Regional Humanitarian Access and Networking Advisor for Central Africa (m/f/x) – Nairobi – MSF Belgium Full Time

CONTEXT

Within MSF-OCB (Operational Center Brussels), the Analysis department is a multidisciplinary team that contributes to the MSF’s social mission by:

• Conducting in-depth humanitarian and health policy related research/reflection
• Developing and implementing advocacy strategies
• Expanding our operational networks
• Supporting and challenging operations
• And positioning the organization on the politics of health and humanitarianism based on MSF’s operational experience.

The department is composed of experienced humanitarian workers with diverse expertise:

• The Health Politics team
• The Forced Migration team
• The Conflict and Humanitarianism team
• The Humanitarian Access and Networking team

As theRegional Humanitarian Access and Networking Advisor for Central Africa,you will be part of the Humanitarian Access and Networking Team. The team consists of four regional advisers and a coordinator. It focuses on supporting operations to strengthen their context analysis and networking capacity. The Regional advisers are responsible for developing an in-depth regional context analysis and will support operations in developing their operational networks and humanitarian negotiations where needed.

In Central Africa, MSF-OCB is currently operational in DRC, Burundi, CAR and Chad.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Context analysis

• Carry out on-going in-depth analysis of the region, monitoring the political, economic and military dynamics, in synergy and in coordination with Operations department (Emergency pool, Cells and country teams involved)
• Ensure, together with the operations, that regular actor mapping is carried out of all political, military, and civil society actors relevant to our area of operations
• Monitor and analyze regional developments and links between countries in the region to help operations understand the impact of political developments across the region on our operations
• Provide regular updates on political developments according to priority contexts/groups set by operations and analysis department, especially when it comes to positions/threats/opportunities regarding aid actors

Networking

• Reinforce regional context analysis and networking in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Cameroon as per operational needs
• Support the Country Coordinators and Operations Coordinator on networking and humanitarian negotiations
• Support the operations in the development of a country-level networking strategy that is coherent across the region
• Identify ways to support operations in their engagement with governments, military, academic and civil society (based on identified gaps) at regional level
• Liaise with the Humanitarian Representatives for East and West Africa on networking relevant to the region
• Liaise with other MSF projects in the region on access and networking issues
• Network with external specialists in coordination with operations and analysis department colleagues

Support and coaching

• Develop a strategy to support and coach senior project -and country-based colleagues that are involved in context analysis and networking (including through the exchange of best-practices, training opportunities, regular meetings, etc. at regional level)
• Facilitate and support training on Humanitarian Negotiations in the region
• Organize regular workshops for MSF networkers in the region to provide updated context analysis and networking strategies

Operational support

• Participate in exploratory assessments to identify potential new operations (emergency or regular projects)
• Short-term gap-filling assignments to support operations in the region (maximum 2 months)

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• A degree in a medical qualification, political sciences, sociology, international relations, International Humanitarian Law or another relevant area of study
• At least 10 years of operational experience in different humanitarian contexts, including in the Central Africa Region
• Senior level international experience (Coordination roles) with MSF or in a similar humanitarian international organization
• Direct experience in humanitarian negotiation with diverse stakeholders is mandatory
• Experience of working in insecure environments, and emergency response operations
• Proven track record in context analysis, negotiation and networking
• Excellent knowledge of the Central Africa Region

Competencies

• Proven ability to take initiatives and to work independently
• Capacity to develop and implement a strategic vision
• Strong networking skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to represent MSF toward multiple counterparts
• Very good written and oral communication skills
• Team player
• Cross-cultural awareness

Languages

• Proficiency in French, both written & spoken is mandatory
• Good knowledge of English, both written and spoken is mandatory
• Fluency in at least one of the main languages spoken in the region is an asset
  

  CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: March 2026
• Location: Nairobi (Kenya)
• Mobility: minimum of 3 visits per year to programs in the Region
• Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full time
• Contract duration: 2 years (extendable)
• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF Nairobi function and salary grids
• Family position possible according to the hosting MSF entity policies and conditions
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
• Deadline for applications: 10th of February 2026

Tagged as: Kenya, Médecins Sans Frontières