Advocacy and Communications Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency aid to individuals affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion, and natural disasters. Founded in 1971, MSF operates in over 70 countries and is known for its commitment to delivering assistance based solely on need, without regard to race, religion, gender, or political affiliation. MSF International serves as the legal entity that unites MSF's 24 sections, 27 associations, and 18 branch offices, providing coordination, information, and support to the MSF Movement while implementing international projects and initiatives as required. The MSF Access team is dedicated to improving the accessibility, availability, affordability, appropriateness, and quality of healthcare products for the populations it assists, playing a crucial role in identifying and implementing priority access projects and supporting access activities across the organization.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy and Communications Advisor position is pivotal in designing and implementing effective advocacy and communication strategies aimed at overcoming access hurdles for healthcare products. Reporting to the Head of Hub Asia Pacific, the advisor will engage with governments, non-governmental stakeholders, health product companies, and the research community to promote MSF's strategic objectives and priorities. The role involves developing communication strategies to raise awareness and garner public and political support for advocacy priorities at local and regional levels. The advisor will also be responsible for building and maintaining networks with key partners, MSF entities in the region, and relevant media to further the objectives of the Strategic Plan and engage external partners effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main activities of the Advocacy and Communications Advisor include identifying key political events and policies that require influence, developing strategies and tactics to engage with these political processes, and strengthening relationships with regional stakeholders. The advisor will mobilize and manage MSF's access, advocacy, and communications efforts in the region, supporting MSF access initiatives as needed. Additionally, the advisor will lead the development, implementation, and assessment of communication strategies aligned with key advocacy objectives, provide support on communications opportunities relevant to advocacy efforts, and coordinate internal communications to inform and mobilize the MSF network on advocacy initiatives. The advisor will also manage the preparation and dissemination of communications packages to the MSF communications network and external audiences, ensuring coherence with global Access messages and strategies while building relationships with external actors for collaborative communications and campaign initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in advocacy and communications, with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a proven ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies, as well as experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and the media. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills are essential, along with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to foster collaboration and influence key decision-makers.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, international relations, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant discipline is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for this role. Additional training or certifications in advocacy, public health, or humanitarian work would be advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires at least 6 years of professional experience in advocacy and communications, with a focus on health-related issues or humanitarian work. Experience working within the Asia Pacific region is essential, as the candidate will need to navigate the specific political and cultural contexts of the area. Proven experience in developing and executing successful advocacy campaigns and communication strategies is critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within MSF and for external engagement. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Asia Pacific region, such as Malay, Mandarin, or other local languages, would be considered an asset and beneficial for building relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is intended for candidates from the Asia Pacific region. The role is integral to MSF's mission and requires a commitment to the organization's humanitarian principles. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be discussed during the interview process, and the organization offers a range of benefits to support employee well-being and professional development.