HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ADVISOR

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. As a non-profit, self-governed movement of over 63,000 dedicated professionals, we provide life-saving medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and exclusion from healthcare.

Our work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. We act based on need, and when we witness injustice, we speak out. Our commitment to professionalism and humanity can mean the difference between life and death.

People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnic background, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they intersect together.

With immediate effect, MSF OCA is looking for an:

Humanitarian Affairs Advisor Maternity Cover (32 hours) 80% with (20%) travelling to country programmes

Preferred location Amsterdam, possible other locations: London, Berlin, Amman and Nairobi

OSCAR is OCA’s humanitarian affairs, operational communications and advocacy department. It is comprised of Communication Advisors (CAs), Audio-Visual, (AV), Digital Producers and Humanitarian Affairs Advisors (HAAs) who work in tandem in distinct and complementary roles.

Témoignage’, understood as bearing witness to, speaking out against and denouncing dehumanising instances, such as those of injustice, violence, armed conflict, as well as discriminatory and exclusionary policies, is at the core of MSF’s mission. Guided by this commitment, OSCAR teams prioritise the countering and monitoring of policies, narratives and actions that infringe upon people’s dignities and subject them to systemic dehumanisation.  We focus on responding to emergencies, on engaging and influencing key stakeholders through témoignage-based advocacy, and on producing and developing powerful public communications that places agency and respect to the communities we aim to assist at its core.

OSCAR’s Humanitarian Affairs team, coordinated by the Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator (HACo), comprises Humanitarian Affairs Advisors (HAA) with expertise in a wide range of fields, including on international relations, access negotiations, international humanitarian & human rights law, forced migration, and health policy & systems.  

OSCAR's Operational Communications team, coordinated by the Communications Coordinator (CoCo), includes communication advisors, a mis/disinformation advisor and staff with specialised digital and audiovisual skills who facilitate MSF's communication and témoignage on behalf of OCA's operations.  

OSCAR works in close proximity with desks and country-based staff to support country teams in better understanding and addressing some of the challenges  of the communities  we work with, and best leveraging the potential of our proximity to affected populations to bear witness and speak out in support of the communities that we aim to  assist and stand in solidarity with.  

Objective

In this role, you are a key advisor on humanitarian affairs, analysis and advocacy across selected MSF OCA country programmes and humanitarian themes. You help MSF teams understand complex humanitarian dynamics, navigate positioning dilemmas and identify opportunities to improve the situation of affected communities and strengthen the quality and impact of our operations and témoignage. Working at both country and organizational level, you provide strategic advice, develop humanitarian analysis and advocacy plans, and support teams to translate analysis into meaningful action and positioning. You will also contribute to organizational learning, capacity building and strategic decision-making on humanitarian affairs and advocacy.

Main responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice, support and coaching to country teams on humanitarian affairs, analysis, advocacy and positioning across your assigned portfolio of countries and humanitarian themes.

• Monitor and analyze political, social, humanitarian and operational dynamics in the contexts where MSF is working, identifying key developments, risks and opportunities.

• Support country teams and management in addressing complex positioning issues and dilemmas, providing clear analysis and practical recommendations.

• Develop and support the implementation of humanitarian analysis and advocacy plans, including work with external actors and partners.

• Produce, contribute to and/or edit high-quality internal and external briefing papers, reports, analyses and positioning documents.

• Advise country management teams and HQ operations, medical managers and advisors on humanitarian affairs and advocacy matters.

• Technically supervise and coach country-level humanitarian affairs staff, helping strengthen their capacity and practice.

• Contribute to the development and delivery of training on humanitarian affairs, advocacy and positioning for country and HQ teams.

• Contribute to the development and improvement of OCA policies, strategies, procedures, tools and guidelines related to humanitarian affairs and advocacy.

• Work closely with country leadership, Operations, Public Health, other OCA departments and MSF sections to build alignment on humanitarian affairs and advocacy issues.

• Build and maintain networks with relevant external stakeholders, including NGOs, and represent MSF in external meetings and forums when required.

• Contribute to organizational strategic decision-making, including through the Control Cycle.

• Visit MSF teams and projects in countries of operation as required.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an experienced humanitarian affairs professional who combines strong analytical and strategic thinking with the ability to advise, influence and collaborate across different levels of an international organization.

You bring:

• A Master’s degree in law, social sciences, political sciences or another relevant field.

• At least 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian affairs

• MSF experience in Humanitarian Affairs is Essential

• In-depth knowledge of the factors influencing humanitarian affairs in contexts where MSF operates

• Strong experience in humanitarian analysis, advocacy and positioning

• The ability to analyse complex situations, identify key issues and translate analysis into clear recommendations and action.

• Experience advising and coaching colleagues and working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt complex analysis for different audiences.

• Fluency in English and another relevant language; languages spoken in MSF countries of operation are highly desirable.

• The ability and willingness to work across different contexts and travel to MSF projects and teams when needed.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic and analytical thinking

• Influencing and advising

• Collaboration and stakeholder engagement

• Communication and advocacy

• Coaching and capacity building

• Adaptability and working effectively in complex humanitarian contexts

We offer

An employment contract is based on 32 hours per week. It is a one-year Maternity Cover. Compensation package and benefits will depend on the country of domicile and the local labor law.  

In addition, you can expect:

• L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external training and courses 

• An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world representing various cultures and backgrounds 

Application

For this position, we have a preference for candidates who are currently based in locations where MSF has an established contracting office, as the position does not include relocation support. 

Are you excited about the opportunity to contribute to this role and make a meaningful difference through your experience and expertise?  We would be very happy to hear from you! 

To apply, please upload one combined document containing your motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV), in English. Please note that only applications including a motivation letter will be considered.

The recruitment  process will include one interview round, a test or other assessment may also be included. Application deadline: 27th September 2026, 23:59 CET.

Information

Would you like to learn more about the position or have questions before applying?

For further information about the position and its responsibilities, please contact: Louise Roland-Gosselin Muamba Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator

louise.roland-gosselin@nairobi.msf.org

For questions regarding the recruitment process, terms and conditions, or MSF, please contact: Imad Al-Fadel  imad.al-fadel@amman.msf.org

No agencies please