About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Role Overview

The Policy Advisor will develop policy analysis and advocacy strategies towards US-based global health actors in order to expand global access to products for healthcare and address related global health issues that are of concern to the medical humanitarian space and MSF’s operations. They will help other teams in understanding new and emerging discussions, debates, and opportunities outside of the organization related to access to products for healthcare, global health policy and crafting strategies to represent MSF’s positions and convey key messages within them. They will lead on the monitoring and analysis of key policies and developments within the US regarding the common priority areas of work on access to products for healthcare with a focus on upstream barriers to access such as intellectual property, research and development challenges and regulatory issues

Department Accountabilities

Support for MSF Medical and Humanitarian Programs 

The Programs Department supports the medical humanitarian programs of the MSF Movement in different ways. Each unit contributes to one or more of these responsibilities: 

• Advocacy and Representation in support of Operations – develop strategies to influence public policy debates and private bilateral engagements on behalf of MSF.
• Research, Analysis, and Data Management in support of Operations – direct, perform, or facilitate research to address questions posed by Operations. Track and analyze specific policies and practices of governments, multilateral organizations, and others as requested by Operations. 
• Grantmaking in support of MSF medical humanitarian programs and movement initiatives.
• Monitoring of the Regulatory Environment - engages with regulatory issues affecting Programs to ensure grant-making compliance and inform Operations and the International Legal Department.
• Monitoring of the Policy Environment: Engages with Policy issues to ensure information sharing and action based on the movement's medical and operational needs.  
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify, analyze, plan, and implement actions designed to engage with external and internal stakeholders to support medical humanitarian programming.
• Contribution to Medical Operational Humanitarian Projects - contributes to the management and implementation of specific medical operational humanitarian discreet projects managed by MSF USA.
• US representation, engagement, and collaboration – represents domestic social mission external relationships on behalf of the medical operational entities of the movement to create, maintain, and expand stakeholder engagement. 

Roles Specific Outcomes

Horizon Scanning

Explore and develop a detailed understanding of external developments or emerging issues and evaluate their potential impact on, or usefulness to, the organization.

Solution Analysis

Identify and evaluate complex, expertise-led solutions against a range of criteria to find the ones that best meet business needs.

Insights and Reporting

Contribute to the design and creation of reporting strategies and templates. Lead execution of complex reports, identifying and interpreting complex patterns and trends, and translating those insights into actionable recommendations.

Information and Strategic Political Advice

Provide authoritative specialist advice to relevant colleagues at MSF to enable strategic decision-making on policy, projects, and change initiatives.

Risk Scenario Modeling

Analyze, assess, and quantify the risks associated with products/individual applications/business activities/the market to determine whether any risk is within the agreed risk appetite. Undertake tactical risk modeling.

Internal and External Stakeholder Management

Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans for projects to identify relevant stakeholders, to develop positive stakeholder relationships, and to ensure that each stakeholder has an appropriate share of voice..

Stakeholder Engagement

Contribute to stakeholder engagement through identifying stakeholders, finding out their needs/issues/concern and reacting to these by arranging meetings and events and drafting supporting materials to promote understanding and commitment.

These core accountabilities should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job.  Incumbents are required to perform other functions as assigned.

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills

• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and organizations, including medical professionals, public employees, government representatives, academia, civil society and community organizations, and multilateral global health and donor organizations.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate complex topics concisely both verbal and written.
• Strategic thinker and problem solver, ability to develop solutions to challenges.
• Strong facilitation skills; ability to work cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting with long-distance working relationships

Behavioral Competencies

THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different

People Focus

Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.

Manages Complexity

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.

Global Perspective

Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.

Cultivates Innovation

Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.

Strategic Mindset

Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.

RESULTS: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs

Drives Results

Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way.

Ensures Accountability

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

PEOPLE: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals.

Collaborates

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

Communicates Effectively

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Values Differences

Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

Builds Effective Teams

Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

Manages Conflict

Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

Builds Networks

Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.

Drives Vision and Purpose

Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.

Instills Trust

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.

Manages Ambiguity

Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.

Situational Adaptability

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Being Resilient

Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

Technical Competencies

Plans and Aligns

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals.

Financial Acumen

Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.

Tech Savvy

Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.

Data Collection and Analysis

The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.

Project Management Skills

The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters.

Presentation and Written Communication Skills

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Organizational Insight

Applying knowledge of MSF-USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.

Supervisory Responsibility

Manage Global Health Advocacy and Policy Specialist and Global Health Advocacy and Policy team interns, carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training intern or volunteers; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

At a minimum the Job Holder should possess:

• Commitment to MSF competencies;
• 10-12 years’ experience in policy analysis, advocacy, and research/writing;
• JD or PhD in Law, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science or International Affairs preferred; Masters degree combined with equivalent experience also considered;
• Demonstrated experience working on intellectual property, research and development and regulatory issues as they pertain to access to products for healthcare;
• Strategic thinking and planning ability; problem-solving/seeking solutions to challenges;
• Project management experience and knowledge; Knowledge of Office 365 and office software;
• Proficiency in English to mother-tongue standard;
• Ability to work cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting with long-distance working relationships;
• Capacity to work autonomously;

Travel Requirements 

May travel as required.

COMPENSATION

$124,346 - $186,518; based on experience

We do not accept phone calls or emails during the recruitment process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Our staff works a hybrid schedule with the ability to come into either the NYC office or regional hub (Washington, DC or Bay Area, California) a minimum of 2 times a week. The required days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from January to June and September to December. 

In office work attendance during July and August is optional.

MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.