive and non-discriminatory behaviors and attitudes
• Flexibility and resistance to stress.
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Ability and experience in training others, coaching and supervising

Competencies

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Analytical Thinking
• Strategic Vision
• Planning and Organising
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Leadership
• People Management and Development
• Networking and Building Relationship