Humanitarian Affairs Officers play a crucial role in shaping our advocacy efforts, working to ensure that MSF addresses humanitarian and human rights challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
From gathering data on local and international contexts to analysing security, medical, and humanitarian issues, Humanitarian Affairs Officers provide essential support to our operations. They are at the heart of MSF’s advocacy, contributing to the development of strategies and ensuring effective collaboration with external stakeholders to facilitate access to affected communities.
This diverse and impactful role involves some or all of the following:
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development of humanitarian affairs activities by supporting the project’s coordination team.
- Perform data collection and research on local and international contexts regarding security, medical, nutritional, and humanitarian issues.
- Support the Head of Mission and Field Coordinators in data analysis to optimise programme and project responses.
- Compile regular updates on activities and plans of NGOs, the UN, ICRC, donors, and authorities to align MSF’s activities.
- Collaborate with Head of Mission, the headquarters operations department, and other parties to develop a global strategy.
- Define and review advocacy messages, tools, and lobbying strategies.
- Maintain a working relationship with local authorities, NGOs, communities, and other stakeholders to improve access and coordination.
- Organise discussions, trainings, and briefings on human rights and humanitarian law for MSF staff.
- Participate in the creation and updating of the country risk analysis.
- Promote and support advocacy activities at local, national, and international levels.
- Supervise humanitarian affairs staff in the project.
Hear from an MSF humanitarian affairs officer
One young boy told me that he was travelling with five very good friends. All five friends died in detention centres in Libya.Julie Melichar, MSF humanitarian affairs officer
Mediterranean migration
Search and rescue: “They describe Libya as hell”
Requirements:
- Essential degree in law, humanitarian affairs, political science, or a related field.
- Minimum two years of experience in research, analysis, and advocacy.
- Essential experience with MSF or other NGOs.
- Fluency in the mission language.
- Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel, and Internet).
Assets:
- Desirable experience working in developing countries.
- Knowledge of the local language is desirable.
- Results-driven
- Strong teamwork skills
- Flexibility
- Commitment to humanitarian values
- Strong stress management abilities
