Jobs at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Access to Products for Healthcare (50%) 

​Planning 

• Participate in the revision and validation of the APH Structure Strategic Plan and present them to the represented sections before their submissions to MSF Executive Committee (ExCom). 
• Participate in the design and review of the APH Annual Planning process that will be presented to the APH executive board. 
• Work with structure management team on defining plans, internal policies, and validation process. 
• Keep track of APH initiative and plans across the represented sections and their respective positions on matters of APH. 

​APH Projects 

• Initiate and propose APH related projects to APH structure management team. 
• Design projects in consistent with APH six core activities that are relevant to EA region and movement-wide priorities. 
• Research and provide relevant data and information on specific APH projects to the respective sections for advocacy and information sharing. 
• Regularly update the respective sections on ongoing APH project progress, outcomes, challenges, and articulate needs for support. 
• Flag, with analysis, to represented sections on APH project with potential reputational or operational risks to MSF globally, and/or regionally, with the objective of averting untoward effects on MSF. 

​Coordination 

• Bridge information exchanges between represented sections and the APH structures. 
• Gather, analyze and inform on APH Problem Statements/Priorities from Sections represented by the position. 
• Reflect with represented Sections, in group or bilateral, on engagement with APH structure. management team on processes, policy updates, and consolidate feedback to APH structure. 
• Keep regular contact and working relationship with APH Structure Staff (particularly with EA Regional Coordination) to identify synergies, avoid duplications and find common grounds to improve access to products for healthcare. 
• Engage with MSF entities that feed into MSF access (APH) related ambitions in their set-up, including but not limited to, EA PHU. 

​Executive Board 

• Represent the Sections’ agenda on the APH Executive Board Meetings. 
• Participate in the appointment of Executive Director and a chair to the Executive Board. 
• As an EBM, review and feedback on the APH strategic plan content and development process.  
• Assume collective accountability, as an Executive Board Member (EBM), for the content of external communications from the APH structure. 
• Support the Change plan of Access Campaign (AC) to the APH model and highlight challenges to the represented sections. As an EBM, oversee and review the Organizational Change Model progress on its deliverables. 
• Participate in drafting and reviewing of SEB regulations before submission for validation by the Full ExCom.  

​Communication, Engagement and Networking 

• Draft and/or review a validation process for sensitive external communication pieces from the APH structure. 
• Travel and report to missions/projects in Eastern Africa Region in order to witness, understand, and reflect on healthcare access challenges to populations in distress. 
• Discuss current and future APH projects with field for their relevance and impact for access to healthcare. 
• Engage with MSF stakeholders and other academic and research institutions on potential operational research ideas that fit into the APH objectives, in collaboration with the public health unit 
• Network with other research, humanitarian and charity organizations in EA region who are working on access to products of healthcare in humanitarian settings, for experience sharing/learning, and dissemination of MSF products.  

​Other key considerations 

• It is important to clarify what responsibilities do not fall under their purview to prevent role confusion and ensure efficient collaboration with other departments. Here are some key considerations for aspects that the role does not apply to: 
• The role does not serve as the ultimate regulatory body for product approvals. 
• It is not responsible for authorizing product licensing or compliance certification, which typically falls under regulatory affairs or legal teams. 
• The lead is not involved in the day-to-day logistics of procurement, warehousing, or distribution of healthcare products. 
• The role does not involve direct management of research and development activities like drug formulation, clinical trials, or product innovation. It may, however, collaborate with research and development projects to align new product development with access strategies. 
• The lead does not oversee product sales, pricing strategies, or commercial marketing activities. 
• The role does not involve providing direct healthcare or clinical services to patients. It focuses on systemic access issues rather than individual patient care or case management. 
• While the lead may recommend partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., governments, NGOs, manufacturers), s/he is not the sole decision-maker. 
• The lead is not the sole driver of healthcare policy reform or advocacy campaigns. 
• Although the role contributes to improving equitable access, it is not solely responsible while the role may support access strategies during crises, it is not responsible for leading emergency response operations or managing crises directly

MSF Eastern Africa (50%). 

• Contribute to strengthening MSF EA’s strategic engagement network in the region, working on a range of topics.  

​Networking  

• Engage with a range of predefined stakeholders, including government agencies, multilateral organizations, universities, academics, think tanks, also focusing on specific topics and related platforms.  
• Engage with governments in countries where MSF does not operate but are regionally relevant to the crises we respond to. 
• Identify topics, produce relevant materials, and represent MSF by hosting regular events, meetings and briefings.  

​Analysis  

• In close collaboration with multiple internal stakeholders such as the Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT) members and other relevant colleagues, provide advice and support to the development of MSF’s analysis and understanding of the region, as well as advocacy messages and engagement strategies led by others working in Eastern Africa as needed. 
• Remain updated on operational and thematic topics of relevance to the populations MSF assists in the Eastern Africa region. 

​Coordination  

• Develop a user-friendly stakeholders/actors’ database. 
• Lead the mapping of actors, wider community and opportunities (meetings, platforms) of relevance for MSF´s networking and representation activities in Eastern Africa across. 
• Track, brief and report on engagement activities and outcomes, to a range of MSF stakeholders across the movement to support our operations and advocacy efforts. 
• Collaborate with existing resources focused on operations, advocacy and representation to define gaps and minimize duplication.  
• Provide back up for advocacy and representation colleagues in the region as needed. 

