Head of the Advocacy Unit

Context & Mission

Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent humanitarian organization providing medical aid to victims of man-made or natural disasters, epidemics and endemics. Advocacy for MSF OCG refers to the capacity to formulate articulated, robust strategies, based on reliable data and evidence, to address medical and humanitarian concerns faced by populations MSF brings medical and humanitarian assistance to and that the organisation witness, by fostering changes in others’ practices and policy, and under certain circumstances, to speak out about the plight of populations in danger. It complements our medical intervention as a key component of MSF’s social mission. Its overreaching goal is to improve living conditions of populations affected by medical and humanitarian crisis. In this sense, Advocacy in OCG is fully anchored in our operations.

Under the direction supervision of the Director of Operations, the head of Advocacy Unit is leading MSF OCG’s advocacy efforts, guides operational leaders in the development and implementation of their advocacy strategies, and contributes actively to defining MSF OCG’s positioning on key issues.

Scope of responsibilities

Under the direct responsibility with the Director of Operations, the head of MSF OCG Advocacy Unit is in charge of:

• Coordinating and overseeing MSF OCG mission’s advocacy strategies and engagement**

S/he:

· Defines and coordinates the overall implementation of MSF OCG advocacy framework;

· Validates MSF OCG advocacy strategies and ensures the good respect of MSF OCG advocacy framework;

· Guides RPs in the design and the development of OCG missions’ advocacy strategies;

· Guides the Director of Operations and RPs on key and sensitive advocacy issues;

· Coordinates the work of the 4 Advocacy Advisors embedded in the Advocacy Unit;

· Represents MSF OCG for external engagement when necessary;

· Engages and coordinates with MSF advocacy counterparts in the other sections (including the HRT);

• Leading, advising, supporting (according to needs) MSF OCG on key positioning issues and in the development of MSF OCG operational portfolio.

S/he:

· Oversees and coordinates MSF OCG’s analysis of the medical and humanitarian sectors (evolution of policies, trends, actors’ landscape, etc.);

· Coordinates the analytical work of the 4 Advocacy Advisors of the Advocacy Unit;

· Provides strategic inputs to the Director of Operations and RPs on the evolution of the overall aid sector and key humanitarian and health concerns;

· Along with the Operational Directorate, contributes to the reflection on mission advocacy strategy and the development of MSF OCG operational portfolio;

· Guide/advise/support the Director of Operations and RPs in defining MSF OCG on key positioning issues;

· Works in close collaboration with the operational and medical lines and communication coordinator in the development of relevant MSF OCG positioning issues and coherent ways of dissemination;

· Engages with experts on specific and relevant medical and humanitarian issues throughout the MSF movement for feeding cell and mission’s reflection on key operational and positioning issues;

· Represents MSF OCG for external engagement when necessary;

· Engages and coordinates with MSF advocacy counterparts in the other sections (including the HRT).

• Moving forward the advocacy agenda within MSF OCG

S/he:

· Defines MSF OCG’s advocacy framework;

· Is the overall guardian of MSF OCG advocacy framework;

· Coordinates the development and implementation advocacy learning and training plans within MSF OCG;

· Coordinates the development of the advocacy filière within MSF OCG;

· Coordinates the development and improvement of advocacy tools within MSF OCG;

· Is a member of the FOROP platform.

• Ensuring the good management of MSF OCG Advocacy Unit

S/he:

· Is the responsible of the MSF OCG Advocacy Unit and its team;

· Is responsible for the development and good implementation of MSF OCG Advocacy Unit’s Plan of Action, budget and HR planning;

· Conducts recruitment, evaluation and any HR business of his/her team;

· Ensures the alignment of the Advocacy Unit’s plan with the development of MSF OCG.

Your Profile

Education

· Master’s degree in social sciences, international relations, political sciences, global/public health, international law, or equivalent.

Experience

· At least 10 years of experience with international organizations in the humanitarian sector in fields related to MSF work (e.g. humanitarian action, health sector, protection, etc).

· Extensive knowledge and understanding of the current issues, trends, landscape in the humanitarian and medical sectors.

· Extensive knowledge of humanitarian and/or medical advocacy issues and methodology.

· At least 5 years’ experience in humanitarian affairs or advocacy roles in the humanitarian sector, preferably with MSF.

· Understanding or experience in conducting research / methodologies of data collection and analysis.

· Experience in team coordination/leadership.

Technical skills

· Strong analytical capacity and ability to translate complex analysis into concise, clear, and actionable conclusions and recommendations

· High Advocacy expertise

· Strategic thinking capacity

· Leadership experience and skills

· Capacity to facilitate collective discussions and drive learning events

· Writing skills

· External representation

Languages

· Fluent English and French

· A 3rd language is an advantage

Soft skills

· Good interpersonal skills

· Flexible

· Team player

· Sense of humor

· Ability to work independently

· Sense of diplomacy

Terms of Employment

· Open-ended contract, Full-time, 100%

· Working place: Geneva

· Ideal start date: May 1^st, 2022

· Gross annual salary: from CHF 116’449.- to CHF 130’657.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)