Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Advocate for vulnerable communities and document humanitarian crises to drive change.
- Company: Join Médecins Sans Frontières, a leading humanitarian organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Gain invaluable experience, work in diverse environments, and contribute to meaningful advocacy.
- Why this job: Be the voice for those in need and help shape humanitarian responses globally.
- Qualifications: Master's degree in relevant fields and experience in humanitarian contexts required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Working as a humanitarian affairs officer (HAO) with us can be tough but hugely rewarding. HAOs help Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to expose the impact that conflict and neglect have on the people we serve and to advocate for them. They also ensure we maintain access to our patients. From carefully building a sensitive advocacy strategy to writing reports on the exclusion of certain communities from medical care, the role of an HAO is incredibly varied.
Responsibilities
- Gathering information from all actors involved in the situation they are working in.
- Strategically advising on how MSF operates and communicates in situations that jeopardise our access to patients, our voice and our principles.
- Using the ‘witnessing’ component of MSF’s work to advocate for MSF and the people it serves, documenting disasters and conflicts without bias.
- Collating, analysing and drawing up unbiased reports on a wide variety of issues.
- Conducting data collection and research concerning local/regional/international context, as well as the health and humanitarian situation.
- Supporting the head of mission/medical coordinator and field coordinator/medical team leader in the analysis of the data collected.
- Mapping and keeping abreast of the strategies and activities of relevant NGOs, UN agencies, ICRC, donors, authorities and other actors.
- Facilitating engagement with key external actors, including local authorities and local communities.
- Developing advocacy strategies and implementation plans aimed at addressing the health and humanitarian needs of the population.
- Coordinating discussions, trainings and briefings for country and project-level teams on advocacy and relevant human rights and humanitarian issues.
- Updating key documents, including the Country Strategy and the Country Risk Analysis.
- Promoting and assisting in the implementation of advocacy activities locally, nationally, and internationally.
Role requirements
- Academic background to Master level in anthropology, social/political sciences, law, gender studies or protection.
- At least two years' experience working in humanitarian contexts with MSF or another NGO.
- Essential degree in Law, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Sciences, or related university degree.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to synthesise complex information and identify key issues.
- In-depth understanding of current humanitarian debates, actors, and systems.
- Excellent writing skills with proven track record to draft clear, concise documentation.
- Ability to work independently and negotiate difficult situations with diplomacy and tact.
- Ability to cope with stress and to coordinate/prioritise workload under tight deadlines.
- Willingness and ability to work with individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.
- 12 months availability.
Strong Assets
- Policy, advocacy and/or campaigning experience.
- Experience working with humanitarian protection issues or refugee/migrant case management.
- Experience in networking and establishing relationships.
- Experience in training and/or convening workshops on human rights, humanitarian law and/or humanitarian principles.
- Specialized expertise such as gender, protection, SGBV, or specific country expertise in humanitarian contexts.
- Digital literacy (database design/analysis, MS package, and internet-based research).
Languages
- Minimum of C1 level in English and French.
- Proficiency in Spanish and/or Arabic are considered an asset.
Humanitarian Affairs Officer employer: MSF UK
Contact Detail:
MSF UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Humanitarian Affairs Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the humanitarian sector, especially those already working with MSF. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching current humanitarian issues and MSF's role in them. Show us you’re not just passionate but also informed about the challenges we face and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! As an HAO, you'll need to communicate complex situations clearly. Use mock interviews to refine how you present your experiences and ideas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Humanitarian Affairs Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in humanitarian contexts and showcase your analytical skills. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since excellent writing is key for this role, include examples of your clear and concise documentation. Whether it's reports or advocacy strategies, let us see your ability to communicate complex topics effectively.
Research MSF and Current Humanitarian Issues: Before applying, dive into Médecins Sans Frontières' work and current humanitarian debates. This will not only help you understand our values but also allow you to demonstrate your knowledge in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSF UK
✨Know Your Humanitarian Context
Before the interview, dive deep into the current humanitarian issues relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with recent reports and debates surrounding humanitarian affairs, especially those related to MSF's work. This will not only show your passion but also your understanding of the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've successfully analysed complex information and drawn actionable insights. Think about times when your analytical skills directly influenced decision-making in a humanitarian context. Be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Advocacy Experience
Highlight any previous experience you have in advocacy or policy-making. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve developed and implemented advocacy strategies in past roles. This is crucial for the HAO position, so make sure to connect your experiences to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves writing reports and engaging with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to draft a mock report on a relevant topic to showcase your writing skills during the interview. This will help you stand out as a strong communicator.