Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) Analysis and Advocacy Advisor

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization that delivers impartial medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in over 70 countries.

MSF has been working continuously in Lebanon since 2008. Today our operational teams work all over the country delivering quality, free of charge medical care to those who need it.

MSF Lebanon Branch office is part of the MSF international movement. Our team is composed of 20 full time employees based in Beirut and Cairo working together in the areas of international field recruitment, communications and medical operational support.

From Lebanon and Egypt, we work regionally and contribute globally to MSF’s medical humanitarian response.

BACKGROUND

The discovery of antibiotics brought about a complete revolution in the field of medicine. But today, their efficiency is declining fast, as bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

Antibiotic Resistance (ABR)  is an operational  priority and and MSF is committing to ensure that its analysis and advocacy will develop from its field operations. 

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

The Antibiotic Resistance Analysis and Advocacy Advisor will take the  lead in the analysis of specific dossiers that involve reflection, analysis, research, development of advocacy strategies and positioning in MSF linked to ABR .  The position will play a key role in the Intersectional ABR Coordinating platformfacilitated by the MSF Lebanon branch office.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Analysis

• Be the reference/focal person for health policy issues linked to ABR
• Provide analysis, operational support and support to positioning on ABR
• Provide critical review and analysis on upcoming trends and potential implications for;

Positioning and advocacy

• Enhance and propose coherent MSF positioning on issues related to Antibiotic Resistance
• Contribute/lead in the development of advocacy strategies, both in countries where MSF is operational and at international level;
• Represent MSF in colloquia, symposia and networks on health policy;
• Coordinate with other MSF sections on development of positioning; or advocacy strategies linked to ABR

Specific country support

• Contribute to the development and review of in-country policy & advocacy strategies linked to ABR
• Together with the field, provide input into international strategies and messaging, including centralizing and analyzing country based info;
• Support development of tools (reports, briefing papers, comms messages, talking points etc) as part of our advocacy strategies both for country as well as international;
• Provide analytical and advisory support to Operations on the trends, potential implications and impact of international policies and practices concerning health, including funding and delivery mechanisms.

General / Others

• Stimulate internal critical reflection (with and on operations) and feedassociative debates.
• Link national level efforts with international advocacy strategies; 
• Develop or support the development of tools (reports, briefing papers, communication messages, talking points, etc) in order to share our experiences and challenge/ influence the environment;
• Proactively identify key policy debates in health policy, ensuring they are known within MSF, that their potential impact for MSF are taken into account in operations and positioning.
• Respond to requests for in-depth analysis in coordination with operations, the medical department and the general direction, and contribute on priorities within the global action plan.
• Identify and maintain a network of policy-makers, NGOs, umbrella groups and academics, in particular around the topic of Antibiotic Resistance
• Contribute and provide input into communication material
• Contribute to external publications and their dissemination;
• Contribute to the production of internal awareness raising material within the movement.
• Contribute to the Annual ¨State of Antibiotic Resistance Report” and the ABR day with analysis.

REQUIREMENTS

• Significant field experience for at least 3 years with MSF or other field humanitarian organizations in health; preferably including MSF field work.
• A demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues and to the aims and values of MSF;
• Knowledge/experience or strong interest of current issues relating to global health, health systems and health policies, the political approach towards health needs in developing countries and access to healthcare;
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Proven representation, combined with a willingness to act as a spokesperson;
• Strong communication and negotiation skills;
• Experience in advocacy, in particular concerning health policy and medical advocacy.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, Arabic is a plus.
• Ability to work independently, take initiatives and seize opportunities as well as supervise other people’s work;
• (Para)medical profile or Masters Degree in a health-related field is an advantage;
• Availability to travel extensively; Regular travel is expected with field visits, conferences and meetings.