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Job Details


Doctors Without Borders

Global Health Advocacy and Policy Senior Advisor

Health and Pharmaceutical Services

Advisor

No

New York, United States

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization that delivers impartial medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in over 70 countries.

We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s common mission.

Department

This role sits in the Programs Department and reports to the MSF-USA Director of Programs. The Programs Department at MSF-USA consists of several units including advocacy, diplomacy, and research arms of both MSF-USA and the international offices of MSF. Units served by the Program Department include the Grants Unit, Humanitarian Representation Team, Access Campaign and special projects in addition to supporting other intersectional portfolios.

Project

The Advisor contributes to the development of policy analysis and advocacy strategies towards US-based global health actors in order to have an impact on access to medicines (A2M) topics that are of concern to the medical humanitarian space.

The Advisor reports to the MSF-USA Director of Programs. This role will supervise staff, as well as interns, volunteers or consultants in addition to other possible team members. This role strategically contributes to driving global health policy and advocacy work in the United States and will support the Director of Programs in delivering on MSF-USA's advocacy and policy objectives.

The advisor will help shape MSF’s policy analysis and advocacy strategies to ensure that medicines, vaccines, and other health technologies being developed in the US will be accessible globally. Drawing on a knowledge of US and global health, pharmaceutical, and innovation policy, the senior advisor will work collaboratively with experts inside and outside of MSF to improve global access to medicines, vaccines and other health technologies. This role will also contribute to MSF USA’s representation in the global health advocacy and policy space, including communications, bilateral representation and public engagement. S/he will help other teams in understanding new and emerging discussions, debates, and opportunities outside of the organization related to pharmaceutical policy, health innovation, and global health policy and crafting strategies to represent MSF’s positions and convey key messages within them.

Tasks

  1. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The position plays a leadership role in the Programs Department and will be instrumental in advising the Director of Programs on the strategic advocacy and policy work of MSF-USA, inclusive of active engagement in the current Strategic Planning process at MSF-USA. This role directs and conducts analyses as it relates to relevant medical, pharmaceutical, R&D and access policies and practices of global health actors based in the United States. This position will lead and inform the advocacy and policy strategies of MSF USA’s engagement with the broader Access to Medicines (A2M) community on the US-based global health advocacy landscape.

In service to MSF’s medical operations and the people we serve, the position leverages strategic networks for facilitating entry points (and continued dialogue) for opportunities to participate in US-based political discourse as it relates to the medical humanitarian space and access/global health priorities. S/he will provide relevant, strategic, and propositional work streams to engage various domestic stakeholders.

As needed, (s)he also contributes to the leadership, development and execution of advocacy strategies, development of communications materials and administrative activities at MSF USA.

  • To conduct analysis and monitor policy and political developments in the US on issues related to access and global health advocacy and policy work and how these may impact discussions globally.
  • Drives and oversees research for and development of advocacy and policy materials on relevant dossiers.
  • Performs external representation on access and other global health portfolios.
  • Liaises with MSF-USA team members, representatives based at MSF USA and others around the movement engaged in advocacy and representation on other dossiers.

As needed, (s)he also contributes to the leadership, development and execution of advocacy strategies, development of communications materials and administrative activities at MSF-USA.

  1. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Analysis and Research

• Strengthen MSF-USA’s knowledge and expertise of current US-based (USG, industry, academia, philanthropies, multilaterals and CSOs) policies/initiatives that impact global health and medical innovation (e.g. COVID-19, patented medicine price regulations, and USG delegations to The Global Fund and Gavi).

  • With the Programs Director, direct and facilitate the development of the US strategy for specific projects ensuring a clear linkage between US public policy and MSF operations. Drive MSF-USA's work in various advocacy and policy planning exercises with the objective of setting a framework that will influence key US-based actors on issues of relevance to MSF.

•Provide relevant analysis to MSF-USA, the MSF Access Campaign, and others on United States and global health trends or challenges and how these might directly or indirectly impact on MSF operations, with a particular focus on the implications of USG health and pharmaceutical policy to global access to medicines issues.

•Work with MSF teams to shape US advocacy strategies linked to international strategies in the field, particularly including global health issues such as access to medicines, epidemic response, the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination, and others.

•Identify promising medical R&D initiatives in the US (e.g. relevant medicines, vaccines, etc.) and work with MSF USA’s Humanitarian Affairs team, the Access Campaign, and other MSF entities to develop strategies for ensuring relevant health technologies being developed in US are affordable and accessible globally.

•Provide advice on MSF’s engagement with US researchers or industry developing relevant medical tools or international development initiatives leveraging US health technologies (e.g. CEPI, Gavi, etc.) to track their investments, progress, transfer and potential impacts for MSF’s medical programs with a view of intervening to ensure global, affordable access.

