I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization 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 23 sections, 25 associations, and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information, and support to the MSF Movement and implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
II. POSITION BACKGROUND
The Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT) supports 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, the Head of Humanitarian Representation (IOHRC), and the Deputy Head of the Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT). The HRT maintains active relations with its network and continually informs the MSF operations of the relevant analyzed 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 coordinate its work. These include the reflection and advocacy centers of the operational sections, the Access campaign, the International President, Secretary General, International Medical Secretary & Medical Co-ordinator, medical working groups, and others as necessary. The HRT in Africa aims to reinforce the links and coordination with MSF WACA, MSF Ubuntu, and any other MSF entities that may develop. The HRT may interact with the field missions of MSF (HoM-level) 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 of the Humanitarian Representative for Central and East Africa. 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 to formalize its relationship with the African Union through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), regulating and safeguarding MSF's relationship with the bloc.
Main tasks
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 of the AU’s work, policies, and decisions that could have an impact on MSF’s operations, anticipating potential risks and opportunities for collaboration.
Main tasks
3. Facilitating MSF’s operational dialogue
A third objective is to contribute to and support with analysis of the MSF’s operations intersection dialogue. As such, the HRT AU representative will facilitate, for several countries, regular meetings between MSF’s section operations managers (“Interdesk meetings”).
Main tasks
Job Requirements
Location: Addis Ababa (with a transition period in Nairobi before accreditation)