About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

ROLE OVERVIEW
The Humanitarian Policy Advisor provides analytical and strategic support to MSF USA and MSF’s International Operations. The Humanitarian Policy Advisor maintains ongoing familiarity with the evolving functions of relevant global bodies and UN agencies, the United States Government, and other international actors integral to humanitarian aid with potential thematics determined according to immediate humanitarian needs including malnutrition, protection of civilians and/or outbreak response.  

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 specifically to ensure grant-making compliance and inform Operations and the International Legal Department. 
•    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.
•    Home society representation, engagement, and collaboration – is the representative of home society's social mission external relationships on behalf of the medical operational entities of the movement to create, maintain, and expand stakeholder engagement. 
 

ROLES SPECIFIC OUTCOMES
Internal and External representation and relationship management 
Analysis, representation and networking with named US based actors. 

Data Collection and Analysis
Use data from various sources to analyze critical themes and identify possible impacts on the organization.  

Stakeholder management (Internal)
Provide key internal interlockers with information to support factors that influences places where MSF works. Draft, Review and Support the development of MSF positions’ advocacy materials including developing briefing papers for both expert and non-expert audiences. 

Policies and Procedures Development
Develop policies, procedures, and related guidelines, ensuring compliance with external requirements and integration with the broader functional policy framework. 

Organizational Representation
Represent the organization or institution in various industries, institutional and/or professional forums, boards, and committees to advocate for the needs of MSF’s patients. 

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

COMPLEXITY AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

• Ability to efficiently research, analyze, and synthesize complex topics into briefing notes, reports, and high-level correspondence.
• Ability to clearly and effectively present information to internal and external audiences; strong written and speaking skills.
• Ability to apply humanitarian principles in complex operating environments.  

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

People Focus
Build strong relationships and deliver solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team provides; acts when standards are not met by the 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 different regions or countries' unique needs. Use a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.

Cultivate 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.

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.

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

Collaborates
Build partnerships and work 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.

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 communication methods.

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 concisely and professionally when speaking or writing.

SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and 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 upfront with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.

Manages Ambiguity
Operate effectively, even when things are unclear, or the way forward is unclear. Responds effectively to ambiguous situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity, and makes progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes and 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. Considering the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization shifts priorities appropriately.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

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

Financial Acumen
Interprets and applies to understanding 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 collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making. 

Project Management Skills
The ability to plan and manage small project 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. Considering the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization shifts priorities appropriately.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Interns and possible consultants.                                  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
At a minimum, the Job Holder should possess:
•    Advanced degree in International Relations, Public Health, or related field.
•    Five years of relevant experience in humanitarian affairs and/or global health; two years of on-the-ground applied international experience. 
•    Demonstrated understanding of complex humanitarian settings and the medical needs of displaced populations and populations affected by conflict. MSF operational experience is an asset. 
•    Strong understanding of the application of humanitarian principles in complex operating environments.
•    Understanding of the core functions of the US Government and the United Nations relating to humanitarian health programming. Knowledge of humanitarian funding streams and donor dynamics.
•    Demonstrated knowledge of a diverse range of current humanitarian contexts and the intersection of politics and humanitarian response.
•    Ability to efficiently research, analyze, and synthesize complex topics in order to write briefing notes, reports and high-level correspondence. 
•    Strong writing skills and comfort with public speaking. Ability to clearly and effectively present information to internal and external audiences in both verbal and written forms.    
•    Ability to multitask and effectively prioritize numerous divergent demands. 
•    Flexibility, curiosity, and a dedication to humanitarian values. 
•    Fluency in English with strong writing skills is required; working proficiency in at least one of the following languages: Arabic, French, Spanish. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 
Role will be based in our DC Office with occasional travel to our NYC Office and potential international travel.

COMPENSATION
$101,769 to $152,653; In alignment with MSF USA’s compensation framework, new hires are offered between the minimum and midpoint of the range based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

This is a temporary position expected to run through the end of February 2026.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement:
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 accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at recruitment@newyork.msf.org.

We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.