•Write and support the development of background materials (briefing notes, meeting requests, concept notes, etc.) and compelling advocacy products (policy briefs, presentations, speaking notes, web content etc.), in collaboration with MSF teams.

External Engagement and Representation

  • Directly engage external stakeholders in support of analysis and advocacy strategies and objectives, including representing MSF-USA at external events, public speaking engagements and responding to media queries, with the support of and in coordination with the MSF-USA Communications Department.
  • Support the Programs Director in creating, fostering and maintaining a network of policy makers, USG contacts, philanthropies, CSOs and academics working in the global health field in the US, facilitating dialogue and exchange with the MSF movement.
  • Facilitate, coordinate and manage strategic engagements with the US government, donor foundations, private industry (US-based pharmaceutical companies), academic networks, civil society and other US-based institutions as they relate to dossiers followed. Cultivate, manage and update this network of contacts to facilitate MSF communication and coordination with key US-based actors on access related topics; including arranging for relevant meetings, facilitating information-sharing, and adequate record-keeping to maintain continuity of institutional knowledge.
  • Strategically organize and participate in related meetings, conferences or workshops.
    • Work closely with the MSF-USA Humanitarian Representative and the MSF USA Director of Programs to develop strategies for engaging these key US-based stakeholders and institutions.

Strategic direction and management

  • Work with the Programs Director to outline strategic landscape for a departmental structure that optimizes MSF-USA's advocacy and policy positions for improved impact in the US. This can include creating opportunities for more formal engagement with US-based institutions, proposing new ways of working between departmental units and MSF entities.
  • Actively drives and supports Program Director in MSF USA strategic plan engagement, alignment and implementation.
  • Supervise Policy and Research Officer and interns in addition to volunteers and/or consultants to manage their work and provide needed support. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
  • Beyond management of specific staff, manages the global health advocacy dossier for MSF-USA and as such will manage all associated strategic planning and budgets.
  • This role sits on the extended management team (EMT) and plays a key role in strategic advisement of advocacy work across all departments.

MSF-USA engagement

  • Attend and prepare updates to biweekly MSF-USA Advocacy meetings.
  • Contribute to content creation for Dynamics system for contacts.
  • Participation in Advocacy and Policy discussions, debates and programs at MSF-USA.
  • Direct strategic plan implementation, annual plan/annual budget organization and documentation for MSF-USA’s global health advocacy work.
  • Support, as needed, in Program Department or other departments for policy and advocacy related tasks.
  • Contribute to MSF-USA Development and/or Communications initiatives as requested.
  • Contribute to, represent, and lead MSF-USA’s participation in MSF internal forum, such as the Global Health Actors Network.
  • Support to MSF-USA Associative engagements (GA, Evening Debates, etc).
  • Other tasks as required.

Accounting

May assist in submitting general departmental invoices, credit card and expense reports for processing by Finance.

  1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work. Must be able to proofread own work and work of others accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  1. WORKING CONDITIONS, TRAVEL AND ENVIRONMENT

The duties of the job require regular attendance 5 days/week for a minimum of 35 hours. Must be available to work before 9:00 am, after 5:00 pm or on weekends, as required.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to MSF field projects. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Qualifications

  • Genuine commitment to MSF's medical and humanitarian principles.
  • Minimum 15 years relevant work experience, with a Master’s degree in international relations, public policy, public administration, public health, (bio)medical sciences, pharmacy or related global health field.
  • Minimum 5 years previous work experience on access policy related to the humanitarian space.
  • Demonstrated experience in advocacy and policy work around global health needs and access.
  • Excellent project management capabilities, and ability to work effectively and independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience in developing and maintaining professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and organizations, including USG/public employees, medical professionals, civil society, community organizations, academia, government/multilateral representatives, and global health donor organizations.
  • Proven track record of external engagements and external representation; ability to actively participate in public speaking engagements, including—but not limited to—presenting at conferences, conducting print and broadcast media interviews, and representation in external meetings.
  • Preferred previous related experience and or knowledge and interest of congressional and US government policy-making processes.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including non-technical writing.
  • Excellent research skills.
  • English fluent, additional languages an asset.
  • Flexibility in schedule, including availability to travel.
  • Excellent judgment and diplomacy.

Please note that relocation assistance and visa sponsorship will be offered for this position.

No phone calls and emails please. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: June 28, 2021 11:59 EST.

MSF-USA/Doctors Without Borders is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are constantly striving to make our organization anti-racist. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values. As an employee, you become part of that mission. We expect this same commitment from our staff.

Type

HQ

Pay Class & Contract Type

Regular FT Salaried Exempt

Compensation

Starting salary Low 100s to Low 110s (commensurate with experience)

Working Time (Hours Per Week)

35