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 religion, gender or political affiliation.
MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together. Based in Geneva, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIONS IN BRUSSELS (M/F)
POSITION BACKGROUND
The Humanitarian Advocacy and Representation Team (HART) provide support to the MSF operations through linkages and actions to and from external networks (political, humanitarian, medical, and civil society). The HART maintains active relations with its network and continually informs the MSF operations of the relevant analysed information. The HART influences its network through specific actions for the benefit of the MSF programs and MSF operations’ goals. In carrying out its actions, the HART responds to direct requests from the operational program managers (desks). Longer term positioning and actions are also co-ordinated within the HART team and directed by the MSF operations at the HQ level.
The HART 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, partner sections (regarding their relations with their own host governments and regional networks – eg. South Africa, Germany, China, Australia, etc), IO medical secretary & medical co-ordinator, medical working groups + others as necessary. The HART interacts with the field missions of MSF (HoM level) in order to improve the overall quality of the support to operations, in particular through its regional positions, under the direction of the desk managers.
The HART is composed of 7 members under the international office (Geneva x 2, New York, Brussels, and 3 regional representations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia) and 4 members under partner sections (MSF UK, MSF USA, MSF China, MSF Japan).
PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
Part of the MSF International Office Humanitarian and Advocacy Representation Team (HART), the Representative to the European Union works under the coordination and supervision of the Humanitarian Advocacy & Representation Coordinator as well as in close link with operations departments of the five MSF operational centres (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva and Paris), other key advocacy resources of the International Office (HART, Access Campaign) and the MSF movement.
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, in order to support MSF’s operations and preserve and share MSF’s identity, views and analysis on humanitarian and medical situations and cross-cutting issues.
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 lead the critical dialogue between MSF and NATO.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
REPRESENTATION TO EU
Based on operational realities and under the direct responsibility and guidance of the Humanitarian Advocacy & Representation Coordinator, 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, 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 Humanitarian Advocacy & Representation Coordinator 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 HART members based in Geneva, New York, Addis Ababa, etc., as well as with the Access Campaign Advocacy position based in Brussels.
DIALOGUE WITH NATO
The Representative to the European Union will also be responsible for leading the critical dialogue developed between MSF and NATO over the last few years 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 (civilian-military dialogue)
PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree (M.A.) or equivalent and five years work experience; or six to ten years related experience and/or training
Solid knowledge of the EU institutions and advocacy experience towards the EU or any other similar institutions;
Demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian affairs and genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian action and principles of MSF;
Solid field-experience and knowledge of /experience with MSF or equivalent required (e.g. ICRC);
Knowledge of basic provisions of International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Refugee Law.
Specific Skills
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;
Ability to set priorities and organise his/her own work;
Fluent written and spoken English and French.
CONDITIONS
Permanent position – Full-time – based in Brussels
Starting date: 1 October 2015 or as soon as possible
Deadline for applications: 9 September 2015
Please submit all applications only by email to: IO-recruitment.gva@msf.org Stating “HART Representative Brussels ” in the title – Please submit only ONE FILE containing your CV and cover letter and name the file with your last name only – Only short-listed candidates will be contacted