Médecins Sans Frontières Humanitarian Affairs Advisor in 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 MSF movement is build 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, including the Operational Department.

Background of the position

To accompany the recently created decentralised operational unit in Nairobi, MSF-OCBA is opening this new position there.

The Humanitarian Affairs Advisor (HAA) will act as a reference person for geo-political, medical and humanitarian information and analysis in the area of influence, contributing to the reflection on medical and humanitarian dilemmas, on the role of MSF and operational strategies in this area.

The HAA for the East Africa Unit (EAU) is hierarchically accountable to the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) in Nairobi and closely coordinates with the other positions at the EAU.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contributes to the reflection on medical and humanitarian dilemmas, on the role of MSF and operational strategies in the area of influence, through networking, organizing, promoting and participating in debates, analysis and reflection exercises.
• Conducts permanent regional context analysis through networking and participation in different platforms
• Contributes to isolate, through analysis, causes and responsibilities of specific problems found in the region.
• Produces strategic papers from the reflections above.
• Conducts networking with diverse actors in the area of influence that can contribute to improve understanding and response to populations needs.
• Identifies and reports situations/elements that may affect the achievement of operational goals and proposes adaptations and exceptions according to analysis.
• Conducts operational (strategy and implementation) sparring and support for the operational cell in the unit and for any other cell which may deem it useful.
• Supports missions in the region to develop advocacy strategies in order to achieve operational goals.
• Supports cells with missions in the region in the follow up of advocacy strategies.
• Conducts advocacy related support visits/evaluations/audits and makes recommendations.
• Follows up implementation of corrective actions out of evaluations in order to achieve the organizational quality goals.
• Contributes to reviewing the operational policy and annual orientations, based on analysis of evolution of medical and humanitarian needs and challenges in the region.
• Contributes to the review, organization and planning of the Operations Department.

Others
• Represents OCBA in regional forums (ensures no duplication with other MSF bodies/missions in the region). Non mission oriented representation.
• Participates in workshops, seminars and other knowledge generating platforms.
• Participate in the operational back up and in the operational on-call process.
• Contributes to the smooth work flow between unit and services, other cells and field.
• Participates in the accountability transversal processes.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Education and experience
• Studies in international law, political and/or social sciences.
• Previous experience in the development/humanitarian sector;
• Field experience, preferably in emergency or crisis context;
• Preferably demonstrated knowledge and experience in working in East Africa region;
• Fluent in English. Swahili, Arabic, French and/or Spanish desirable, other languages appreciated.
• IT working knowledge (Microsoft Office, Internet).

Competencies
• Commitment to MSF principles
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Behavioural flexibility
• Stress management
• Analytical Thinking
• Quality and results orientation • Planning and organising
• Initiative and innovation
• Service orientation
• Teamwork

Others
• Highly motivated and interested in the humanitarian sector
• Availability to travel to the field
• Flexibility with working hours
• Very articulated

CONDITIONS
• Based in Nairobi at the EAU office
• Full time job
• Temporary position of 1 year contract aiming to be a permanent position in the near future.
• Starting date: as soon as possible.

How to apply: 

Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and cover motivation letter under the reference “HAA” to:

MSF-SPAIN
MSFE-RRHH-NBO@barcelona.msf.org

Closing date: 18th November 2012

Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates