Position HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER – Aden

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an International, independently funded, non-profit, humanitarian medical organization that offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural and manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflict without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. MSFH is pleased to announce the following position based in Aden with very frequent visits to Marib and Taiz city: 

Title: HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER – Aden 
Generic Function:  HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICER (HAO)
Code: OS01400
Level:  8   (E)
    
Position in the Organization

Reports to (Hierarchical):  Humanitarian Affairs Manager (HAM)
Reports to (Functional):  Humanitarian Affairs Manager
Job Family:  Operations
Supervises (Function):  N/A

Main Purpose

Contribute to the development of humanitarian affairs activities in the Mission by supporting the Management Coordination Team in the analysis of context, humanitarian situation, security and in the definition of advocacy strategies, according to MSF policies and values, in order to improve the humanitarian and human rights situation among population.

Accountabilities

• Perform data collection and research concerning local and international context, with regards to security, medical, nutritional and humanitarian issues, in order to provide reliable information for further decision-making. 
• Support the Head of Mission and Project Coordinators in the analysis of the data collected, in order to better orientate the programmes and projects, to provide an optimal response to population needs. 
• Compile regular updates of the ongoing (inter-)national activities and plans of NGO’s, UN, ICRC, donors, authorities and other actors on lobby, policy and operational plans and initiatives in order to adequate MSF ’s activities and objectives. 
• Collaborate with the HAM, PCs and HoM, the OSCAR Department at HQ and other relevant parties to develop a coherent global strategy, in order to address the humanitarian situation. 
• Define and review messages, tools, lobbying activities and other advocacy action plans and strategies, in order to raise all humanitarian issues in the mission and seek assistance and protection to affected population. 
• Ensure smooth working relationship with local authorities, other NGO’s, local communities and other factors, in order to facilitate MSF teams a better access to the population and improve MSF activities’ coordination with third parties. 
• Organize discussions, trainings, briefings, etc. about human rights and humanitarian law issues and current and future advocacy activities, in order to raise awareness of MSF staff regarding these matters. 
• Participates in the elaboration and updating of the Country and Project Risk Analysis 
• Promotes and assists in the implementation of advocacy activities locally, nationally and internationally. 

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

The position will be based in MSF Aden office with frequent travels/visits to Marib and Taiz city projects (ming 30% of the time) and when relevant, potential new area of interest for MSF operations (exploratory activities) in order to keep close relation and collaboration with the project teams and to undertake direct humanitarian monitoring and assessments.
The HAO will work closely with the Humanitarian Affairs team in Yemen (Humanitarian Affairs Manager – HAM MSF H and intersection, Sanaa Coordination HAO) as well as the entire Operations and Medical teams at mission and project level, with a focus on Marib, Taiz city and Aden.

Context monitoring and humanitarian affairs analysis

• Stakeholder analysis: work alongside the Humanitarian Affairs Manager (HAM) to support Operations and Medical teams in the project and at mission level to undertake regular actor mapping / stakeholder analysis; and to provide guidance / support and advice to MSF teams in the management of relations with local authorities and partners, and overall organizational positioning.
• Data collection and analysis: support the mission and projects teams in their utilization and analysis of MSF humanitarian affairs tools (red-flags, humanitarian logbook, etc.); as well as additional tools as required for the achivement of the advocacy priorities.
• Support the mission and projects teams in analyzing the context in our areas of operations, with a focus on Taiz city, Marib, Aden city and neighboring areas, including security dynamics, political, economic, social and humanitarian and medical issues; in order to inform further decision making. This includes support with regular reporting; and cross analysis of external data and MSF humanitarian and medical data.
• Analyze and provide advice on humanitarian access, safeguarding of humanitarian principles and how to ensure delivery of humanitarian assistance people and communities in need. 
• Undertake regular visits to projects’ activity locations and potential new area of interest for MSF operations (exploratory activities).

Networking and Representation

• Support the teams in Aden, Marib and Taiz city to keep up-to-date contact lists, meeting logbooks for their areas of activity.
• Support and advise the teams in Aden, Marib and Taiz city to establish, ensure coherence and continuity, and coordinate contact and networking with external stakeholders, with a focus on humanitarian, development and health actors; as well as community members. This includes organizing advocacy engagement (contacts, appointments, meeting participation, etc.) and upon delegation from the Operational Management team, represents MSF externally in relevant meetings.

Advocacy

• With the support of the HAM, collaborate with the Operations, Medical and Communications teams at project and coordination level to develop and implement project-level advocacy strategies, including definition of advocacy messages, talking points, briefings and drafting of related material.
• Work alongside the HAM to regularly produce and analyze medical and humanitarian data gathered by MSF and other actors to produce summaries, and briefings to advance advocacy objectives.
• Upon request, and with the support of the HAM, coordinate with the Operations, Medical and Communications teams in order to collect and provide patients, communities and staff testimonities, as well as appropriate advocacy messages.

Miscellanious

• In collaboration with the HAM, brief and debrief new and departing relevant international and national staff on mission  advocacy priorities and medico-humanitarian context. 
• Translate and review documents and act as an interpreter when needed.
• Train and brief staff on MSF identiy, humanitarian principles, international humanitarian and human righs laws, the humanitarian architecture, standards and monitoring, and other relevant topics. 
• Assist in safeguarding and promoting MSF’s image externally.

The above-mentioned activities and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and staff may be assigned additional responsibilities or tasks as required.

Staff are not allowed to chew QAT during working hours. 
Under no circumstances are firearms/weapons allowed in MSF vehicles or on MSF premises.
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Requirements

Education    

• Essential degree in Law, Humanitarian affairs, Political Sciences or related university degree (Anthropology, Social Sciences, Migration studies, Gender studies, Human Rights, Protection, etc.).

Experience    

• Essential previous working experience of at least two years in research, analysis and advocacy.
• Desirable working experience in data collection, reporting and analysis, public communication, policy, lobbying, representation, liaison or any related area.
• Essential experience with MSF, other NGOs, UN Agencies, humanitarian donors or human rights organizations.
• Desirable working experience in Aden. Marib or Taiz Governorates. 

Languages        

• Mission language essential (English). Local language essential Arabic). High-level command (oral and written).

Knowledge    

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• Excellent understanding of MSF’s and humanitarian principles and values
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills (diplomacy, tactfulness, patience, active listening skills, etc.)
• Knowledge of and interest in humanitarian issues
• In-depth contextual knowledge and problem / analysis / research skills
• High level of knowledge, sensitivity and willingness to adapt to  local culture, customs and traditions

Competencies    

• Results and Quality Orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation, in particular willingness and ability to work well as part of multicultural and multidisciplinary team
• Behavioural Flexibility including availability to assist the PC with important context and operational issues that may occur outside of regular working hours, unless otherwise agreed beforehand (e.g. holidays)
• Commitment to MSF principles and values 
• Stress Management