Humanitarian Representation Officer - Brussels

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 28 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

The purpose of the position of the Humanitarian Representation Officer is to support the EU REP in its external and internal functions, providing analytical and strategic support and administrative and logistical assistance.

• Act as principal analyst for and advisor to the EU REP: staying well-informed of changes and sharing timely and relevant developments concerning EU institutions and policies.  

• Includes:  

• Proactive follow-up of and internal reporting on EU policies, funding priorities and legislation that could be of impact to MSF (humanitarian, development, migration, health, IHL, defence, military); 

• Proactive follow-up of EU institutions’ agendas (European Parliament; Council Working Committees; Commissioners and official Commission field visits). Includes strategic input on where/when to try to influence some agendas and to report or follow up (eg.  attending or listening to the video records of key public meetings); 

• Monitor ‘regional’ trends (Brussels-level and EU capital level) in humanitarian response, foreign policy, funding, military action, and political processes/evolutions, identify and extract information relevant to field operations, and share summarised analysis as required. 

• Conduct in-depth research to inform MSF’s engagement with EU institutions and agencies and contribute to developing a framework for engagement at EU capitals. 

• Includes:  

• “Scanning” publications from EU think tanks, Brussels-based NGOs and the UN, outlining key points of interest concerning MSF operations for EU REP and, if relevant, other HRT members; 

• Develop and maintain a high and detailed understanding of MSF priority contexts and the ones of strategic interest for the EU to be able to develop or adapt talking points for external engagements in collaboration with the EU REP. 

• Expand actor mapping across the European Union and contribute to stakeholder analysis, advising representatives on targets and engagement strategies.  

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of EU institutions and actors' functions, leadership, and decision-making processes. 

• Includes:   

• Ensure the management and regular updates of the internal and external contacts databases; 

• Ensure the implementation and maintenance of internal and external mailing lists;  

• In close collaboration with the EU REP, maintain and develop networks within the European Parliament (new elected officials and teams); keep liaising and actively participate in NGO groups (health, migration, humanitarian) and other strategic civil society actors in Brussels. 

• Attendance of meetings, take minutes, analyse outcomes, and report back to the EU REP, and when requested, represent MSF and deputising the EU REP 

• Includes:  

• Support the EU REP with drafting or adapting positioning/talking points for external engagements in collaboration with the Advocacy team and the Representative;  

• Support the EU REP with drafting and disseminating relevant information and official correspondences (follow-up letters, official templates, congratulations, condolences, etc.);  

• Report all the meetings/relevant interactions, feed relevant HRT engagement trackers, upload minutes to SharePoint, and, if relevant, highlight key outcomes for the HRT team (and other MSF internal platforms, see below). 

• Internal dissemination of EU-relevant information and updates (HRT team, MSF Operational Centers, MSF Partner sections, operations departments, inter-desks, advocacy/analysis departments etc.); 

• Ensure reporting of HRT EU activities: engagement trackers, input HRT newsletter, monthly updates, and other internal forms. Upload relevant information on MSF Internal SharePoint websites;  

• Support the preparation of Interdesks meetings’ agendas and note-taking. Follow up on agreed action points of Interdesk discussions; 

• In the framework of the regionalisation of HRT platforms, contribute to the HRT Europe Platform coordination, agenda setting and dissemination to foster internal MSF dialogue (notably on EU developments including health, migration, humanitarian, military/defence policies), ensure close follow-up with MSF Partner Sections based in EU Member states on relevant developments; 

• Ad-hoc support to the organisation of events. Follow up on key deadlines, anticipating necessary reminders for the preparation of events and meetings; 

• Together with IO’s Assistant, ensures the logistics of internal meetings, i.e. room or location booking, IT, VC, food, transportation and accommodation booking, and welcomes external participants. 

• Degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs or another relevant field;  

• Proven familiarity and knowledge of the EU architecture, EU funding streams and dynamics; 

• Understanding of the global humanitarian system, including humanitarian principles, International Humanitarian Law, International Refugee Law, and experience in political operating environments; 

• Ability and adaptability to work under strict deadlines and to replan priorities; 

• Flexibility to adjust working schedule to respond to emergencies; 

• Availability to travel with short notice if requested; 

• Experience of at least 2 years in similar positions with humanitarian organisations or in positions related to EU institutions;  

• Fluency in English, both written and oral. Preferably fluency in French;  

• Knowledge of Office 365.