Regional Avocacy Advisor

Location: Brazil

Contract: Fixed-term at 100%

Duration: 18 months

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 26th of March, 2023

MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) 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.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

The MSF Access Campaign is part of MSF International.

Médecins Sans Frontières set up the MSF Access Campaign in 1999 to address systemic challenges and improve access to existing medical tools (medicines, diagnostics and vaccines) and to stimulate the development of urgently needed better tools for people in countries where MSF works and beyond. The priorities of the Access Campaign are guided by the medical challenges faced by MSF and its patients in its operational settings. The primary objectives of the Access Campaign include identifying, analysing and advocating for changes around the legal and regulatory systems and practices that hinder access to medical tools and innovation suitable for people in need especially in resource limited settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

Under the supervision of the MSF Access Campaign Deputy head of Policy and Advocacy, the MSF Access Campaign Regional advisor ( LATAM with focus on Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and some regional institutions) implements effective advocacy strategies towards governments, non-governmental stakeholders, pharmaceutical companies, Regional institutions and the research community in the region to support the objectives of the MSF Access Campaign (AC).

The position holder leads on customizing and delivering international objectives of the MSF AC in the region and supports collaboration of the Access Campaign with relevant MSF offices in the region.

The advocacy Advisor is responsible to:

• Within the objectives of the Access Campaign strategy and annual plans: analyse trends and opportunities at regional level (both regional institutions and key countries) and advise on new opportunities and threats; based on this analysis, work with AC and other MSF colleagues to implement advocacy strategies and plans on the Ac project portfolio
• Develop Regional strategies (contextualization of global objectives, identification of clear and achievable objectives, Stakeholder mapping, regional global health / Political events, activity plan, budget, partnerships, messages).
• Develop and strengthen the engagement with civil society and governments, interact with medical and research institutions; and establish dialogues with health technologies producers
• Ensure alignment and excellent collaboration between the AC internationally and the MSF sections in the region; identify concrete synergies and support the development of specific advocacy plans with the sections
• Strengthen alliance with MSF associations
• Act as campaign liaison for LATAM operation teams to increase their awareness on medical-political issues affecting access in the field and support them to achieve access solutions and when appropriate advocacy plans.
• Act as MSF AC spokesperson in presentations at high-level events, interviews, meetings and campaigns.
• Produce technical and analytical content to support the development of letters, articles, briefings, publications and other advocacy documents.
• Organize events, technical briefings and campaigning activities.
• Coordinate projects and dossiers from the MSF AC strategic plan and act as focal point for specific agendas.
• Report back on achievements and keep track of stakeholders interactions
• Participate in MSF AC calls (team call and dossiers calls)

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and support MSF AC advocacy strategy in the region.

• Provide support and facilitate collaboration on advocacy strategies and approaches to achieve AC regional objectives in the region with a particular focus on Brazil, Argentina, Colombia. with MSF advocacy officers based in sections and with MSF operations in the region when relevant to the medical priority dossiers;
• Support and contribute to continuous monitoring and analysis of policies and stakeholders influential on issues relevant for the AC in the region to underpin the advocacy strategy;
• Contribute to the development and strengthening of engagement with civil society and governments, and interact with medical and research institutions in the region as well as industry;
• Collaborate with other AC teams in the region and keep the management informed on potential developments;
• Coordinate with MSF AC Communications Department to support any relevant communications;
• Support ad hoc delivery of other objectives in MSF AC Plan of Action as needed;
• Ensure representation and advocate for MSF AC messages on key global health events (WHO EB, WHA, BRICS regional meetings etc.);
• Maintain excellent effective coordination with the Humanitarian Representation Team representative in Brazil supporting development and delivery of coherent messages to support the objectives of MSF’s Access Campaign in the region;
• Develop collaboration with the MSF associations in the region, ensuring MSF AC activities are presented during MSF General Assemblies in the region.

Networking

• Maintain and expand network with policy makers, regional platforms, NGO’s, academics (participate in meetings, panel discussions, briefings of policy makers etc.);
• Monitor relevant government positions and ensure MSF positions are shared with governments;
• Liaise and Input into advocacy work plan in Brazil and Argentina.
• Promote when necessary the participation of civil society actors in projects and campaigns lead by MSF by the means of local, regional and global articulations.

Access Campaign medical priority dossiers

• Develop a specific regional strategy based of MSF AC project portfolio and their relevance to the regional context.
• Ensure the regional context and MSF operational experience is reflected on MSF AC messages
• Raise awareness about access problems and the innovation crisis for neglected diseases, and the failure of market-based Research & Development mechanisms. Increase support for alternative models and entry of new producers
• Ensure MSF AC messages are reflected Key Global Health events and negotiations (UHC, G20, WHO treaties, WHA’s etc.) and Regional meetings (PAHO, Celac, Mercosur, Unasur, BRICS)
• Gather data from countries on their policies related to specific diseases, to inform AC surveys, reports and other advocacy documents.
• Establish and facilitate dialogue with existing and potential producers of medical products of relevance for MSF needs.

Transversal policy issues

• Promote MSF analysis on intellectual property barriers to expanded access to treatments, diagnostics, vaccines and other biological products; on fair pricing and on public interest driven R&D to relevant stakeholders and counter misinformation frequently disseminated by others;
• Document and provide information to regional stakeholders and work with them on IP issues when necessary.
• As part of project management and MSF priorities, engage on patent landscaping work related to strategic products. Support patent opposition strategies on strategic products.
• Engage on patent law reform and R&D reform through legislative advocacy when necessary.
• Share MSF positions and inputs to the development of local and regional production plans

Other

• Undertake other ad hoc tasks as required by the deputy Head of Policy Advocacy.

• Commitment to MSF principles,

• MSF or similar humanitarian, civil society or government experience highly valued

• Over 3 years of global health or advocacy experience, with a good understanding of regional dynamics

• Degree in communications, political, social science or equivalent

• Strategic thinking and organisational and planning ability;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Proficiency in Portugese, English; knowledge of other languages is a plus.

• Knowledge and understanding of issues related to access to medicines and the conduct and financing of medical research and development.

• Ability to work cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting with long-distance working relationships.

• Capacity to work autonomously.

• Experience liaising with members of governments, pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, and/or multi-lateral organizations.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

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