​Other Responsibilities  

• Member of MSF EA Extended Management Team. 
• Member of the Executive Board of APH.  
• Works in close tandem with the APH Structure Management Team - representing - MSF Denmark, MSF Eastern Africa, MSF Germany, MSF Norway, MSF Sweden and MSF UK.  
• Works in tandem with the APH Hub (Eastern and Southern Africa) Representative. 
• Works in collaboration and tandem with MSF EA public health unit. 

Education

• A Medical or Paramedical degree from a recognized institution. 
• A Master's degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Pharmacy or Medicine, Health Economics or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. 

Experience

• At least five (5) years of MSF Field experience in at least three (3) different contexts. 
• At least three (3) years' experience in managing access to medicines, medical devices, or diagnostics at the strategic level in low-resource settings. 
• Familiarity with essential medicine policies, frameworks and global health initiatives (e.g., WHO, Global Fund, GAVI). 
• Demonstrated experience in health/medical qualitative and quantitative research methods. 
• Proven track record of engaging with stakeholders to address barriers to healthcare access. 
• Experience in advocating for price reductions, intellectual property flexibilities (e.g., TRIPS waiver), and equitable distribution is an added value.
• Demonstrated knowledge of medical humanitarian issues and solid knowledge of or experience in the East and Southern Africa region. 
• Knowledge and understanding of how MSF home Offices Operate. 
• Basic knowledge of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law is an asset.  

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Accountabilities

• In collaboration with the Country Management Team (CMT), and the WatSan Advisor, elaborating the WatSan strategies and activities for the country and /or mission, ensuring compliance with essential WatSan requirements, in order to prioritize objectives and plan activities accordingly 
• In collaboration with medical teams, conducting assessments, identifying WatSan needs, and based on findings, recommending appropriate responses to CMT. Contributing to the development of project proposals and/or work plans, when WatSan is integrated in medical interventions 
• Being responsible at mission level for the supervision and monitoring of the WatSan activities, ensuring that the works are done following MSF protocols, national policies and state regulations and project specifications. 
• Validating the technicity of the WatSan projects in the mission, participating in the planning, project design and development and ensuring compliance with the local legislation and practices. 
• Planning and organizing, in collaboration with the Logistics Coordinator, the purchase of required materials and equipment, in order to ensure appropriate technical specifications, stock management and timely deliveries 
• Developing community participation strategies related to the improvement of WatSan practices, engaging local authorities or other non-governmental actors, in order to improve the standard of living conditions of the target population 
• Coordinating the implementation of WatSan reporting systems, project standards and indicators (both qualitative and financial) in order to ensure the expected quality, terms and costs and to early detect/report potential deviations and propose solutions, in collaboration with the Medical, Logistical and the Financial Coordinators 
• Identifying, collaborating and providing main support in the WatSan technical representatives of the national interlocutors like ministries or national suppliers. Preparing all WatSan technical content in the national and international tenders and participating in the selection committee. 
• Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR Co, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her hierarchical supervision in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required 
• Writing the WatSan part of SitRep, monthly WatSan reports, collaborating with other members of CMT for quarterly reports 

Operational support 

• Technical referent in terms of Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, Planetary Health, and Biosecurity in the fields where he/she intervenes. 
• Elaborates the national policies, guidelines, and standardization of a common practice in his/her area of specialization and validates budgets and all the means for the preparation of any technical activity related to the domain.  
• In liaison with the coordination teams and field managers, assesses the needs and determine the activities to be carried out and the necessary resources (financial, human, material) by setting the priorities of the projects.  
• Assists in defining and sizing the facilities to be built according to the assessed needs. 
• Ensures consistency between activities and MSF standards. 
• Communicates with representatives of the different Wash organizations: NGOs, UN, and Government. Ensures good coordination with other actors and implements advocacy actions decided in coordination. 
• Participate in any relevant WASH Sectorial meeting at the field or national level (National Ebola Task Force, Dagahaley, Mombasa, Coordination meetings, etc) 
• Following up and reporting on the works' progress and technical aspects of the work, participating in monthly reports at the coordination level according to guidelines  
• Participate in the exploration missions to identify WASH needs and draft the proposal/intervention strategy 
• Participates in the EPREP wash and support Supply Kenya Intersection department (SKID) team for technical validation, inventories, etc. 

Biosecurity/IPC: 

• In collaboration with the medical department, in case of any epidemic context change, revise the IPC measures for MSF projects (Covid, Cholera, Ebola possibly) and possibly MoH structures. 
• Give training following MSF OCG-defined protocols and policies. 

HR 

• Coach/Give support to the Log manager/Watsan manager/ wash supervisors (especially first missions) and plan any Wash-relevant training. 
• Participates in defining objectives and evaluating the Watsan manager and wash supervisors. 
• Validation and proposal of the HR setup according to the evolution of the mission and the activity and the need for skills. 

Planetary Health 

• Ensuring all types of waste generated in the mission are treated in an Eco-friendly manner. 
• Acting as the lead person for supporting and implementing the organization's ambition for planetary health in the country. 

Requirements

Education 

• Degree in Engineering or an equivalent relevant training 

Experience 

• Previous MSF experience as a Watsan required, preferably in low-income countries 

Languages  

• English and Swahili