Netherlands: Humanitarian Advisor on Displacement
With immediate effect MSF OCA has a vacancy for the position of
Humanitarian Adviser on Displacement based in Amsterdam (100%)
The advocacy work of MSF is rooted in contexts in which violence, abuse, and political neglect fuel extensive medical and humanitarian crises. In South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Eritrea, and Myanmar violence against civilians and forced displacement take place against the backdrop of extremely limited state health services.
People fleeing conflict, violence and persecution face a choice between life in refugee camps where assistance provided by aid agencies is often below standards, and the perils of travel to seek asylum in countries with increasingly restrictive policies that often render people vulnerable to smuggling and trafficking networks.
Presently the largest number of people flees their countries of origin since World War II. It is one of the most critical humanitarian crises currently deriving from global dynamics and policies. Displaced people are frequently victims of a combination of insecurity, poverty and deficient access to basic rights and humanitarian assistance.
The failure to adequately offer protection is pushing people towards dangerous routes where they are exposed to abuse, extortion and violence. Many get stuck in inhumane conditions in transit countries and the use of detention with limited access to assistance is increasingly becoming a norm.
The work of MSF must navigate a complex political landscape. The rise of political Islam; the increase in control and restrictions by hosting states; outsourced migration management in exchange for large economic and political benefits, violence against health care personnel; and the ongoing manipulation of both aid supplies and the humanitarian discourse by political and military leaders are all challenges that threaten our ability to operate effectively in many countries.
The Humanitarian Adviser on Displacement is a member of the Humanitarian Affairs team, with Advisers in Amsterdam and Berlin. S/he works closely with the Operational Managers, Humanitarian Advisers and Health Advisers in Amsterdam, Berlin and other MSF sections, but reports to the Head of Advocacy & Operational Communications in Amsterdam.
Main Responsibilities
The work of the Humanitarian Adviser on Displacement in Amsterdam will include support to MSF operations linked to displacement in key countries and along migratory routes, development of organizational positioning, and linked advocacy.
• Support the desk and field teams in identifying critical medical and humanitarian concerns based on a shrewd political, contextual, refugee & forced migration policy and systems analysis;
• Monitor displacement and migration trends, including existing legal frameworks, humanitarian consequences of restrictive policies; access to international protection and assistance, and stimulate thinking and responses in collaboration with Operations, Public Health Department and Management Team;
• Lead the development and implementation of advocacy strategies on displacement & forced migration aiming at a positive change for the patients and communities which MSF serves;
• Act as a sparring partner to the Management Teams in field and in Amsterdam on protection issues, humanitarian principles, legal frameworks for refugees and organizational positioning;
• Advise field teams on the process of the gathering, analyzing and synthesizing information/data to support advocacy goals;
• Provide functional management, guidance and support for advocacy managers and humanitarian affairs officers posted in the field;
• Draft of letters, position papers, briefing documents, reports, etc;
• Sharing MSF thinking and analysis through public debates, workshops and conferences, writing articles and making presentations;
• Developing and maintaining relevant networks, bringing relevant thinking into the organisation;
• Conduct regular trainings for field staff on humanitarian affairs and advocacy.
The position is based at Amsterdam headquarters but travels frequently to the field and to attend relevant events (up to 40% of the time).
Advisor for Displacement will focus on a wide range of contexts and countries including; Central and Eastern Mediterranean Migration routes towards Europe (Syria-Turkey, Eritrea-Ethiopia-Libya-Mediterranean Sea), Migration routes in South East Asia (Myanmar-Bangladesh-Malaysia). The portfolio will change as operations develop in other settings.
Profile Candidate
• Extensive experience on advocacy in the field of humanitarian action, protection, and refugee & forced migration;
• Academic background relevant to MSF’s work, such as international human rights & humanitarian law, refugee law & forced migration, international public health. A Master’s degree is an advantage;
• Strong analytical and advisory skills; Ability to persuade others and spearhead initiatives.
• Proven leadership and strong vision on refugee & forced migration and humanitarian affairs issues, development of related positioning and advocacy objectives;
• Ability to translate complex displacement & forced migration contexts and summarize the core elements into analysis with clear conclusions and recommendations;
• Ability to understand medical data and epidemiological analysis;
• Familiarity with policy making around migration and asylum, as well as with the international architecture and mechanisms for the protection of refugees and migrants;
• Excellent communication and training skills;
• Ability to travel to the field at short notice for periods of up to 6 weeks;
• Proven excellence in written English (published reports, position papers, media articles, etc.);
• Proven ability to act as a spokesperson for the organization, towards the media or in public fora;
• Fluency in English and good working knowledge of French; Arabic an advantage;
• Sense of humor, good team-player, flexible, ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Affinity with the principles and objectives of MSF’s work.
We Offer
• A Dutch employment contract for one year with a full-time appointment based on 5 days per week, with the option for renewal.
• A gross salary of max. € 4,424 gross per month, based on relevant professional work experience, for full-time employment (based on a 40-hour week) plus 30 days vacation and premium free pension.
• A stimulating, professional working environment in an international organisation.
How to apply:
Further information can be obtained from:
1. on content of the job.
Hernan del Valle (Head of Advocacy and Operational Communications): +31 20 520 8761
2.on procedural and contractual questions:
Jaline Wijkhuizen, Human Resources (Amsterdam): +31 20 520 8917
Our earlier posting of this vacancy was unsuccessful. We kindly request that only NEW candidates apply.
All queries and applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Please submit your complete written application in English (incl. letter of motivation, CV and certificates and the answers to the 3 questions) and integrate all documents in 1 file (pdf welcome). Incomplete applications will not be considered:
Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
Answers to the following 3 questions (max. 200 words each):
Based on information publicly available on the conflict in Syria, what are the most accute medical and humanitarian issues you can identify for an organization like MSF? Explain your logic.
MSF works in a remote rural clinic in an area of active conflict between the central government and armed opposition forces. Cases of alleged torture and sexual violence present frequently on MSF clinics. MSF received a request from the Ministry of Justice to submit patients’ files in order to facilitate the investigation of crimes. What are your considerations in this case? What is your advice to the MSF team?
MSF works in a country hosting the largest number of displaced people in the world. Peoples access to protection and assistance is limited. Many want to continue their journey and apply for asylum elsewhere. There ability to flee is limited due to restrictive policies and practicies, while their access to individual asylum procedures is dependent on their nationality rather than their need for international protection. What should MSF do for this population, and what should be MSF position in such context. Who are the key stakeholders who can influence this situation? How should MSF engage with them and for what purpose in each case?
The deadline for applications is July 3rd, 2016. Proposed start date is July 15th, 2016.
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