Humanitarian Affairs Advisora – Nairobi – Médecins Sans Frontières

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 MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by 41 field teams and 20 mission coordination teams and organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens, Nairobi and Buenos Aires. The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND JOB ENVIROMENT
As highlighted in MSF OCBA’s strategic Plan for 2014-2017, together with effective medical action, we would like 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 advocacy and engagement strategies. Our ambitions range from bringing other agencies to a specific context/issue, to contributing to changes at policy level, and they will all constitute an intrinsic building block of our medical humanitarian programming.
The Humanitarian Affairs Team (HAT) will be key to the achievement of these ambitions. The team will be composed by 1 Humanitarian Affairs Senior Advisor to the Department of Operations (HASADO), 5 HAA (3 based in Barcelona, 1 based in Dakar and 1 based in Nairobi) and 1 Medical-Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, plus 1 Humanitarian Affairs Senior Advisor to the General Direction (HASADG).
The HAA is a full member of the Operational cell/Emergency Unit and as such s/he has direct operational accountability and output. S/he works closely with the head of the Operational Cell/Emergency Unit (RECO/REUE), the health advisor (TESACO and the Communications Advisor. S/he also belongs to the Humanitarian Affairs Team which is a more loosely organised platform coordinated by the HASADO. The HAAreports hierarchically to the Head of the Operational Cell (RECO) and functionally to the HASADO.
The work of the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor (HAA) will include both support to MSF operations in key countries and thematic reflection/analysis/research. The HAAs based in Dakar and Nairobi will also give support to the units of West Africa and East Africa (EAU).
The position requires frequent travel to the field (up to 40% of the time).

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES
1. Ensure OCBA’s Humanitarian Affairs ambitions for Emergency Unit
1.1Advocacy: The HAA will facilitate and ensure the realisation of mission-based advocacy strategies. He/she will make sure that the emergency interventions managed by the EAU do count with the minimum set of standards.
1.2Networking: HAAs will actively contribute to the Networking Database centralised by the HASADO.
1.3Sparring: HAA will become a natural partner for the Line Management (RECO, HOM, FC) specifically and for the HAT generally on the function of sparring at multiple levels, from operational vision & strategy to acceptance & perception.
1.4Reflection & Positioning:HAAs’ role would be crucial as their preparatory and preliminary analysis will actually be the foundations for the creation and definition of OCBA’s reflection and positioning.. In practical terms, each HAA will count with a clear, concise and updated frame on Reflection & Positioning, even if limited, for each mission and in particular for those prioritised.
1.5Knowledge Management. HAAs will contribute to Knowledge Management frame within Operations that will articulate and contribute with other broader OCBA initiatives. This would be of particular importance at the transversal portfolio(s) and thematic / project(s) levels.
2. Perform as a key acting member of the HAT
2.1Ensure HAT dynamic.HAAs will be key for ensuring a HAT healthy dynamic keeping a good balance between the fidelity to the Cells’ dynamics and the one to the HAT
2.2Contribute to the HAT promotion,internally and externally to OCBA.
2.3HA coordination. HAA will become the natural functional referent for the humanitarian affairs officers (HAO) placed in the missions..
3. Shared cross-cutting functions by HAT members (to decide the scope)
3.1Analysis:The HAA will complement existing context analysis carried out at Cells’ level when needed; ensuring or providing specific & added value contextual analysis. It includes identifying and channelling external expertise if deemed necessary.
3.2.Training:*The HAA will take on responsibility on the definition, development and implementation of specific training modules (curricula) and sessions (courses*), as well as on other subjects related to existent or acquired expertise (e.g., related to one thematic / project carried out).
3.3.Field visits:The HAA will carry out field visits on request by the EAU or following his/her own suggestion, always with defined in advance with ToR.
3.4.Dissemination:*The HAA will contribute to the dissemination of either the HAT or specific transversal, thematic or project(s) areas. It will be donevia* in-house or external presentations, participations in seminars, etc. This will be implemented in close collaboration with the HASADO and the RECO.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Education and experience
• Previous experience on Advocacy and/or Humanitarian Affairs, whether in MSF or externally, is a must
• Previous operational management experience, whether in MSF (Field Coordinator or higher) or externally, is an asset
• Social Sciences profile, with an International component and/or expertise, including: (International) Political Science, International Public Law, International Relations, Development’ Economics, Anthropology or similar.
• Specific training in the Humanitarian Sector at higher academic level (Masters’ Degree or assimilated – Ll.M, MSc, DEA) is highly recommended.
• Advocacy & Humanitarian Affairs training, whether MSF or external is highly recommended.
• Strong analytical and advisory skills
• Ability to translate complex contexts and summarize the core elements into analysis with clear conclusions and recommendations
• Ability to understand medical data and epidemiological analysis
• Proven excellence in written English (published reports, position papers, etc)
• English and French.
• Other languages would be considered an asset (e.g. Arabic)
• IT skills (windows setting, office package).
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
• Excellent verbal and written communication, representation and training skills.
• Availability to travel frequently, either to the field or international meetings.

CONDITIONS
• Based in: Nairobi, KENYA
• Full time job
• Annual gross salary (based on a 40 hours per week+ secondary benefits, based on OCBA Reward Policy.
• Starting Date: ASAP

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and cover motivation letter by June 7th 2015 under the reference “HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ADVISOR´´to:
MSFE-RRHH-NBO@barcelona.msf.org
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.

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