HRT (Humanitarian Representation Team) EA OFFICER (SUDAN DOSSIER)

MSF Eastern Africa is looking for a HRT (Humanitarian Representation Team) EA OFFICER (SUDAN DOSSIER)

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? MSF is an organization committed to promoting diversity and equity by providing equal access to professional opportunities. We understand that women, people of color, indigenous individuals, members of the LGTB+ community, and other underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all the requirements. At MSF-EA, we strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. Therefore, if you’re interested in this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

About MSF Eastern Africa

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.

Rationale/Objective for Position

Since April 15th, 2023, the eruption of the conflict among SAF and RSF forces, has implied a significant increase of networking and engagement at Nairobi level. Many key interlocutors, diplomats, donors, analyst, are based or transit through Nairobi.

The HRT EA has held many of these engagements, but as the conflict seems to have a high probability to continue for at least 1 year, the need of support at Nairobi is eminent.

The purpose of the position of the HRT EA Officer is to support the East Africa Humanitarian Representative in external and internal functions, providing analytical and strategic support.

The HRT officer in Nairobi will follow mainly the Sudan engagements and networks related to humanitarian policies, health, migration and other relevant topics for MSF.

Among main interlocutors at Nairobi level (both at regional and Sudan specific), we have: regional member States Embassies/offices, key major donors, Diplomats and Special Envoys for Sudan and HoA, INGOs, think tanks, Sudanese intellectual diaspora, politicians, and IGAD

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the HRT EA and the Intersectional Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator in Sudan.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Support internal coordination and analysis at Interdesk, Head of Mission, and other relevant internal platforms by:

• Interdesk Meetings: – Prepares agenda (with close follow up of action points), attend the weekly Interdesk meeting, prepare minutes, shared with Desks and upload information in relevant platforms (once approval is granted).
• Facilitate intersectional coordination at desk and HRT levels (sharing information, meetings, etc.).
• Analysis & Reflection to Desks and wider HRT –
  • Internal – Act as a “mirror”, flag and provide reflective analysis and recommendations regarding internal, intersectional discrepancies in engagement approach, situational readings, roles and responsibilities, or other topics of intersectional concern. Support the facilitation intersectional best practice, along with HRT EA.
  • External – Provide analysis on key stakeholders, MSF priorities, outcomes, and next steps, for the Nairobi engagement.
• Ensure systematised sharing of information among IHAC, Interdesk, HRT (e.g., meeting minutes, engagement reports, significant news etc.).
• Discussions/information sharing involving operational decisions, developments, strategy, security, etc. will maintain the standard HOM/EmCo to desk line and involve HRT only if/when requested. The HRT to desk line is linked to engagement and representation strategy, planning, outcomes, minutes, frameworks, etc.
• Comms & Advocacy – Closely collaborate with individual sections’ advocacy teams and intersectional comms based in Nairobi. Give insight/opinion if and when requested by HRT EA/Desks/IHAC.
• Tools – Improve and maintain tools for intersectional coordination, manage the engagement and networking portion of the intersectional SharePoint platform, ensure operational information and analysis are shared and updated. This includes engagement tracking, contact lists, proper archiving of minutes, for all the engagements at Nairobi and wider HRT level.

Supports intersectional engagement, networking, and representation in Nairobi:

