Humanitarian Access Analyst at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the development and review of the ASA Unit strategic framework and annual plans related to humanitarian access, networking and advocacy.
• Develop Humanitarian Access analysis framework to enhance mission and project level negotiations, networking and advocacy culture, analytical skills and capacities.
• Provide strategic development and support to MSF OCs/Cells and missions of the operations on political developments, identifying opportunities and carrying out risk analyses on sensitive contexts on enablers and inhibitors of humanitarian access.
• Provide support in the region and beyond with the development of Humanitarian Access analysis to anticipate future access challenges and formulate long-term strategies that integrate legal perspectives and other thematic areas such counterterrorism measures affecting principled humanitarian actions.
• Provide strategic contribution to MSF EA position on key access and humanitarian matters.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Humanitarian Access analysis, networking and advocacy:

• Conduct comprehensive analyses of barriers to humanitarian access, including legal, political, security, and logistical factors at regional and country specific contexts that impact operations.
• Contribute to building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, legal advisors, and community leaders, to facilitate access negotiations and advocacy efforts.
• Develop and implement advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting humanitarian access and addressing legal and administrative related barriers faced by MSF operations.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive MSF database in the region.
• Collect and analyse data on access-related incidents and legal challenges, producing reports that inform operational decisions and enhance situational awareness.
• Provide timely updates on legal and access conditions from regional perspectives to field teams, enabling them to make informed decisions during operations.

Context Analysis Support

• Analyze the legal and political contexts of operational areas to identify factors influencing humanitarian access and inform operational strategies.
• Identify and assess key local and national stakeholders through mapping, including government entities and non-state actors, to understand their roles and influence on access.
• Evaluate local customs and cultural factors that may affect access negotiations and operational interactions, providing recommendations for culturally appropriate approaches in specific contexts.
• Provide periodic updates on changes in the legal and political landscape that may impact access conditions or operational feasibility.
• Identify and analyze trends in humanitarian access over time, offering insights for strategic decision-making.

Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building:

• In collaboration with the Head of the ASA Unit, Training and Learning Unit and other peers in the MSF movement, develop, plan and deliver training programs focused on humanitarian access issues, legal frameworks, and negotiation strategies.
• Organize workshops, webinars and simulation exercises to prepare teams for access-related challenges and enhance their negotiation skills.
• Provide ongoing mentorship to field staff, improving their understanding of access issues and legal considerations in negotiations.
• Develop educational materials, toolkits, and guidelines that promote knowledge of humanitarian access and legal rights among staff.

Partnership and External Representation:

• In collaboration with HRT, operations and head of ASA Unit, build and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders at regional level to facilitate access negotiations and operational support to specific contexts.
• Network with local and international NGOs and legal professionals to share insights, strategies, and best practices related to humanitarian access.
• Represent MSF in relevant legal and humanitarian access meetings and forums, advocating for the needs of affected populations and the operational requirements of humanitarian actors.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of MSF’s policies on humanitarian access and legal compliance, ensuring they are responsive to regional needs.
• Maintain thorough documentation of access assessments, legal analyses, training sessions, and policy updates for reference and compliance.
• Provide direct support to field teams during access crises, facilitating effective communication and coordination for timely responses.
• Stay updated on global trends and best practices in humanitarian access and legal frameworks, integrating new knowledge into MSF's operational strategies.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of access strategies and make recommendations for improvements based on field experiences and evolving contexts.

Qualifications

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in management, Political Sciences, Security, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Technical degree or certification in related Field with significant applicable experience. 
• Fluency in spoken and written English and 1 additional language (Arabic/ French/Portuguese /Spanish) is required. Local languages in Eastern and Southern Africa is a plus.

Experience

• At least ten (10) years of non-profit NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs with demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing, and executing humanitarian operations safely in the Field.
• Proven experience in analysis and report writing on access, security, and safety issues.
• Experience working with Think-tank in the region, INSO, INGO forum and similar institutions is an added advantage.
• Country Director/Project Coordinator or advocacy managers experience is an added advantage.
• Strong experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Ability to provide clear, dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding humanitarian access and political situations when they occur.
• Good understanding of regional and local context, dynamics, and access limitations.
• Ability to provide team building, coaching, and development for staff as well as encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent MSF at forums and with external stakeholders.
• Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.

Behavioral/General Competencies

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Strategic Vision
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Service Orientation
• Planning and Organizing
• Initiative and Innovation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• People Management and Development
• Networking and Building Relationships
• Security awareness and Management