Health Policy & Advocacy Advisor & Global Fund Focal Point, Brussels 47 views

Organization: Médecins Sans Frontières Belgique (MSF)
Country: Belgium
City: Brussels
Office: MSF Brussels
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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 60 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.
MSF Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) is looking for a:
Health Policy & Advocacy Advisor & Global Fund Focal Point (m/f/x)
CONTEXT
The Analysis Department & The Heath Politics Team
The role of the MSF OCB Analysis Department is to support and critically engage with operations in navigating MSF’s political environment and in overcoming the obstacles faced by patients and operations. The team’s role is to build in-depth analysis of MSF’s environment and to implement strategies alongside operations to address those challenges, be it through public positioning, advocacy, networking, negotiations or the development of innovative operational models.
The analysis department is a multi-disciplinary team that contributes to the MSF-OCB social mission through the following objectives: 1. To conduct in depth humanitarian and health policy related research/reflection;
2. To strengthen context analysis and negotiation/networking capacity
3. To take public positions on politics of health and humanitarianism based on MSF’s operational experiences.
4. To develop and implement advocacy strategies, rooted in our operations, as a tool to achieve change
5. To support in the development of innovative operational approaches and models of care
6. To design data collection methods for the purposes of advocacy and analysis
The department has 4 thematic teams: a Forced Migration Team; a Health Politics Team; a Conflict and Humanitarianism Team; and a Humanitarian Access and Networking Team. It also includes a Knowledge Management and Learning Focal Point as well as two polyvalent Senior Humanitarian Specialists.
Within OCB’s Analysis department, the Health Politics Team (HPT) is in particular analysing existing and emerging health policies, the political factors behind them and how this affects the environment in which MSF operates. The HPT contributes to MSF’s networking, information collection, analysis, positioning, policy exchange and advocacy.
This position is combining responsibilities in analysis & advocacy of health policy dossiers that have relevance and consequence for MSF and a specific role as focal point for the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and malaria (GFATM or GF). The latter role as focal point goes beyond the realm of OCB and provides support to all MSF-operational sections and MSF in general; the role as GF focal point/liaison is expected to take up around 50% of the position.
Besides direct interventions to improve availability and access of health care and support to service delivery, MSF plays also a role in influencing health policies and practices, combining work on technical and political issues. MSF’s analysis of our experience and of the health landscape in which we operate, allows to improve strategic operational engagement, to determine the organization’s position on key issues, to speak out against certain problems and to advocate for action to improve the health and humanitarian response, especially for the most vulnerable, excluded and/or marginalized people.
The Global Fund is a key global actor with high relevance for MSF, both in terms as the main funding agency for country plans for HIV, TB, malaria and health systems, but in particular as a key actor influencing policies at country and global level. Recently the GF has also taken on a prominent role in funding and supplies for Covid-19; moreover, an expanded role for pandemic preparedness and response is currently discussed. Beyond the role as focal point/liaison officer for the GF, this position is focusing on dossiers related to epidemics, outbreaks and pandemics. It implies policy analysis as well as hands-on support to operations during acute outbreaks (such as support to task force etc). Responsibilities for other topics might be added, depending on arising or shifting priorities within the HPT and the Analysis Department.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Global Fund liaison function and related analysis and advocacy (across MSF sections)
1.1. Overarching responsibilities
Lead on engagement with key GF structures and stakeholders, including Secretariat Staff, governance structures (in particular the Developed Country NGO delegation of the GF board), the Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) and other civil society communities.
This includes: facilitation, orientation and quality improvement of MSF teams’ interactions with key platforms and resource people within the GF; representation and advance MSF’s positions, and share MSF’s field-based expertise and experiences, to better inform and influence Global Fund policy and practice; organize high-level meetings for MSF representatives with GF stakeholders on key concerns and issues that impact on the movement and facilitate meeting and contact with GF country teams and other support functions to liaise on operational issues; be the key internal resource for MSF Communications, Positioning and Advocacy to ensure GF-related media and messaging is both strategically and factually sound.
1.2. Support to Operations (policy and advocacy advisory support)
Support to MSF operations from all sections across all levels, on how to leverage engagement with GF stakeholders to advance MSF advocacy and operational priorities, including promoting missions/ops’ understanding of relevant GF policies, funding modalities etc and support missions’ ongoing efforts in relaying experiences on operational bottlenecks and advocating for improved GF program implementation.
1.3. Monitor, analyse and influence GF high-level strategies and policies
Analyse GF policies and funding decisions for briefings to inform internal MSF discussions; maintain an up-to-date briefing pack on the GF for the MSF movement; provide input into MSF’s strategic positioning towards the GF and the various actors involved; share with wider MSF (GHAN network) information and compare analyses on trends in global health environment.
