Humanitarian Affairs Advisor at Médecins Sans Frontières 210 views1 applications

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ADVISOR, Operational Cell, Nairobi, Kenya

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, sex, religion, creed or political affiliation.

The operations of the MSF movement are delivered by five operational centres. MSF Operational Centre Barcelona-Athens (OCBA) is one of those centres. In turn, MSF OCBA field operations are guided and supported by five Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments such as medical, logistics, HR and finance supporting operations.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND JOB ENVIROMENT

As highlighted in MSF OCBA’s strategic Plan for 2014-2017, together with effective medical action, we aim to maximise our transformation potential (the capacity to change, or contribute to bringing about changes that improve the medical status and the humanitarian condition of the populations we work with/for) through complementary engagement and advocacy strategies. Our ambitions range from bringing other agencies to a specific operational context/issue, to contributing to changes at an international policy level, and they will all constitute an intrinsic building block of our medical-humanitarian operations in the field.
The HAA is a full member of the Operational Cell and as such s/he has direct operational accountability and output. S/he works closely with the head of the Operational Cell (RECO), the Medical Adviser (TESACO) and the Communications Advisor. S/he also belongs to the Humanitarian Affairs Team (HAT) which is a more loosely organised platform coordinated by the Humanitarian Affairs Senior Adviser to the Director General (HASA-DG), based in Barcelona. The HAA reports hierarchically to the Head of the RECO and functionally to the HASA-DG. The Operational Cell manages MSF OCBA’s missions in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan and is based in the MSF Nairobi Unit in Kenya.
The work of the HAA involves guiding and supporting MSF operational managers (particularly Heads of Mission and RECO) in context and humanitarian analysis; networking; sparring and the development of advocacy strategies, from field-level negotiations through to international influencing at the highest levels. The HAA also ensures a strong link between the Cell’s operations and the thematic analytical and reflection activities of HASA-DG and HAT colleagues in Barcelona and internationally. The position requires frequent travel to the field (up to 40 per cent of the time).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensure the delivery of OCBA’s humanitarian affairs ambitions for the Operational Cell

1.1 Advocacy: The HAA will facilitate the development and ensure the realisation of ambitious, yet achievable mission-based advocacy strategies, drawing on MSF medical data and insights from staff presence in the field. The HAA is also the functional manager of the Advocacy Manager/Humanitarian Affairs Officer based in Juba, South Sudan.

1.2 Context and humanitarian analysis: With the RECO and Heads of Mission, the HAA will contribute to the co-creation of timely content and humanitarian analysis, from local-level conflict dynamics or drought situations to changes in the national and international political climates affecting MSF operations in-country. In the event of critical incidents affecting MSF operations, the HAA will also be a key referent for the development of MSF internal investigations/reviews.

1.3 Networking: The HAA will actively support both the missions and the Cell at Nairobi-level in a systematic approach to networking, building a network of key contacts including government and Opposition actors, donors/embassies, UN agencies, the ICRC and international NGOs and regional organisations. The HAA will also support the Heads of Mission in their engagement in the Humanitarian Country Team.

Sparring: The HAA will become a natural partner for the operational line management (RECO, Heads of Mission and Field Coordinators) for exchange of ideas, critical thinking and innovation on issues from operational vision and strategy to acceptance and perception.
1.4 Field visits: The HAA will undertake regular field visits, approximately two per year to each mission, with a clear TOR agreed with the Head of Mission in advance.

1. Perform as a key acting member of the HAT

2.1 Emergency Gap: The HAA will provide analytical support to the MSF OCBA Emergency Gap project, including through the provision of evidence from Cell portfolio countries and review of papers and/or advising on engagement and advocacy plans

2.2 HAT promotion: The HAA will promote the work of the HAT within the Cell and missions, including facilitation of the delivery of internal investigations/reviews and visits for thematic analysis and reflection studies, and externally, facilitating external engagement on priority issues, working closely with the Head of the Nairobi Unit

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education, skills and experience
Essential
• Social Sciences profile, with an international component and/or expertise, including: (International) Political Science, International Law, Development’ Studies, Anthropology or similar
• Previous experience in humanitarian advocacy and/or humanitarian affairs, whether in MSF or externally
• Knowledge of the practical workings of the humanitarian and wider aid system in protracted conflict and recurrent crises (including UN coordination structures, international NGOs, integrated peacekeeping missions, donors and the role of host governments)
• Ability to analyse complex operational environments and synthesise the core elements into conclusions and recommendations for MSF operations and advocacy
• Outstanding analytical and advisory skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent MSF in high-level external meetings
• Ability to understand medical data and epidemiological analysis Proven excellence in written English, with a track record of published reports and position papers

Desirable

• Previous operational management experience, whether in MSF (Field Coordinator or higher) or externally, is desirable
  • Specific training in the humanitarian sector at higher academic level (Master’s degree)
  • Advocacy and/or humanitarian affairs training, whether MSF or external
  • Knowledge of protection issues in armed conflict, including those relating to International Humanitarian Law and the human rights of internally displaced persons
  • Experience in line management, including remote support, coaching and professional development
  • Arabic language skills

Competences
• Commitment to MSF’s principles
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Behavioural flexibility
• Strategic vision
• Results and quality orientation
• Service orientation
• Planning and organising
• Initiative and innovation
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Leadership
• Security awareness and management

Others
• Availability to travel frequently, including to insecure environments

CONDITIONS
• Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
• Full time role, permanent contract
• Annual gross salary 4,976,254 KES(based on a 40 hours per week and secondary benefits, based on OCBA Reward Policy).
• Start Date: ASAP

How to apply:

Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and cover motivation letter by Friday 14th April 2017 under the reference “HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ADVISOR´´ to:

[email protected]

Or

MSF SPAIN, East Africa Unit
P.O. Box 60204-00200
Mayfair center, 4th Floor
Ralph Bunche Rd.
Nairobi.

MSF will contact only short-listed candidates.