SENIOR HUMANITARIAN ADVISOR

Médecins Sans Frontières, founded in 1971, is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of medical professionals, logistics, administrative and various other professions, all guided by our medical ethics and our principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

MSF WaCA, created in 2019, is the first MSF headquarters in Africa, and responds to the desire to reinvent the MSF movement after 50 years of humanitarian actions in the world, for more access to care, more reactivity and proactivity for greater medical coverage of affected populations in the world.

Why join us?

You are preparing to become a member of the MSF family, with over 50 years of emergency medical action that earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

We are an inclusive organization that considers social and professional well-being a right for all and provides an environment that considers the diversity of each member.

MSF WaCA claims an African anchorage that considers the local expertise with which it contributes to the implementation of its activities and makes each member, a key actor of the new dynamics of the humanitarian action in the world.

Diversity, Inclusion & Safe Recruitment

MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground.

Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

MSF is committed to applying Safe Recruitment principles, ensuring transparent, fair, and respectful recruitment processes that protect candidates, the organization, and its beneficiaries.

We Are Looking for: SENIOR HUMANITARIAN ADVISOR

Department: General Directorate

Direct Manager: General Director

Functional Manager: General Director

Working %: 100%

Position Based in: Abidjan, HQ

Mobility: All WaCA’s Interventions Zones

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term Contract under Ivorian law; Renewable

Position to be filled: As Soon As Possible

Objectives

In this position you will be promoting strategic humanitarian responses guided by a critical understanding of MSF’s positioning within the given context. Developing and supporting operation access and implementation. Along the way you will come across key humanitarian challenges that MSF is facing.

Under the guidance of the MSF WaCA General Director and Co-working with the Director of Operations, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor will work on specific crucial files and support the operations.

Main responsibilities

Direct support for operation

·       Provide support to the field team to access hard-to-reach population (HOM, E Cordo…)

·       Provides support to field teams regarding violence/proceedings against MSF structures, patients and staff (security incidents, arrests, notification obligations, medical confidentiality, specific consideration.).

·       Provide support during incident management crisis (Team leader CIMT, FIMT …)

·       Provide support to operations (HOM’s back up, Desk program manager back up, Operations Director back up)

·       Replace Dir-Op or Head of cellule for short period gap in order to maintain MSF representation at the international platform

Context Analysis & Monitoring:

·       Analyzes and monitors political, social, security, and humanitarian contexts with the negotiation and security focal point to inform MSF operations and identify emerging challenges.

·       Support, coaching and functional (technical) management for the operation team, supporting and orienting their work;

·       Providing country operations with political and contextual analysis on factors shaping the humanitarian landscape and issues MSF wants to leverage or influence.

Advocacy & Public Relations:

·       Develop and implement advocacy strategies to improve humanitarian access, protect populations, and raise awareness about MSF's work. 

·       Sharing MSF thinking and analysis through attending debates, workshops and conferences and making presentations.

·       Developing and maintaining relevant networks, bringing cutting edge thinking into the organization

Collaboration & Networking:

·       Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, NGOs, communities, and other stakeholders to enhance coordination and access.

Operational Analysis & Positioning:

·       Advise and support operational teams in making strategic decisions by providing data analysis and strategic recommendations.

Policy Development:

·       Contribute to the development and refinement of MSF's policies and strategies on humanitarian issues.

Reporting & Documentation:

·       Produce reports, briefing notes, and other advocacy materials for internal and external audiences        .

Upon request from the General director provide advice on strategic thinking and decision for the development of MSF WaCA and well as update MSF WaCA on MSF movement’s evolution and important dossiers.

Education

·       Master’s degree

Competencies

·       Proven successful negotiations at the high level of decision-making

·       High sense of diplomacy

·       Able to work in a project mode with timely deliverables.

·       High level of flexibility and adaptability

·       Able to work under high level of pressure with tight deadlines

·       Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

·       High level of adaptability

Professional experience required

·       At least 5 years' experience in positions as head of mission/country manager required

·       PR (Program Responsible) experience desirable

·       2 years' experience as MSF emergency coordinator required

·       2 years' experience in HIC contexts

Languages Skills

·       Working proficiency in English and French(Mandatory)

Computer Skills

·       MS Office suite (mainly MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint)

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N.B.: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position. It is not exhaustive. Therefore, the responsibilities and activities of the position may differ from those described in this job description due to organizational and operational needs.

Deadline: 08th November 2025 18:00 GMT
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.