Head of Mission Advisor | Addis Ababa

About MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid in more than 70 countries to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.

The main Purpose of the Position

Together with the Head of Mission (HoM) and the Coordination Team (including project coordinators) participates in the analysis and follow-up of humanitarian context and security situation. Advising, participating, and when requested, representing the HoM with regard to relevant national partners/stakeholders. Support the Mission in understanding the present and the evolving environment, power structures, and changing dynamics. Support in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a networking and communication strategy, ensuring contacts with authorities, local communities, and external actors. Participating and advising the HoM in the preparation of the overall planning of operations, including the review and update of the country policy, and action plan.

Accountabilities

• Undertake country-level actor mapping looking at national and regional authorities and conflict dynamics and support HoM with context analysis.
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts in order to share information on the context, follow trends, identify new risks and threats, with all relevant authorities at regional and federal levels.
• In coordination with the rest of the coordination team and legal department, map, understand, and develop protocols that help MSF to function within the legal, contextual, and proclamation frames set by different governing bodies including MOFA, ACSO, etc.
• Gain an understanding of how MSF is perceived by health professionals, the population, and relevant actors (political, armed groups, religious authorities…).
• Produce context analysis briefings highlighting the latest social, economic, political, and security trends with (potential) impact on the security and humanitarian contexts and ensure all incoming staff is briefed on such content.
• Stakeholder mapping.
• Together with project operational teams, analyze the impact of local dynamics on project staff’s safety and security as well as the impact on the population at large.
• In his/her advisory capacity, review, propose updates and advise the HoM in implementing the Country Security Plan, risk analysis/risk reduction measures, in accordance with MSF Security Policy.
• Assist the HoM in the dissemination of relevant context information to the coordination team, regularly inform them on key issues, update general information on the context for MSF internal documents, and advise on the cultural appropriateness of organizational activities and individual behaviors.
• Support the HoM in official representation. Upon delegation, represent MSF in meetings.
• Participate actively in the negotiation of access and identify gaps that prevent MSF to operate.
• Liaise with local potential stakeholders and help the country’s operational team to create, reinforce and maintain links with local leaders, tribes, authorities, and armed forces.
• Advise on and be involved in the negotiations, finalization, and maintenance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) / Project Agreement between MSF and the Government / any other institution involved.
• On request of the HoM, fill gaps and participate to the elaboration of different mission strategic documents, contributing to the mission´s strategic planning and objectives.
• Raise security awareness among the staff through regular meetings on security context.
• Write up reports on each security incident affecting MSF personnel and monitors its aftermath.
• Introduce actor-mapping methodology that can be independently maintained (regularly updated and improved) for each project.
•  Support and coach Coordination team members and Project Coordinators, on culturally sensitive manner of representation to local contacts, provide advice and support as needed evolution/challenges faced.

MSF Section/context-specific accountabilities

• In regular contact with MSF-B project coordinator assistants and supports throughout the mission, support the development of a common context analysis.
• Support MSF-B project coordinator assistants and supports throughout the mission on MSF’s context and security monitoring tools.
• Alert the HoM on any new humanitarian and medical development of interest in line with MSF’s medical and operational priorities in the country.
•  Support MSF in fulfilling its reporting requirements in line with MSF’s legal status in the country

Education: University Degree in Law, political and social sciences, public health or humanitarian action.

Experience: Essential experience working in the mission country. Demonstrated capacity for analysis, networking, and negotiation

Language: Mission language and English

Competencies: Strategic vision L2

Leadership L2

People Management and Development L3

Service Orientation L3