Humanitarian Representative to the European Union and NATO At Médecins Sans Frontières

Location: Brussels
Contract: Permanent position – 100%
Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 25 April 2023

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 23 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 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 European Union works under the coordination and supervision of the IOHRC and the Deputy Head of HRT as well as in close link with 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. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The main objective of this position is to define and implement a strategic, coherent and efficient advocacy & humanitarian diplomacy action towards the European Union institutions, including EU Member States Permanent Representations, European Council, Parliament and NATO in support to MSF’s operations. This includes providing relevant analysis on the EU and NATO policies and decisions which could have an impact on MSF’s operations, anticipating potential risks and opportunities.

A second objective is to develop and lead a dialogue with third countries missions to the EU and NATO, as well as with representatives to the EU of non-state actors and opposition groups, UN, ICRC, NGOs/Think-Tanks.

A third objective is to contribute to the MSF’s operations intersection dialogue and as such, the HRT EU representative facilitates, for several agreed countries, regular meetings between MSF’s sections operations managers (“Interdesk meetings”).

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Representation to EU
Based on operational realities and under the responsibility and guidance of the IOHRC and the direct line management of the Deputy Head of HRT, the Representative’s main function is to define and implement MSF’s advocacy/humanitarian diplomacy towards the EU system at large: relevant EU institutions (European Commission, European External Action Service, Council of the EU, European Parliament), third countries diplomatic missions to the EU, representatives to the EU of non-state actors and opposition groups, UN, ICRC, NGOs/Think-Tanks.

Main tasks

• To develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts for MSF operations and the MSF movement with key EU officials and EU diplomats, with the diplomatic missions to the EU and with representatives to the EU of non-state actors and opposition groups, UN, ICRC, NGOs/Think-Tanks. To provide updates, information and analysis on the activities, positions and strategies of relevant EU institutions (particularly European Commission, Council of the EU, European Parliament), that have an impact on MSF contexts of intervention and on wider humanitarian and development issues.
• To represent the MSF Movement and defend MSF’s positions towards the EU system on the basis of operational realities, through selective attendance to relevant meetings, panels, conferences, strategic interactions with officials and diplomats working in/with the EU system, briefings of relevant contacts, high-level correspondence, etc;
• To prepare, organize and facilitate meetings between MSF representatives and EU officials, as well as with relevant contacts within the permanent representations of EU member state and within third country permanent missions to the EU;
• To draft/produce written materials to convey MSF messages and analyses, either independently or under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Deputy Head of HRT and other relevant MSF colleagues, particularly in the respective analysis & advocacy, reflection and communication units;
• To ensure coherence and consistency in the contacts/interactions between MSF and the EU delegations to the UN, African Union, League of Arab States, ASEAN, Organisation for the Islamic Cooperation, through a close working relationship with the HRT members based in Geneva, New York, Addis Ababa, etc., as well as with the Medical Advocacy position based in Brussels.
• 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.

2. Dialogue with NATO
The Representative to the European Union will also be responsible for leading the critical dialogue developed between MSF and NATO and for defining and implementing a more strategic and coherent advocacy/humanitarian diplomacy towards NATO, notably:

• To develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts for the MSF movement and operations within key bodies, departments and officials of NATO (particularly NATO HQ in Brussels, NATO SHAPE in Mons)
• To provide updates, information and analysis on the activities, positions and strategies of NATO, related to humanitarian issues and relevant contexts of MSF’s interventions/presence.
• To represent the MSF Movement and defend MSF’s positions towards NATO on the basis of operational realities, through selective attendance to relevant meetings, presentations in selected NATO schools, strategic interactions with NATO civilian and military officials, NATO Permanent Missions diplomats, as well as high-level correspondence, etc.
• To prepare, organize and facilitate meetings between MSF representatives and NATO officials.
• To ensure coherence and consistency in the contacts/interactions between MSF and NATO, including when relevant between MSF and NATO Allies (civ-mil dialogue)

3. Interdesk Facilitation
As a facilitator of an Interdesk, the main responsibilities are:

• Ensure the preparation of the Interdesk meeting 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).

VI. PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

• At least 10 years of relevant experience and a (first) Degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs or other relevant field; public health background will be considered a significant asset.
• At least 10 years of experience with MSF at HQ or in the field in a role directly connected to operations; a combination of MSF experience and experience in another humanitarian organisation will be considered.
• Knowledge of the EU institutions and advocacy experience towards the EU or any other similar institutions.
• Significant knowledge of the international aid system and current trends/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.
• Knowledge of Office 365
• Good social and interpersonal skills, time-management skills, flexibility, autonomy and reliability.
• Ability to synthesize complex and sensitive material and analyze and report on it cogently to colleagues.
• Ability to write high-level correspondence and interact with senior diplomatic officials.
• Excellent interpersonal skill, judgment and diplomatic skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English and French.

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 characteristics.