Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Holland in Amsterdam is looking as of 1st
July 2005 for a new

                    Humanitarian Affairs Field Advisor
                    For a period of three years (100%)


INTRODUCTION

The Humanitarian Affairs Department works closely with MSF field operations
and  the Amsterdam headquarters to promote humanitarian responses guided by
a  critical  understanding  of  the  mission  context  and of MSF's guiding
principles,  and  to  develop  and implement the witnessing, protection and
advocacy components of MSF's work.

ORGANIZATIONAL POSITION

The humanitarian affairs field advisor is a member of the Humanitarian
Affairs Department. S/he is hierarchically and functionally accountable to
the head of the department.

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

The overall objective of this function is to strengthen MSF humanitarian
mission in the field. This objective will be accomplished by the provision
of quality, timely advice to the field teams and through training, the
development of tools, background research and development and indirect
support in order to:
-    enhance the understanding of protection needs within a given dynamic
context;
-    support the translation of protection needs into an effective and
appropriate mission guided by humanitarian principles;
-    strengthen and further develop MSF's capacity to witness, protect and
advocate;
-    improve integration between medical action and witnessing
(temoignage).

Each field advisor focuses on a specific portfolio of missions (typically
involving 6 - 10 countries) as well as providing indirect support on
certain thematic and other organizational issues.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

A.    Direct Support

The Field Advisor is responsible for promoting critical humanitarian
engagement in MSF missions, safeguarding the integration of the temoignage
and medical components of MSF's work, and assuring that operations reflect
MSF's core organizational principles and values. The Field Advisor:
-     acts as a sparring partner to the Country Management Team and
Operational Director on protection issues in order to help define external
constraints on and opportunities for MSF operations and identity, drawing
on a legal and political understanding of the mission context;
-     directs the witnessing and protection role of MSF, assures the
development and implementation of advocacy strategies, and their inclusion
in country policies and practices;
-     promotes a critical understanding of humanitarian action in its
context (e.g. do no harm, political ramifications of project activities).
-     provides legal and practical advice and training on international
humanitarian law, refugee law, human rights, and humanitarian principles;
-     assists the field in the drafting of letters, position papers,
briefing documents, reports, etc.;
-     advises on the process of the gathering, analysis and synthesis of
information and provides appropriate tools and direct feedback;
-     supports the process of context analysis and scenario writing, and
their translation into concrete operational choices;
-     briefs incoming and outgoing staff as appropriate;
-     implements field consultancies including training and workshops, and
assists in the facilitation of regional meetings;
-     collaborates with colleagues of the Public Health Department and
Medical Coordinators to safeguard and further develop the integration
between witnessing and medical action in the field;
-     contributes to coordination of intersectional MSF advocacy efforts;

B.    Indirect Support
The Field Advisor functions as the link between MSF's field activities and
the ongoing development of trainings, tools, policies and positions on the
organizational level, and vice versa. The Field Advisor:
-     supports the development of manuals and guidelines on humanitarian
issues;
-     produces advocacy materials such as position papers and reports, and
contributes to strengthening MSF's witnessing and protection role;
-     contributes to the development, organization and facilitation of
training and workshops, concerning MSF's humanitarian mission;
-     develops and maintains networks with academic and other institutions
and organizations;
-     initiates and contributes to (inter) national debates, workshops and
conferences, writes articles, gives presentations;
-     furthers the development of the (emergency) public health and human
rights linkage in collaboration with other departments;
-     draws on experiences in our field portfolio to identify emerging
humanitarian issues and develops background research and development for
growing awareness, position taking and publication.


PROFILE

-     Law degree in the field of international humanitarian and/or human
rights law; OR relevant academic degree (e.g., law, political science,
international relations) AND proven familiarity with humanitarian and human
rights law;
-     Field experience in the types of countries where MSF is active
(prefer at least 2 years);
-     thorough knowledge of the humanitarian sector and current
debates/dilemmas around humanitarian assistance;
-     strong analytical and advisory skills and the ability to translate
complex context analysis into clear conclusions and recommendations;
-     proven writing ability (reports, position papers, etc.);
-     excellent verbal communication and training skills;
-     affinity with and knowledge of MSF positions and operations in the
field;
-     affinity with and knowledge (or willingness to develop knowledge) of
public health and human rights linkage;
-     fluency in English, passive knowledge of French, Spanish or another
language; fluency in Dutch an advantage;
-     sense of humor, good team-player, flexible, ability to work
independently and under pressure

WE ARE OFFERING
-     A contract for three years with a fulltime appointment based on 5
days per week.
-     A gross salary in scale 6 of a minimum of EUR 2.618 and a maximum of
EUR 3.875 per month, based on relevant work experience, for a fulltime
employment (based on a 40-hour week).
-     A stimulating, professional working environment in an international
organisation.
-     A premium free pension scheme
-     Childcare arrangements

FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Additional information can be requested from Marc Dubois (Head HAD), (tel.
+31 20 520 8947). The closing date for this vacancy is 30th May 2005.
If you are interested in this position please send your written application
and cv before 30th May 2005 to HRM-Office, for the attention of Ms Jaline
Wijkhuizen, PO Box 10014, 1001 EA Amsterdam, or by e-mail:
[log in to unmask] mentioning 'Humanitarian Affairs Field
Advisor'.

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