1.4. Monitor and influence GFs resource mobilisation
Provide guidance and input into MSF’s strategic positioning towards the GF, including analysis of GF resource mobilisation efforts, donor behaviours and implication of funding shortfall mitigation measures on country programs; specific country situation analyses of GF (and other) funding commitments and perspectives (such as financial gap analysis and strategic funding and policy priorities).
1.5. Analysing GFs role within the broader global health architecture
Analyse the GF role in the global heatlh ecosytem and provide input into MSF’s strategic positioning towards the GF and its various stakeholders; linking to other Global Health Actor focal points within MSF to share information and compare analyses on trends in global health (donor) environment. This includes: Analysis of GF’s Covid-19- related supply and funding mechanisms (ACTA; diagnostics, oxygen, therapeutics; health systems support; mitigating Covid19-effects on HIV/TB/malaria; etc), of the GF’s role in the wider global health system, its influence on wider policy and financing appraoches in global health (e.g. on private sector in serive delivery and digital health).
Analysis, Positioning & Advocacy within the dossier of epidemics & pandemics
This part of the position covers contribution to the HPT’s work on strategic issues related to epidemics and pandemics. The countries involved and the diseases at their basis will vary over time. At present these priority areas are included:
Current pandemic of Covid-19 (in collaboration with others in HPT and the department)
Epidemic outbreak risks as a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis and reduced coverage of routine health services (example of measles).
The link of pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) with global health security agenda’s
Changing Ebola response landscape and MSF’s role
Emerging outbreaks with pandemic potential.
In collaboration with others in the department, the following tasks are highlighted:
Lead and contribute to strategic reflection and analysis on MSF’s role and position during epidemic outbreaks and pandemic crises.
Build OCB’s position on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and contribute to MSF’s overall position together with other sections and the international office.
Monitor various political and resource commitments, key policy areas and implementation of pandemic response.
Build and expand the relevant network with technical experts, academics, communities, CSO & NGOs, implementing agencies and financing actors in terms of epidemics and pandemics.
Conduct in-depth policy analysis and advocacy support on prioritized thematics.
Provide support to the operations department, missions and projects in relevant strategies for improved operational interventions, policy dialogue and advocacy.
Provide support to the Emergency pool in their approach to epidemic outbreaks as needed.
Document and contribute to lessons learned in epidemic response and pandemic related issues.
In collaboration with others in the analysis department, contribute to analysis and positioning in terms of changing emergency aid policies, system and organizational set-ups by key actors (WHO, UN, World Bank, major donors).
Contribute to OCB’s and MSF’s overall analysis and position towards policies and declarations on Pandemic preparedness & reponse in the global health arena.
When needed participate in or contribute to MSF task forces constituted as part of pandemic response.
Other Policy analysis and advocacy contributions to dossiers in the HPT or department action plan
As part of the HPTeam, we expect the person also to take on or contribute actively to tasks that are part of the common action plan of the team and the department, as required.
This includes among others: Follow up of certain specific contexts and projects; do field visits as required for specific in depth analysis and mission/project support; engage internally and externally in the MSF global health debates and platforms to share HPT analysis and contribute towards improved understanding of global health actors and issues; contribute and participate in training, knowledge management, internal and external dissemination, technical support to ops in analysis and advocacy etc.; support organisation of webinars and events, including the annual Global Health Pop-up meeting; write or contribute to publications, such as reports, peer reviewed articles, op-eds and comment/debate pieces; briefing and debriefing of key people on specific thematics and/or projects; participate and contribute to the transversal work done in the GHAN as needed.
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience
Academic background to Masters’ level
(Para-)medical degree or Masters’ Degree in a health-related field is an asset
Significant experience (at least 3 years) with MSF or another humanitarian health organization
Solid experience in advocacy with MSF or other NGOs is required
Experience and expertise with Global Fund and other global health initiatives is a strong asset
Knowledge/experience or strong interest of current issues relating to epidemics, pandemics and related health policies is a strong asset
Competencies
Strong networking skills and activist connections in global health
Strong analytical skills and capacity to develop and implement a strategic vision
Ability to work independently, take initiatives and seize opportunities
Excellent writing and redaction skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to represent MSF toward multiple counterparts and willingness to act as a spokesperson
Excellent communication skills
Team player
Language skills
Fluency in English, knowledge of French is a prerequisite
CONDITIONS
Expected starting date: 1 June 2022.
Contract type: Open-ended contract – Full time
Location: Based in Brussels or Geneva; other OCB offices can be considered if specific advantages to location; however, location in time zone compatible with frequent interactions with Geneva and Brussels.
Availability to travel extensively and work irregular hours.
Benefit package: Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid if based in Brussels – Meal Vouchers – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs. Divergent package when alternative basis (specifics to be determined according to location and conditions of HR-policy)
Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment.
Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments.
Deadline for applications: 15 May 2022
How to apply?
Please, send your CV and cover letter to Recruit-HQ-DG@brussels.msf.org and mention “HP Advisor/GF Focal Point” in the subject of your email.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
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