Medical Anthropology Analyst at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Rationale/Objective for Position

• The Medical Anthropology Analyst is responsible for coordinating and overseeing targeted need-driven operational research and analyses, capacity-building and strengthening learning and reflection to ensure MSF provides holistic, respectful, and inclusive patient-centered community-based health services.
• The jobholder is responsible for implementing the Anthropology Unit framework and applicable approaches in relation with MSF field operations.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the development of the Unit’s organization strategic plan, activities and partnerships as may be needed.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

• Support positioning and feasibility of the Anthropology Unit
  • Identify medical and health-related areas of strategic interest and identify the necessary partnerships with operations across other MSF entities in the region and globally.
  • Respond and coordinate requests for support MSF missions/projects working in the region by evaluating access constraints and developing access-specific strategies.
  • Contribute to the building, entrenching, and positioning the Unit.
  • Prepare and make presentations on behalf of the Unit and MSF international and internal forums to articulate its work.
• Medical program development and operations support
  • Assess and analyze social-cultural dynamics of medical emergency contexts to inform and advice the medical operations teams during the conception, implementation, and monitoring of medical and paramedical projects.
  • Collect and organize information on health-seeking practices and norms and knowledge during emergencies/crises to enable trust and respect between affected individuals, groups and communities, and field operation teams.
  • Support the operations teams on contextual health and political economy analysis.
  • Contribute to field visits and intersectional medical forums wherever and whenever it is necessary across MSF units and sections.
  • Liaise with Medical Operation teams to identify, initiate links and engage with relevant state and non-state structures managing health services during emergencies.
  • Prepare mission reports for review and dissemination.
• Contribute to medical and health promotion operational research and learning.
  • Coordinate field operational research on thematic areas relevant to medical and paramedical projects/programs across MSF.
  • Facilitate dissemination of research results, learnings and best practices through internal and external platforms including publication.
  • Participate in the implementation of the community engagement strategy of the MSF EA operations directorate.
  • Coordinate events and facilitate thematic communities of practice events in the region and across the MSF.
  • Conduct and facilitate collection, analysis and updating lessons and best practices from MSF missions in the region.
  • Contribute and update the Unit's database.
  • Participate in organizing annual operation research events including the Annual Nairobi Anthropology Forum, MSF Scientific Day, Epicenters among others.
• Partnership, collaboration, and representation
  • In collaboration with the Anthropology Unit Lead, Training and Learning Unit and other peers in the MSF movement, develop/review training modules, and plan and facilitate effective health promotion and access.
  • Conduct targeted participatory training and on-the-job training to enhance multicultural competence in our health service delivery sites.
  • Facilitate training in multicultural competence and research ethics for internal and external partners.
  • Map and profile relevant stakeholders in medical anthropology applied to the humanitarian context.
  • Facilitate linkages and engagement with partners to share capacity, capability, and experience pertaining to humanitarian and emergency medical services in the region.
  • Liaise with peers and actively participate in meetings at relevant humanitarian forum including the MSF Intersection/social science and operational research forums, technical working groups and Forums at the regional level.
• Other Responsibilities
  • Propose and initiate innovative operational research projects.
  • Translation of research Findings into Actionable policy or intervention briefs for field teams.

Qualifications

• Education
  • A Bachelor’s degree in Medical Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Human Ecology, Sociology, Social Work, or any culture-related fields from a recognized institution.
  • A Master’s degree in medical Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Human Ecology, Sociology, Social Work, or any culture-related fields from a recognized institution is an added advantage.
  • Membership in a relevant professional body, think tank or community of practice is desirable.
  • In-depth understanding of health-seeking and promotion models and practices in the regional and local context, dynamics, and socio-cultural medical barriers.
  • Understanding of humanitarian and emergency health service delivery and ethics.
  • Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of French and a third language is an added advantage.
• Experience
  • At least five (5) years of non-profit NGO work experience within public/emergency health contexts.
  • Experience working with the humanitarian organization, UNDSS, INSO, INGO forum and similar institutions is an added advantage.
  • Experience as a field researcher, ethnographer, trainer or in public health is an added advantage.
• Competencies
  • Technical Competencies
    • Demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing, and executing health-related operational research, and behavior change interventions.
    • Ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning.
    • Ability to provide clear, dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding medical and social contexts, situations and needs as they emerge.
    • Ability to design and facilitate training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.
    • Ability to lead and coordinate field research teams and provide training in qualitative methods for diverse teams.
  • Behavioral/General Competencies
    • Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent MSF at forums and with external stakeholders.
    • Ability to form and maintain relationships and working partnerships with multiculturally diverse teams and communities.
    • Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
    • Commitment to MSF’s Principles.
    • Strategic thinking and complexity awareness.
    • Critical and reflexive objectivity.
    • Initiative and Innovation.
    • Contextual analyses, awareness, and adaptation.