Humanitarian Representative for West Africa

Location: Dakar

Duration: 12 months

Contract: Full-time

Reporting to: International Operations and Humanitarian Representation Coordinator or the Humanitarian Representative to East and Central Africa as a back-up

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply : 30th April 2024

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 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.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

The position is part of the Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT), which provides support to the MSF operations through linkages and actions with external networks (including political, humanitarian, medical, civil society and other actors). The HRT is managed by the International Operations and Humanitarian Representation Coordinator (IOHRC), who is based in Geneva.

A key function of the HRT is to expand, nurture and maintain active relations with its networks in order to provide MSF operations with the support it needs to achieve its goals, such as increasing leverage for MSF in contexts where access is challenging.

The HRT also influences its network and relevant actors through specific actions to benefit MSF programs and further MSF operations’ goals.

III. THE HRT IN AFRICA

The HRT has already an established presence in East and Central Africa with the presence of the HRT Representative to East and Central Africa and the HRT Representative to the African Union and African CDC also in Nairobi/Addis Abeba.

IV. THE HRT IN WEST AFRICA

The Humanitarian Representative for West Africa will allow to enhance the geographical support the HRT can provide to operations in the African region, and to liaise with existing MSF offices in West African countries.

The HRT West Africa is a regional-mobile position. Initially based in Dakar, the Humanitarian Representative for West Africa will be frequently travelling within the region, also on a short notice, based on representation and networking needs, and in collaboration with the HRT positions in Africa. The location might be re-considered after the initial period.

The position of Humanitarian Representative for West Africa will:

• Be hierarchically accountable to the International Operations and Humanitarian Representation Coordinator (IOHRC)
• Liaise on regular basis with the Nigeria and Sahel desks and advocacy focal points, the General Director of the MSF Operational Directorate in West and Central Africa (MSF WaCA), the executive officer of the MSF Dakar Office, as well as with other colleagues exerting representation functions in the West African Region, to define and review representation and engagement priorities and plans.
• The HRT West Africa Representative will facilitate the region’s interdesks.
• The position will be expected to work in close collaboration with the HRT Representative for East and Central Africa and with the HRT Representative to the African Union and Africa CDC based in Nairobi.
• The position may act as a back-up of the HRT Representative for East and Central Africa and with the HRT Representative to the African Union and Africa CDC in case of need.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REPRESENTATIVE

• Implements and helps define the medical and humanitarian diplomacy strategy towards key (state and non-state) stakeholders of West African regional platforms, in support of MSF movement-wide objectives and in collaboration with MSF Dakar office, MSF WACA, Representatives and the MSF sections liaisons.
• The position will cover ECOWAS, the “Autorité du Development Integré du Liptako Gourma” and other regional or international bodies such as the African Development Bank or the World Bank for, which specific engagement strategies will be developed.
• The position will liaise with the UN regional bodies, in particular with UNOCHA, WFP, UNICEF, WHO Afro, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), , IASC agencies and ICVA and other INGOs regional representations, but also with donors and other special envoys for Sahel etc etc
• In collaboration with the HRT East Africa team and with operations, if needed the position may engage with the SADC network.
• Improves and supports MSF’s understanding of the regions and represents the region’s agenda within MSF.
• Ensures the lead in knowledge management of networking and representation initiatives, including within the MSF offices, HRT Network and entities in the region.
• Together with the HRT East Africa and the HRT Representative to the African Union and African CDC will contribute to the definition of a comprehensive and consistent humanitarian representation strategy for MSF within the African continent.

VI. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

General:

• Contribute to the development of MSF representation and diplomacy objectives in support of MSF operations in West African, utilising the regional viewpoint.
• Develop and implement the strategies and plans to deliver relevant messages to key interlocutors to West African based entities and dialogue partners.
• Define an effective and agile system to coordinate and ensure an effective information flow with MSF spokesperson in Sahel to follow-up on the implementation of the plan.
• Provide MSF with information, analysis and advise on relevant regional issues and humanitarian ecosystem.
• Maintain effective linkages within the HRT team, with other MSF regional and international entities including with relevant working groups and promote coherent messaging within the region.
• Provide advice to Operational Centres, Section offices and International office on new opportunities and threats to MSF medical and humanitarian objectives arising in/from West Africa as deemed relevant to the West African based platforms and partners.
• Accountable for delivering relevant strategic objectives on time and on budget.
• Exemplify, by his/her actions and conduct, the principles and mission of MSF.
• Ensure effective facilitation and follow up with and for the MSF “Interdesks” (MSF internal operational coordination platforms) for Nigeria; possibly others upon request by the IOHRC and/or the RIOD.

Humanitarian Diplomacy:

• Introduce and promote selected MSF diplomacy objectives through attendance to relevant meetings and workshops, and through strategic interactions with the officials, diplomats and related institutions.
• Review and regular update network mapping and analysis of regional policies and stakeholders related to issues relevant to MSF.
• Develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts with key actors and stakeholders in the region.
• Identify meetings, events or other opportunities in the West Africa that are relevant to MSF or useful to raise MSF’s profile in the humanitarian community and ensure appropriate MSF participation in them.
• Ensure that in-depth analyses of assigned contexts/themes are conducted and maintain an overview of MSF’s involvement in these issues.
• Stay abreast of the medical and humanitarian challenges faced by the populations in assigned contexts.
• Support the Operational Centres, in co-operation with other HRT members and other advocacy units, to develop coherent MSF messages on the salient humanitarian concerns encountered in the field, and develop the strategies needed to pursue these issues in regional platforms.
• Produce and disseminate relevant written material for internal or external briefings to convey MSF position as and when required.
• Prepare, organize and facilitate meetings between MSF representatives and stakeholders within the region. Ensure that these are properly reported and shared in a timely manner.

“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
• Facilitate the identification of important challenges and opportunities for operations (internal and external).

IV. JOB REQUIREMENT

Essential requirements

• Substantial operational field experience with MSF (or similar INGO) in a broad range of contexts.
• Solid experience in humanitarian diplomacy, preferably in West Africa.
• Solid professional knowledge of West African society, culture, civil society, humanitarian and aid networks, and political systems including at least 5 years of professional experience in Africa.
• Strong public communications skills and diplomatic character.
• Excellent analytic capability and strong writing skills.
• Fluency in English and French (oral and written); additional languages are an advantage.
• Ability to work independently; capacity to take initiatives and seize opportunities.
• Availability to travel to both other MSF offices and field projects
• commitment to the aims and values of MSF
• Strong time management and general organisational skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office

Desirable requirements

• From a medical, paramedical or Public Health background

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.