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Temporary Congressional Affairs Liaison

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

 

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. 
 
MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.  

Role Overview

The Temporary Congressional Affairs Liaison provides strategic and analytical support to both MSF USA and MSF’s International Operations, serving as a key member of the Program Department team based in Washington, D.C. This role is responsible for maintaining consistent and proactive engagement with the U.S. Congress on a wide range of humanitarian issues, with particular attention to urgent needs such as malnutrition, civilian protection, and outbreak response. The Liaison works to position MSF effectively among congressional staff and offices, ensuring the organization’s priorities are understood and considered in relevant policy discussions.

In addition to cultivating and maintaining a strong network of contacts within Congress, the Liaison monitors legislative debates and developments related to foreign assistance, domestic migration policy, and U.S. diplomatic and military involvement abroad. These areas are especially important when they have implications for humanitarian response. The role also involves advising MSF on strategic approaches to congressional engagement, helping the organization navigate complex political landscapes, and amplifying its voice in support of its mission.

 

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 discrete projects managed by MSF USA.

 

Roles Specific Outcomes
Internal and External Representation and Relationship Management

  • Support the MSF Humanitarian Team in engaging with the U.S. Congress by working with the HPA to develop and implement a congressional engagement strategy.
  • Conduct regular outreach to key congressional staff and identify strategic opportunities, both discrete and public, to influence debates and policy.
  • Collaborate with internal MSF stakeholders to align messaging and advocacy efforts.

Analysis, Representation, and Networking with Named U.S.-Based Actors

  • Maintain and expand relationships with congressional offices, including Members of Congress, staffers, relevant committees, and the Congressional Research Service.
  • Engage with these actors to advance MSF’s humanitarian priorities and identify opportunities for influence.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • Monitor and analyze hearings, legislation, reports, events, and trends in the U.S. Government that are relevant to MSF’s mission.
  • Produce timely and concise reports to inform internal stakeholders, support strategic decision-making, and advance MSF’s thinking on key issues.

Stakeholder Management (Internal)

  • Provide internal stakeholders with relevant information to support advocacy and operational decision-making.
  • Draft, review, and support the development of MSF position papers and advocacy materials, including briefing documents tailored for both expert and non-expert audiences.

Policies and Procedures Development

  • Contribute to the development of advocacy-related policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Ensure alignment with MSF’s broader functional framework and compliance with external legislative and institutional standards.

Organizational Representation

  • Represent MSF in professional forums, congressional briefings, and institutional events to advocate for the needs of MSF’s patients and promote awareness of humanitarian issues.
  • Maintain and develop partnerships with congressional offices to promote MSF’s priorities, organize training, and disseminate institutional positions.

 

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.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and effectively present information to internal and external audiences.
  • Capacity to apply humanitarian principles and MSF’s operational priorities within complex and politically sensitive environments.

Behavioral Competencies

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. Solicit feedback and data; convey a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; act when standards are not met by the team; align 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.

 

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 challenging 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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Builds Effective Teams

Build strong identity teams applying diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

 

Manage Conflicts

Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

 

Build 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 encourage 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 uncertain or the way forward is unclear. Respond effectively to unclear situations, seek to resolve ambiguity, and make progress. Seek guidance on how to adapt to changes and respond 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 to understand 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. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

 

Organizational Insight

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

 

Supervisory Responsibility

No direct supervisory responsibilities

 

Desired Qualifications & Experience
At a minimum, the Job Holder should possess:

  • Education: Advanced degree in International Relations, Public Health, or a related field.
  • Experience: At least five years of relevant experience working in Congress or in congressional affairs, particularly on foreign policy or humanitarian issues, ideally with NGOs or similar organizations.
  • Legislative Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the structure, processes, and dynamics of the U.S. Congress.
  • Humanitarian Insight: Familiarity with complex humanitarian settings and the medical needs of displaced or conflict-affected populations. MSF operational experience is considered an asset.
  • Analytical Skills: Proven ability to efficiently research, analyze, and synthesize complex topics into briefing notes, reports, and high-level correspondence.
  • Communication Skills: Strong writing and public speaking abilities, with the capacity to clearly and effectively present information to both internal and external audiences.
  • Organizational Skills: Ability to multitask and prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
  • Personal Attributes: Flexibility, intellectual curiosity, and a strong commitment to humanitarian values.

Travel Requirements 

Occasional domestic and potential international travel

 

Compensation

Please Note: This is a temporary position expected to run through the end of December 2026. Compensation is set at $101,769 to $152,653 annually, depending on experience. Salary will be prorated based on the duration of the assignment.

 

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.

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