Head of Mission Support at Medecins Sans Frotieres - Holland

Main Objective and Responsibility of the Position

• 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.

Description of the Responsibilities / Activities

• 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 behaviors.
• Analyzing 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 correspondences 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.
• The Head of Misison support is key member of the misison coordition(Country Managemnet Team) to assist the Coordination in broader context understanding in Nigeria in the following areas;

Context Analysis:

• Support the operation in understanding the operational evironment and analyse the chnaging trend to advise the HoM for prompt action
• Support in the development and review of secuirty and safety guidelines inclduing the risk analysis.
• Actively participate in the development of country strategy, project documents, contracts, advocacy strategies and all startegic docuements with the rest of the Country Managment Teams
• Provide cultural briefings to all new members of the organisation.
• Support PCs in broader understanding of the working context
• Act as Liaison between the Federal and State authorities.

Requirements (Qualifications)

• 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
• Experience working in political, security and humanitarian issues in the country
• Languages: English, French, mission and local language essential
• Knowledge 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

Competencies Results and Quality Orientation:

• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Commitment to MSF Principles
• Service Orientation
• Stress Management.