• Map networks, representation, the engagement opportunities and updates engagement strategy in order to feed the understanding and analysis of the context and raise operational concerns to the different interlocutors for Sudan at Nairobi Level.
• Work in close collaboration with the Sudan Intersectional Advocacy Coordinator -IHAC- and Humanitarian Affairs Advisors.
• Participate on joint analysis for engagements for HRT EA and IHAC.
• Support EA HRT and IHAC on engagements with any Sudan related engagement. Preparation of meetings, minutes and analysis is expected.
• Support the develop, implement, and ensures that intersectionality in ensured/maintained for the engagement, networking, and representation plan and strategy, and the intersectional engagement framework, considering sections’ priorities as dictated by HOMs/EMCOs/DESKs.
• Share a weekly engagement plan with IHAC/Desk to inform them of upcoming meetings and facilitate their participation.
• Propose and organise external meetings, including senior-level visits, and consolidate talking points and/or briefing note (in close collaboration with IHAC).
• When delegated by HRT EA, represent MSF in external meetings, and ensure regular and consistent engagement with key interlocutors, following up on action points.
• Per the above, raise operational concerns to various external interlocutors and advocate/lobby to improve access, security, humanitarian operational space.
• Support networking – Increase contacts and connections within all networks, particularly within Sudanese civil societies, governmental circles, and other spheres of influence, based in Nairobi.
• Contribute to the identification and understanding of influential interlocutors, particularly based in Nairobi and keep updated the intersectional actors’ mapping and intersectional contact lists.
• Analysing and reporting on key humanitarian issues and trends; provide regular updates on humanitarian aid system dynamics (NGO/Donor planning, Red Cross movement activities and positioning) to increase the leverage and the impact of MSF advocacy in line with operational plans, regular activities and medical-humanitarian advocacy objectives.
• Prepare agenda, engagement plan and arrange meetings for Sudan Desks or any other high-level visitor in NBO.

Support the coordination, alignment and information sharing within and to the HRT Secretariat and Network.

• Interface with the HRT team and relevant MSF counterparts involved at HQ level (ILD, Advocacy departments).
• Support the HRT EA on creating synergies and contribute to alignment among regional/global engagements. Inform relevant offices and representatives of upcoming engagement and outcomes/minutes of such engagement.
• Share relevant information to the HRT Secretariat and Network to support Sudan messages and networking.
• Upon request, provide guidance, advice, updates and reflection to MSF representatives within the HRT Secretariat, Network, and Movement to inform and prepare engagement at their levels.
• Maintain updated the relevant Share Points (Sudan and HRT) with engagements done at NBO level.

Deliverables

• Interdesk minutes, prepared, shared and uploaded (once approved by Desks).
• Weekly overview of engagement opportunities at Nairobi and HRT Secretariat and Network for Sudan, to be sent to Desk/IHAC/HRT network.
• Regular updates to notes, contact logbook and engagement tracker based on interactions with external stakeholders.
• Notes from ad hoc calls, attendance at relevant events or conferences, and other internal or external engagements as instructed by HRT EA.
• Talking Points for engagements for HRT (EA and wider HRT), in close coordination with the IHAC.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in humanitarian affairs (field or HQ).
• Degree in political science, international relations, humanitarian action, international development, IHL or related subject.
• Demonstrated familiarity and knowledge of the EA regional humanitarian system, actors and topics related to humanitarian action.
• Languages; English (Arabic is an asset).

Competencies

• Good command in analyzing political and humanitarian contexts; high proficiency both in written and spoken communication.
• Good command in analyzing political and humanitarian contexts; high proficiency both in written and spoken communication.
• Strong writing, research and analytical skills.
• Good computer skills and knowledge of SharePoint.
• Adaptable, ability to work fast on different topics and able to work in a multicultural team.
• Autonomy and flexibility to adjust working schedule to respond to emergencies.
• Ability and adaptability to work under strict deadlines and to replan priorities.
• Understanding of MSF. Able to work in an independent manner.

What We Offer:

• A 1-year renewable full-time employment contract through MSF East Africa Section Office in Nairobi, Kenya.
• An annual salary of EUR 27,145 at HQ Level 8 based on a full-time appointment.
• Global benefit package; includes school fee benefit/support for dependents and other allowances ranging between EUR 620 to 1,159/month based on individual & administrative status.
• Other benefits include; 25 days of annual leave, Employer Pension contribution, Medical Insurance cover (staff and family), Relocation support for non-Kenyan residents etc based on MSF EA terms/conditions.