Humanitarian Access Advisor in the Emergency Preparedness and Support Unit

Job Offer
(strictly no recruitment agencies)

Join MSF OCG as a Humanitarian Access Advisor in the Emergency Preparedness and Support Unit !

We are looking for passionate candidates ready to contribute to our humanitarian mission.

Below, you will find the job details and the qualifications we are looking for.

Inclusivity and Diversity at MSF

Do your qualifications and experience not exactly match all requirements of the job?

At MSF OCG, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification.

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.

Context & mission

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).

The Humanitarian Access Advisor is a critical position within the Emergency Preparedness and Support Unit, playing a key role in MSF OCG’s ability to anticipate, prepare, and respond to complex humanitarian emergencies. This role focuses on providing strategic analysis, engaging key stakeholders, leading humanitarian negotiation efforts, and fostering collaboration across departments to ensure timely and impactful emergency responses.

Reporting to the Head of Unit, the Humanitarian Access Advisor contributes to the successful execution of emergency operations by supporting the four workstreams of emergency management: surveillance and scanning, emergency preparedness, emergency response, and strategic learning and adaptation.

In close collaboration with the other members of the Unit, the Humanitarian Access advisor will actively promote synergy within the Operations Department, while ensuring effective coordination with the other departments to optimize overall emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Emergency Preparedness and Support Unit, the Humanitarian Access Advisor plays a pivotal role in strengthening MSF OCG’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond effectively to emergencies.

This role involves:

1. Analyzing and reporting on humanitarian trends, emergency contexts and operational stakes.

2. Building and managing global stakeholder networks for emergency preparedness and response to ensure timely access to patients and communities.

3. Supporting operational teams in strengthening mission-level stakeholder engagement and negotiation strategies for emergency preparedness and response.

4. Developing and adapting medical-operational resources, guidance, and tools to enhance engagement and negotiation to sustain emergency preparedness and response.

5. Strengthening knowledge management and strategic adaptation in emergency management, particularly linked to stakeholder engagement and negotiation.

The responsibilities are aligned with the four workstreams of OCG emergency management strategy, while also reflecting the broader strategic role of humanitarian access and negotiation in supporting OCG’s emergency ambitions.

Surveillance & Scanning

• Analyze and report on key geopolitical contexts, humanitarian trends, global health and aid systems, identifying critical risks and opportunities for emergency response.
• Monitor humanitarian alert and prioritize key countries or areas at risk of humanitarian deterioration, leveraging opportunity for timely engagement.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis related to medical humanitarian emergencies.

EPREP

• Contribute to the global OCG EPREP strategy by aligning stakeholder engagement and access strategy with global priorities.
• Engage with global emergency stakeholders in close collaboration with the advocacy and negotiation units, other departments and the humanitarian representation team (HRT).
• Provide support to strengthen country EPREP strategies and plans, particularly on strategic engagement and negotiation, in collaboration with the negotiation unit to secure timely access in emergency contexts.
• Develop and sustain stakeholders’ engagement in specific countries where MSF-OCG has strategic interest to maintain access outside of its operational portfolio.
• Develop or adapt tailored guidance, frameworks, and tools specific to preparedness, engagement and negotiation.

Response

• Provide direct support to emergency interventions, including rapid context analysis, stakeholder engagement and negotiation strategies, to help operational teams make informed decision and mitigating risks related to access, acceptance and engagement.
• Deliver crisis-specific guidance to operational cells and missions during acute emergencies, focusing on resolving immediate challenges and supporting effective response execution.

Adaptation & Learning

• Conduct capitalization and lessons learnt exercises to integrate recommendations into future strategic and operational planning.
• Pilot innovative approaches and tools for humanitarian analysis, engagement, and negotiation
• Design and deliver training modules for negotiation and stakeholder engagement in emergency settings.
• Identify key humanitarian stakes and emerging trends to foster internal strategic discussions and contribute to OCG ability to anticipate and prepare for future dynamics.
• Collaborate with other MSF operational centers and external partners to exchange and disseminate best practices in engagement and negotiation for emergency preparedness and response.

Transversal / Management

• Contribute to the periodic review of the emergency management framework and workplan and provide recommendation for adaptation and improvement.
• Foster a strong emergency and learning culture within OCG by actively participating in internal meetings and providing expert strategic input on negotiation and access-related challenges in emergencies.
• Work closely with operational teams and other departments to ensure aligned and coordinated support for operational priorities and contribute to the implementation of the OCG strategic plan priorities.
• This position requires regular travel to MSF countries of intervention, both planned, and at short notice.
• All candidates must commit and adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments, Recruitment Principles and to the MSF Policy on Abortion.

Your profile

Education

• A university-level degree in diploma in international relations, public health, humanitarian studies, or a related field.
• Advanced training in humanitarian negotiation is an asset.

Experience

• MSF experience with involvement in emergency response, including direct field operations in roles such as Head of Mission, or Emergency Coordinator.
• Solid experience in negotiating access in insecure or highly regulated environments.
• Solid experience in building and managing stakeholder engagement and networks.
• Experience supporting emergency preparedness.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of MSF Switzerland. Fluency in both English and French is required for this position (oral and written).

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Strategic planning and management of emergency health projects in humanitarian contexts
• Solid analytical skills on contextual evolution, security management and humanitarian stakes
• Proven competencies in humanitarian negotiation and building stakeholders’ engagement.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information.

Personal Abilities/Qualities

• Commitment to MSF values and culture
• Team player and collaboration across teams
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and resilience
• Proactive, solution-oriented and open minded
• Sense of diplomacy

Terms of employment

• Full-time position 100% (40h/week)
• Open-ended contract
• Working place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Ideal start date: May, 2025
• Gross annual salary (for 100%): from CHF 102’180.- to CHF 116’484.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)
• Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
• Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member.
• Relocation package if moving from a different country to Switzerland.

How to apply

Candidates are invited to submit their application exclusively through our recruitment platform, following these guidelines:

• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• Documents must be submitted in either English or French.

The application deadline is April 20th, 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier if we receive a sufficient number of quality applications.

APPLY

All applications will be treated confidentially.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please note that we do not wish to use the services of recruitment or placement agencies.