Humanitarian Affairs Advisor (civ-mil)

Overview of role

The Humanitarian Affairs Advisor (civ-mil) monitors the implementation of US defense strategy doctrine and policy across the Pentagon the Joint Staff and the combatant commands and assesses the implications for MSF patients staff and medical facilities. The position develops and maintains relationships across the US defense sector through which MSF can raise operational concerns. The Advisor works in support of MSF-USA and MSF operational centers ensuring that engagement in Washington reflects and responds to the experience of MSF teams in the field.

Relationships

The Humanitarian Affairs Advisor reports to the Humanitarian Representative to the United States

Main Responsibilities

• Lead on MSF humanitarian notifications to the US military in coordination with the Humanitarian Representative to the US MSF operational centers and field teams including submission confirmation of receipt and follow-up.
• Monitor the functioning of humanitarian notification and deconfliction arrangements document cases where they do notoperateas intended and raise these with the relevant US military counterparts.
• Monitor US military doctrine policy operational concepts force development and practice and report on developments with implications for civilian protection humanitarianaccessand the delivery of impartial medical care.
• Analyze developments in the military and geopolitical environment and providetimelyassessments of their relevance to MSF.
• Ensure that observations from MSF field operations inform engagement in Washington and that relevant developments in Washington are communicated to MSF operational teams.
• Support MSF dialogue with the Department of War and the combatant commands on respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians medical personnel patients humanitarian staff and other protected persons and objects.
• Present operational evidence and concerns from MSF projects in that dialogue including on the conduct of hostilities precautions in attack protection of medical care and humanitarian access.
• Identifyopportunities for international humanitarian law and the protection of medical care to be reflected in military doctrine training exercises operationalplanningand lessons-learned processes.
• Advise the Humanitarian Representative on opportunities for humanitarian dialogueand onhow MSF positions should be framed.
• Develop andmaintaina network of interlocutors across the US defense sector including military legal policy operationaltrainingand academic communitiesanticipatingwhere access will berequired.
• Deliver briefings and provide training to relevant US audiences including military schools warfighting and mission rehearsal exercises and pre-deployment briefings.
• Undertake other humanitarian affairsbodies of workasrequired.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum ten years of professional experience including at operational and/or strategic level within the US military or a related government department such as a combatant command thePentagonor other parts of the US interagency.
• A military background or a substantial civil-military background gained through humanitarian work.
• Practical knowledge of the structure and functioning of the Department of Warin particularthe Office of the Secretary the JointStaffand the combatant commands.
• Operational humanitarian experience. MSFexperiencea bonus.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze military doctrinepolicyand global developments and toidentifytheir relevance to an organization such as MSF.
• Working knowledge of international humanitarian law and relevant international human rights law with practical experience of its application including on the mitigation of civilian harm in armed conflict.
• Strong analyticaldraftingand verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build andmaintainprofessional relationships within large institutions.
• Availability to travel within the United States for short periods and overseas for courses formalengagementsor supportvisits.

Location

Washington DC (On-site or Hybrid; Hybrid In Office is Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

This role is based in our Washington DC office

Travel Requirements

International travelasrequired

COMPENSATION

$124k - $139k; In alignment with MSF USAs compensation framework new hires are generally offered between the minimum and midpoint of the range based on relevant experience skills and internal equity.

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 seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.

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 .

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

Safeguarding Statement:

All Employees and Representatives of MSF USA have a duty to treat the individuals families and communities with whom we interact and serve with dignity and respect and to ensure their safety and protection. We are committed to fostering a workplace and organizational culture that is safe inclusive and free from harassment abuse exploitation and discrimination. This commitment is supported by policies and procedures that promote an environment where misconduct and abuse are not tolerated.

Employment may be contingent upon satisfactory reference checks and/or background screening appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.