MSF Middle East Support Office is currently looking for a:

ADVOCACY ADVISOR

Middle East Support Office

Department: OPERATIONS   Level: 13 IRFFG (OC07400 G)

Starting date: Workplace: Amman with regular and frequent field visits

Functional line management of HAOs and AMs in portfolio, providing direct guidance and support             Duration: 3 years, renewable once

Reports hierarchically to the Head of the MESO

Mobility: Regular and frequent visits (expected 40-50% of the time in the field) to the missions supported (currently Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Kenya, Tanzania and Syria, depending on SY mission opening) and possible gap filling for critical positions

Functional reporting line to the Head of the Advocacy Unit and the Cells RPs               Internal relationships: other MESO team members, Advocacy Unit, Cell 5 (RP, ARP and RMP), Operational Communication Advisor, Field Advocacy staff, Field teams, including HoMs, Medcos, PCs and PMRs, HQ departments, with a specific emphasis on Operations, Medical, Comms, L&D Departments and UREPH, the Humanitarian Representation Team network, and HAA Counterparts in all other MSF entities

External relationships: Organizations in the humanitarian and health sectors; any other institutions or networks relevant to the work

CONTEXT

OCG presence in Amman Hub:

TOCG has been developing its presence in Amman with a delocalized structure created to support the quality of our operations in the region and beyond. Its includes: 

•             The Operational Cell 5 directly managed by a Head of Desk, which current portfolio includes Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. The team is composed by the Head of Desk, Deputy Head of Desk, Medical Program Responsible, HR Advisor, Fin Advisor, Log Advisor, Strategic Communication Advisor, Supply Referent and Desk Assistant

•             The MESO (Middle East Support Office) directly managed by the Head of MESO, that includes advisory, implementers and support positions providing technical and operational support to the field missions. The team is composed by Medical Team Leader, Lab, IPC, Nursing Care and AMR/Infectious Disease team, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, Project Officer, Legal Advisor, Mobility Strategic Lead, Regional Technical Referent Energy and HVAC as well as operational and medical flying positions

•             An intersectional Amman Mutualized Support Office (AMSO) for Finance/HR/Admin/Log/IT that supports both OCG, OCA and OCBA teams in Amman. The AMSO is managed by the Head of Resources and it’s under the direct management of OCA

The Middle East Support Office (MESO) is the HQ office of OCG in Amman, Jordan. Its purpose is to support MSF programs in the face of the growing complexity of intervention contexts and new challenges in the Middle East and beyond. MESO joins other MSF structures already present in the region, including OCBA, OCP and OCA in Jordan. Together, we aim to generate a strong dynamic in the Middle East, to better understand its challenges and problems, and gain a clearer picture of the medical and humanitarian issues that MSF needs to address.

Amman Hub will contribute to OCG Strategic Plan (SP) 2020-2025 focusing on 3 main pillars:

•             Promote relevant humanitarian-medical-operational analysis, negotiation and advocacy initiatives in the region and beyond

•             Provide direct technical and operational support and ensure continuity of operations

•             Contribute to the development and well-being of MSF Global workforce

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES – OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

In close collaboration with the Head of MESO, the HQ Advocacy Unit and Programs Responsibles (RPs), the MESO Advocacy Advisor advises and supports missions and desks in the region on analysis and positioning.

The AA is responsible for supporting missions and operational cells in analysis, development and implementation of advocacy strategies, and in the definition of OCG positioning on key operational stakes and specific thematic. The AA is further responsible for supporting operational analysis aimed at providing in-depth understanding of OCG’s operational environments to missions and cells, particularly related to humanitarian needs and response. The AA is to focus on enhancing OCG’s operational capacity to engage effectively with local and international stakeholders.

As part of the MESO, the AA works with the rest of the team in developing analysis, tools and support to the missions assigned to his/her portfolio.

At cell level, the AA primarily works with the RP, the deputy (ARP), the Medical Program Responsible (RMP) and the Communication Advisor (CA).

The AA interacts with mission team (especially Field Advocacy staff, HoMs, Medical Coordinators, Communication Managers) on issues related to analysis, advocacy and positioning while acting as technical referent to field advocacy staff. The AA interacts as well with analysis, negotiation, legal, and security advisors. As part of the OCG Advocacy Unit, the AA participates in the Advocacy Unit regular meetings and discussions. Across the MSF movement, the AA interacts with MSF’s Humanitarian Representation Team network and advisor-level counterparts in all other MSF entities, where applicable.

Main responsibilities:

In close collaboration with the Head of MESO, the OCG Advocacy Unit, and Program Responsible (RPs), the MESO Advocacy Advisor (AA) supports missions and desks in the region on advocacy, analysis, and operational positioning. The AA helps develop and implement advocacy strategies, strengthens missions’ understanding of humanitarian needs, and reinforces OCG’s engagement with stakeholders at local and international levels.

