ACCESS TO PRODUCT (APH) OF HEALTHCARE LEAD AND GLOBAL HEALTH ACTOR NETWORK (GHAN) REPRESENTATIVE

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.

We Are Looking for: ACCESS TO PRODUCT (APH) OF HEALTHCARE LEAD AND GLOBAL HEALTH ACTOR NETWORK (GHAN) REPRESENTATIVE

Department: General Direction

Direct Manager: General Director

Functional Manager: Deputy Medical 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

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to MSF WaCA General Director.

The role combines both a contribution to MSF’s global APH work, with a focus on West and Central Africa region, as well as leading the institutional engagement on behalf of MSF WaCA.

For APH:  The APH and Global Health Actor Network representative is responsible for representing MSF WaCA while working together with the APH Structure Management Team to design and deliver Access to Products for Healthcare projects.

For MSF WaCA: The APH and Global Health Actor Network representative is responsible for supporting the further development of a strategic engagement network to increase MSF’s connections in WCA region. The job holder is also responsible for disseminating information & manage knowledge on global health actors and issues across the movement to support informed decisions at global and operational levels and organize exchanges to improve quality of MSF’s interaction with relevant global health actors and priority global health issues to support operations’ needs as well as the needs of people we care for. This role should be played with existing resources dedicated to MSF’s overall operational agenda including humanitarian representation and advocacy colleagues.

Main responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

Define and articulate the common ambitions, scope and principles related to APH.

Participate for guiding and overseeing the strategic direction, policies and implementation of the APH Structure. Acting as a crucial link between the APH Structure and the broader Movement, the SEB works in partnership with the APH executive staff to ensure collective ownership and alignment of MSF’s APH efforts

The Global Health Actor Network representative is responsible to develop a long-term strategic engagement networking and representation strategy for MSF to increase MSF’s connections in West and Central Africa region.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

.           Access to Products for Healthcare

As, each SEB member, WaCA APH SEB member has dual responsibility: 

• Toward the APH Structure: contributing actively to the governance functions outlined above

• Toward WaCA: Acting as bridge to ensure alignment and mutual understanding between the APH Structure and WaCA operational goals and ambitions. 

To fulfill these responsibilities SEB members are expected to:  

• Actively participate in SEB meetings and notify the SEB of any anticipated absences 

• Be informed and prepared to make decisions at SEB meetings. 

• Facilitate and encourage WaCA’ participation in the development and execution of the APH Common Priorities and Strategic Plan. 

• Keep both the SEB and the APH Structure updated about APH activities and decisions of WaCA. 

• Keep WaCA informed about the implementation of the APH Strategic Plan 

• Communicate WaCA positions on SEB decisions and ensure decisions made by the SEB are relayed back to WaCA Med ops teams along with their implications. 

• Promote consistent buy-in and adherence to SEB decisions and plans. 

• Establish mechanisms for regular communication, consultation, and reporting between the SEB and MSF WaCA. 

• Flag issues or concerns requiring SEB attention and work to resolve any conflicts between WaCA and the APH Structure.  

• Network with other research, humanitarian and charity organizations in the region who are working on access to products of healthcare in humanitarian settings, for experience sharing/learning, and dissemination of MSF products. 

Recognizing the potential tensions inherent in dual responsibilities, SEB members are reminded that the APH Structure is a collective initiative created by the Full ExCom to serve the shared interests and goals of MSF. Members should always strive to prioritize decisions that advance MSF’s collective APH ambition over individual constituency benefits. They are encouraged to seek collaborative solutions that benefit the entire Movement.  

.           Responsibilities of been GHAN representative

As representative of MSF WaCA at GHAN level,

S/He will be a Core GHAN member and serve as key champion and mobilizer of the network.

S/He should raise awareness of the work of the GHAN within WaCA.

S/He has the responsibility to participate on steering the network and define the core GHAN annual objectives, as well as playing a facilitating and advisory role for MSF WaCA.

The Core GHAN member tasks can include:

§  Participating in regular calls to discuss some of the key information collected and decide on the need to develop a briefer or not.

§  Bringing any pertinent issues to the attention of higher MSF level when needed

§  Alert when identifying topics that need to be discussed at Med Op or in any other MSF forum.

§  Produce an annual briefing on both global health trends and actors / ecosystem on topics relevant for MSF.

§  Re-identify according to the tasks or the emerging needs and propose an updated list of focal points.

§  When identifying a need, mobilize GHAN peers for their expertise to provide inputs or support production of a paper, briefer, pop up.

§  Regularly inform, engage and consult with the wider network.

§  Facilitate communication and promote the GHAN within WaCA

§  Propose initiatives

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. 

Competencies

§  Core Competencies 

ü  Ability to design and implement access strategies that align with organizational goals and adapt to changing contexts. 

ü  Strong understanding of global health policies, regulatory pathways, and procurement processes. 

ü  Significant experience working as a senior executive and/or experience in overseeing complex projects and/or experience serving in a Board

ü  Expertise in fields directly related to APH and/or international medical-humanitarian operations

ü  Knowledge of intellectual property laws and pricing mechanisms in the healthcare industry. 

ü  Proficiency in analyzing healthcare access data to inform decision-making. 

ü  Solid understanding of negotiations mechanisms with suppliers and advocacy for the inclusion of essential products in public health systems. 

ü  Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with diverse audiences, proficiency in French and English is required. 

ü  Deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in diverse cultural and geopolitical contexts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

ü  At least three-year commitment

§  Technical competencies 

ü  Strategic vision and creativity in problem solving. 

ü  Adaptable and resourceful in addressing challenges in access to healthcare products. 

ü  Ability to synthesize complex and sensitive documents/material. 

ü  Excellent context analysis and reporting skills. 

ü  Excellent interpersonal, listening and diplomatic skills. 

ü  Strong interpersonal and listening skills

§  Behavioral/General Competencies 

ü  Capable of inspiring and motivating teams to achieve ambitious goals. 

ü  Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the humanitarian action and principles of MSF.  

ü  Ability to manage high-pressure situations and maintain focus on long-term objectives. 

ü  Cross-cultural awareness.  

ü  Strong negotiation skills.  

ü  Flexibility with working hours.  

ü  Results and quality oriented.  

ü  Strong planning and organization skills.  

ü  Initiative and innovation mindset. 

ü  Teamwork and cooperation.  

ü  Networking and Building Relationships. 

Professional experience required

§  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. 

§  Demonstrated knowledge of medical humanitarian issues and solid knowledge of or experience in the West and Central Africa. 

§  Experience in advocating for price reductions, intellectual property flexibilities (e.g., TRIPS waiver), and equitable distribution is an added value.

§  Basic knowledge of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law is an asset.  

Languages Skills

·       Working proficiency in English and French

Computer Skills

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

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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.

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: February 22nd 2025 18:00 GMT
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.