Head of Mission Support at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - Switzerland

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Mission Support

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Contract
Type of Contract: 6-month Fixed Term, Renewable

Scope of Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Supporting the Head of Mission in security management and coordination tasks, ensuring a smooth relation with local and national authorities, contributing to the context analysis and follow-up, providing translations and interpretations according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to facilitate the mission coordination tasks
• Supporting the HoM in promoting and protecting the MSF image externally and assisting in context analysis, disseminating relevant context information to the coordination team, regularly informing them on key issues, updating general information on the context for MSF internal documents and advising on cultural appropriateness of organized activities and individual behaviours.
• Analysing the risks and the security level of the context of the mission and assisting in conducting risk assessments and in the development, security plans for the mission and project. Advising the PC and HoM on aspects of security management
• Establishing and maintaining external relationships with relevant authorities and stakeholders. Keeping good knowledge of counterparts in different administrations and departments and keeping up to date records of field contacts (other NGOs, UN agencies, local authorities, etc.) verifying that they are easily accessible, in order to facilitate contacts and meetings.
• At the request of the Head of Mission, assisting the HoM or representing MSF in meetings (NGOs, official bodies and administrations, etc.) and preparing full report
• Ensuring the follow up of relevant administrative dossiers such as the MSF registration in the country, working permits, immigration policies, national protocols, etc.
• At the request of the HoM, preparing and conducting an information briefing, focusing on the country context for International Regional and Relocated Staff
• Translating sensitive documents and acting as an interpreter when needed. Writing letters and correspondences with officials and partners and preparing reports, internal memos and formal requests. Monitoring the correspondances in the absence of the HoM.
• Assisting in the elaboration of the advocacy plan of the mission in collaboration with the PC, MedCo and the Communications responsible and supporting its implementation and follow up.
• Follow very closely the evolution of the context at the project and national level. Bauchi, Borno state and the neighbouring countries in the LCB
• Follow up, renew and update networking with authorities at the project level by working closely with the Project coordinator and project coordinator assistant.
• Participate in drafting and updating of the mission and project safety and security planning.
• Elaborate and update the actor contact list
• Contribute to the maping of the actors
• Assisting the HOM organizing meetings with stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree or similar level of Education
• Experience in humanitarian aid preferably within MSF Essential strong understanding of the workings of the different administrations of the country.
• Computer proficiency in MS Excel and Word
• Good analytical skills, at ease with figures and economics data
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills, including writing skills
• People Management and Development, Commitment to MSF Principles, Behavioural Flexibility, Results and Quality Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation.

Application Closing Date
20th November, 2022.