The AA works alongside the MESO team to provide analysis, tools, and support to missions. At cell level, the AA works closely with RPs, deputy RPs (ARPs), Medical Program Responsible (RMPs), and Communication Advisors (CAs), as well as the in-country mission teams, including field advocacy staff, HoMs, Medical Coordinators, and Communication Managers.

The AA also serves as technical referent for advocacy, interacting with various departments such as negotiation, legal, and security advisors while contributing to the wider MSF movement advocacy efforts, collaborating with MSF’s Humanitarian Representation Team and similar advisor-level counterparts across MSF entities.

Main Responsibilities

1. Advisory role on advocacy and positioning

•             Provide strategic advice to RPs/ARPs and Heads of Mission on political, humanitarian, and public health/medical contextual developments, to spearhead advocacy efforts

•             Support the gathering and analysis of data to inform humanitarian and medical advocacy initiatives

•             Ensure advocacy efforts are a collective responsibility, involving operational, medical, communication, and negotiation functions

•             Facilitate positioning discussions in collaboration with relevant teams and stakeholders

2. Development, continuity and implementation of advocacy strategies

•             Identify key advocacy issues with mission teams and support the development and implementation of advocacy strategies

•             Serves as a technical reference for advocacy tools, methodologies, and data collection to ensure evidence-based responses

•             Leads or support the drafting of position papers, briefing documents, and public reports

•             Provides technical support and guidance to field advocacy staff, ensuring advocacy strategies are aligned with operational, medical, and communication goals.

•             Participates in HR planning and resource allocation for advocacy efforts within the region.

•             Coordinates external engagement efforts with MSF Humanitarian Representation and other relevant networks.

3. Defining MSF OCG positioning

•             Provides strategic inputs on key operational and advocacy issues to support coherent MSF OCG positioning.

•             Collaborates closely with operational, medical, and communication teams to develop and disseminate positioning on relevant issues.

•             Engages with experts within MSF and externally to inform positioning efforts.

4. Contribute to operational analysis and advocacy

•             Contributes to increasing knowledge of the medical and humanitarian environments in the assigned portfolio of countries through analysis.

•             Provides strategic inputs to missions and strengthens networks that support operational and analytical work.

•             Monitors the evolution of the aid and health sectors across the assigned portfolio of countries and supports global-level operational analysis.

•             Strengthens MSF’s understanding of political, security, and humanitarian dynamics while ensuring a robust analytical network is in place.

•             Depending on his/her experience, the AA may be deployed to field missions to provide direct operational support or fill gaps as needed.

5. Participation in Advocacy Unit and MSF OCG advocacy development

•             Stays informed on the evolution of the humanitarian and health sectors

•             Collaborates with internal and external experts related to MSF’s medical-operational needs

•             Supports the development of advocacy learning and training initiatives within MSF OCG.

•             Contributes to internal knowledge management (improvement of advocacy tools, HR capacity) and to the overall development of the advocacy function within MSF OCG.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

?             Master’s degree in social sciences, international relations, political sciences, global/public health, international law, or equivalent.

Experience

?             At least 5 years of experience with international organizations in the humanitarian sector in fields related to MSF work (e.g. humanitarian action, health sector, protection, etc)

?             Extensive experience in humanitarian operations and aid system dynamics essential

?             Extensive knowledge and understanding of the current issues and trends in the humanitarian and medical sectors

?             At least 2 years field experience in humanitarian affairs or advocacy roles in the humanitarian field, preferably with MSF

?             Experience in conducting research / methodologies of data collection and analysis

?             Experience in coordination / advisory / coaching / mentoring roles is a plus

?             Experience in operational roles in humanitarian organization a strong asset

Language

?             English advanced level is mandatory

?             Arabic and French are assets

Technical competencies

?             Strong analytical capacity and ability to translate complex analysis into concise, clear, and actionable conclusions and recommendations

?             High-level advocacy expertise

?             Familiarity and sensitivity to humanitarian needs and humanitarian access in challenging contexts

?             Capacity to facilitate collective discussions and drive learning events/trainings

?             Strategic thinking capacity

?             Ability to conduct training sessions

?             Competent writing skills (English)

?             Essential computer literacy (MS package and internet literacy)

Personal competencies :

?             Excellent ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, gender-responsive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.

?             Driven by humanitarian principles and upholding principled humanitarian action

?             Dynamic, adaptable and can work under pressure

?             Strong analytical skills

?             Strong organization skills

?             Good interpersonal skills

?             Flexible

?             Team player

?             Ability to work independently

Applications (curriculum vitae in English + cover letter) must be submitted no later than the 23^rd of April 2025. In the email subject line, please state the job title, ADVOCACY ADVISOR, in English.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating 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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