Position: Humanitarian Representative to the African Union and Africa-CDC
Location: Addis Ababa (with a transition period in Nairobi prior to accreditation)
Contract: 2 years renewable – full-time
Deadline to apply: 20 August 2023
Starting date: ASAP
Job Description
I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information, and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
II. POSITION BACKGROUND
The Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT) provides support to the MSF operations through linkages and actions to and from external networks (political, humanitarian, medical, and civil society). It is managed by the International Operations Coordinator and Head of Humanitarian Representation (IOHRC) and the deputy Head of Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT). The HRT maintains active relations with its network and continually informs the MSF operations of the relevant analysed information. The HRT influences its network through specific actions for the benefit of the MSF programs and MSF operations’ goals. In carrying out its actions, the HRT responds to direct requests from the operational program managers (desks).
The HRT maintains active and effective internal links to co-ordinate its work. These include the reflection and advocacy centres of the operational sections, the Access campaign and partner sections (regarding their relations with their own host governments and regional networks – eg Canada, Germany, China, Australia, etc.), International President, Secretary General, International Medical Secretary & Medical Co-ordinator, medical working groups and others as necessary. The HRT may interact with the field missions of MSF (HoM-level) in order to improve the overall quality of the support to operations at the request of desks.
III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
Part of the MSF International Office Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT), the Representative to the African Union works under the coordination and supervision of the IOHRC and the Deputy Head of HRT as well as in close collaboration with the Humanitarian Representative for Central and East Africa and the HRT representatives dealing with multilaterals. The AU representative aligns its work with the demands of the operations departments of the six MSF operational directorates (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva, Paris and West Africa), other key advocacy resources of the International Office and the MSF movement.
IV. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
1. Develop an engagement framework between MSF and the African Union
With this position, MSF aims at formalizing its relationship with the African Union through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), regulating and safeguarding MSF relationship with the bloc.
Main tasks
- Discuss and negotiate the terms of the MOU between MSF and the AU’s HSS (and additional entities if pertinent), governing the principal framework of interaction between the African Union and MSF international.
- Discuss and negotiate a framework of engagement with the Africa CDC.
- Ensure MSF’s internal coordination during those processes, including all pertinent stakeholders in operational, medical, analysis and international legal department.
2. Medical Humanitarian Representation
The main objective of this position is to define and implement, in close collaboration with MSF operations, medical and advocacy departments, a coherent and efficient advocacy & humanitarian diplomacy strategy towards the African Union, its institutions, and permanent representations of member states as well as third states and non-state actors based in Addis Ababa. This includes monitoring and providing relevant analysis on the AU’s work, policies and decisions which could have an impact on MSF’s operations, anticipating potential risks and opportunities of collaboration.
Main tasks
- To pursue negotiations with the AU to formalize a partnership between MSF and the African Union.
- To develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts for MSF operations and the MSF movement with key AU institutions, officials and diplomats from permanent missions and with representatives to AU of non-state actors.
- To engage and collaborate with the Africa CDC on the basis of MSF’s medical humanitarian expertise. This work will be coordinated with MSF’s Access to Products for Health Care initiative.
- To represent the MSF movement and positions towards the AU on the basis of operational realities. This includes the preparation, organization and facilitation of meetings between MSF operational representatives, AU Commission and Africa CDC officials as well as AU Member States representatives to discuss on needs and operational challenges in the medical humanitarian response to crises.
- Ensure adequate and regular understanding of key stakeholders present and active at the AU bodies: actors, dynamics, challenges for MSF, new policies, positioning on major topics of interest for MSF.
- To prepare MSF’s operations’ interventions or to intervene directly in relevant panels, public hearings, international conferences, and other events on behalf of MSF’s operations, using agreed speaking points.
- To closely work with the HRT EA and the HRT UN based in Geneva to coordinate the medical topics and interlinks among Africa CDC and WHO AFRO / WHO HQ.
3. Facilitating MSF’s operational dialogue
A third objective is to contribute to and support with analysis the MSF’s operations intersection dialogue. As such, the HRT AU representative will facilitate, for a number of countries, regular meetings between MSF’s sections operations managers (“Interdesk meetings”).
Main tasks
- Ensure the preparation of the Interdesk meetings Agenda and dissemination of the meeting outcomes to key stakeholders.
- Facilitate the Interdesk meetings, following up the outcomes and actions items collectively agreed by the Interdesk.
- Foster the exchange of relevant and strategic information inter-sectionally and facilitate the identification of important challenges and opportunities for operations (internal and external).
Job requirements
- At least 10 years of relevant humanitarian experience in operations, advocacy, analysis or humanitarian diplomacy. Experience with MSF is an asset.
- A background in public health will be considered an important asset.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the African Union institutions and advocacy experience towards the AU and/or countries on the African continent. A solid network of contacts within the organisation and pertinent member states is a strong asset.
- Excellent diplomatic skills (in written as well as in personal interactions), interpersonal skill, judgment, and the ability to build and maintain network of contacts are a must.
- In depth knowledge of the international aid system and current trends and dilemmas, as well as an analytical understanding of the role of MSF within the aid system; a basic understanding of the provisions of international humanitarian law is preferred.
- Ability to synthesize complex and sensitive material and analyse and report on it convincingly to colleagues.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Fluent written and spoken English and French. Knowledge of any of the African Union official languages is a strong asset.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity.