Vacancy Announcement
Humanitarian Affairs and Institutional Advocacy Lead
Work Location: India (New Delhi) / Sri Lanka (Colombo)
About Us
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare.
MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
Job Purpose
The Humanitarian Affairs and Institutional Advocacy Lead’s overall objective is to oversee the design and execution of all advocacy, representation and humanitarian affairs activities conducted by MSF South Asia.
The position ensures coherence between advocacy, representation, humanitarian affairs and strategic analysis in support of MSF's operational priorities.
He/she will work on transversal dossiers and develop strategic networks to gain insights on relevant influences in the South Asia region that MSF can apply leverage on to achieve its social mission.
The role translates operational priorities into strategic advocacy and institutional engagement opportunities while strengthening MSF's regional positioning and influence.
MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Networking, Advocacy, and Representation
- Coordinate and plan priority engagements with relevant focal points in the HRT Secretariat and as requested by operations;
- Provide timely feedback on work and engagements, notably by submitting engagement summaries and meeting minutes to the HRT Global Engagement Tracker; as well as other input to facilitate engagement analysis, operational decision-making, strategy setting, and reporting.
- Participate and represent MSF in humanitarian conferences and events in South Asia region.
- Participate in the development of relevant contacts for the MSF movement and operations within the region.
- Propose diplomatic or engagement strategies linked to the conflicts in the region .
- Identify medical and humanitarian issues of concern to MSF for which it is necessary to develop diplomacy efforts .
- Identify diplomatic opportunities (events, conferences, opportunities for bilateral meetings) or create them
- Use diplomacy and representation opportunities to communicate the identity of MSF and improve the perception of MSF in the region
- Design, relay or implement MSF global advocacy initiatives in a proactive manner on topics relevant to MSF and by promoting and disseminating MSF research and academic work
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with governments, diplomatic missions, multilateral organizations, humanitarian actors, United Nations agencies and branch offices located in the region, Universities, Think Tanks, or Research Institutes of relevance, academia and civil society to advance MSF's humanitarian objectives.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen MSF's institutional positioning and influence through regional and international engagement.
- Work closely with the Director of Communications to ensure advocacy priorities are aligned with MSF's public narrative and media positioning in the region.
- Support the Communications team in developing advocacy communications strategy in the region. Regularly share stakeholder and landscape mapping with a geopolitical and humanitarian analysis to inform Communications initiatives. Flag advocacy developments to Communications for potential media, op-ed, or social content and support the team with talking points when needed.
Research & Analysis
- Provide updates, information, and analysis on relevant national & regional institutions and developments in the region
- Develop the framework of engagement on humanitarian advocacy together with the Management team (MT).
- Analyze and report on relevant policy trends and key developments in South Asia to MSF networks.
- Develop and keep up-to-date the power analysis of key stakeholders of regional and global importance from South Asia.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of assigned operational contexts and/or important humanitarian debates.
- Translate geopolitical, humanitarian and policy analysis into strategic recommendations for advocacy and institutional engagement.
- Identify emerging humanitarian, political and policy trends that may affect MSF operations in the region.
- Provide strategic analysis and advice to the Executive Director and Management Team on regional developments relevant to MSF's operational and advocacy priorities.
Other responsibilities
- Prepare meetings and briefings for ED/Management Team/Board as and when required.
- Support the development and coordination of regional humanitarian initiatives, dialogues and strategic engagement platforms.
- Ensure knowledge sharing and coordination with relevant MSF regional and international advocacy networks such as the HRT Network (global and regional).
- Support the Director of Communications in planning and organising the annual flagship convening for MSF South Asia.
Candidate Profile Requirements
EducationalRequirement:
- Master’s Degree in a relevant field: International Relations, Non-profit Organization Management, Civic & Social Organization Leadership, Political Science, etc.
Relevant Experience:
- 6 -8 years of experience with MSF or an equivalent organization (ICRC, Amnesty, UN, others), of which at least 2 years are in a coordination, or a Senior Advocacy Position.
- Demonstrated experience in engaging with senior government officials, high-level diplomats, donor representatives, UN officials, or/and other officials in the NGO and geo-political community .
- Knowledge of international humanitarian affairs and solid knowledge of or experience in South Asian countries and contexts.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills, including fluent written and spoken English; any other South Asian language will be considered an asset.
- Ability to synthesize complex and sensitive information, record data accurately and appropriately in the form of minutes.
Other requirements:
- Excellent judgment, discretion and diplomacy
- Dynamic, self-driven, enthusiastic, autonomous, problem-solving team member
- Proven time management and organizational skills
- Ability to travel across the South Asia region or other locations (3-4 travels per year).
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment requiring patience and understanding
- Genuine commitment to MSF's humanitarian principles
Benefits
We offer:
- Contract duration is one year with a possibility of contract extension.
- A stimulating, professional environment in a reputed international organization.
- Compensation gross per month range USD 2581 – USD 3679 - (Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually; final salary will depend on the scaling of the CV as per MSF criteria)
- 13th Month bonus (equivalent to one month gross) will be additional.
- Medical: MSF provides medical reimbursement for employees and their dependents as per MSF health care policy.
- MSF South Asia relocation package comprising of housing allowance (USD 734 for single/ USD 916 for family), Child Education Allowance( USD 417 per child), annual holiday ticket and relocation allowance applies to non-nationals selected in the role.
- All benefits (salaries, allowances, etc) are subject to tax deduction.
How to Apply:
Application checklist:
- Please check that you have included the following in your application:
- An updated CV/ profile along with the Letter of Motivation, which is a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the key requirements of the role. (both documents should be shared as one file - MSWord or PDF).
Remarks:
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing Date: 16 October 2026
All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. MSF South Asia is as organization committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and has equitable opportunities to contribute and thrive. MSF South Asia has zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse, bullying, and abuse of power. We welcome applications from women, people of all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, where required.