Climate, Environment & Health Engagement and Advocacy Lead

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Fixed-term at 100%

Duration: until 31st of December 2026, with possible extension for 2027

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 10th of September

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office, able to issue a contract, of their country of residence at the time of application. If no MSF office exists in their country of residence, the successful candidate will be expected to relocate to a country where an MSF office can issue a contract, provided the local legislation allows for that.

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, 28 associations and 19 branch 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.

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.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

I. CONTEXT 

Climate change and environmental degradation increasingly affect the health and well-being of vulnerable populations served by MSF, while also shaping the context in which humanitarian action takes place.

MSF has committed to ambitious climate and environmental objectives, including:

• The 2019 Green Motion

• The 2020 Environmental Pact

• A 50% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030

• Signature of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations

• Inclusion of Climate & Environment action as one of MSF’s five common strategic ambitions in SPARC, structured around Adaptation, Advocacy, and Mitigation

• To respond effectively, MSF must ensure:

• Coherent internal positioning across sections and operational directorates

• Strong, field-grounded advocacy and engagement

• Effective communication and coordination for international and internal decision-making

The Climate, Environment and Health (CEH) Intersectional Advocacy and Positioning Group (IAPG) plays a key role in aligning MSF’s internal analysis, positioning, and advocacy across the movement, while the Climate & Environment Programme of Engagement (PoE) structures movement-wide engagement on complex and political C&E dossiers.

II. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The CEH Engagement, Advocacy & Positioning Lead supports the implementation of MSF’s Climate & Environment Programme of Engagement by coordinating internal engagement, positioning, advocacy preparation, and communication on climate, environment and health.

Under the responsibility of the IO Climate & Environment Team Lead, the role works with operational directorates, platforms, the International Office, and other relevant MSF stakeholders to support coherent, field-informed CEH positioning and engagement in strategic advocacy opportunities.

The role translates complex CEH issues into structured engagement processes and clear communication outputs that support alignment, informed debate, and decision-making across MSF.

III. ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Coordinate the CEH Intersectional Advocacy & Positioning Group (IAPG)

Accountable for ensuring the effective coordination, functioning, and follow-up of the CEH Intersectional Advocacy & Positioning Group.

• Plan, convene, and facilitate regular IAPG meetings, including agenda-setting and follow-up.

• Ensure clear workplans, priorities, decision-making processes, and tracking of agreed actions.

• Maintain information flow between the IAPG, Steering Committee, International Office, and relevant MSF platforms.

• Coordinate sub-groups or task teams when needed.

2. Lead Internal Stakeholder Engagement

Accountable for supporting inclusive and structured engagement across MSF to build alignment on CEH and PoE-related dossiers.

• Map and engage relevant internal stakeholders across sections, Operational Directorates, platforms, and field structures.

• Design and facilitate consultation processes to gather input and identify areas of convergence or divergence.

• Support dialogue and alignment between operational, advocacy, medical, logistical, and governance stakeholders.

• Escalate key issues or unresolved divergences to the appropriate decision-making bodies.

3. Support CEH Positioning and Advocacy

Accountable for coordinating the development of coherent CEH positioning and supporting MSF’s engagement in relevant advocacy spaces.

• Coordinate the development of position papers, key messages, briefing notes, and advocacy materials.

• Support preparation for MSF engagement in relevant international fora, including UNFCCC and other global policy spaces.

• Ensure advocacy positions are informed by operational realities and aligned across relevant MSF stakeholders.

• Monitor key external developments and identify implications for MSF positioning and engagement.

4. Develop Internal Communication and Engagement Products

Accountable for ensuring clear, consistent, and accessible communication on CEH-related work across MSF.

• Develop internal communication plans and products adapted to different MSF audiences.

• Coordinate the production of briefings, presentations, webinars, talking points, and other engagement materials.

• Ensure consistency and quality of messaging across CEH-related communication outputs.

• Organize and support internal debates, workshops, or information sessions when required

5. Strengthen Knowledge Management and Climate Literacy

Accountable for improving access to CEH knowledge and supporting institutional learning across MSF.

• Curate and maintain CEH resources, tools, documents, and lessons learned.

• Facilitate learning initiatives, webinars, reflection spaces, and capacity-building activities.

• Ensure key documents, decisions, and outputs are properly documented and accessible.

• Identify knowledge gaps and propose practical ways to address them.

6. Ensure process, Administrative and logistical support

Accountable for ensuring timely administrative and organisational support for CEH-related coordination, advocacy, and events.

• Coordinate administrative follow-up for CEH-related processes, including UNFCCC participation where relevant.

• Support the organisation of meetings, workshops, webinars, and advocacy-related events.

• Track key deadlines, required inputs, and follow-up actions.

IV. AUTONOMY, COMPLEXITY

The role advises management IO leadership on engagement, positioning and communications strategies and content, translates complex CEH issues into outputs and strategies. The role is able to organize and prioritize deliverables independently.

The role uses subject matter expertise, analysis, independent judgement and translates CHE-concepts into practical outputs and strategies. This role works across both internal and external stakeholders, influencing decisions, building consensus around positioning and advocacy topics and strategies.  

V. SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

The incumbent commits to contribute to a safe, supportive, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy workplace, free from abuse and other misconduct.  They will not engage in any form of abuse including those detailed in MSF Typologies of Abuse and when an employee suspects or observes abuse, they will report it (without investigating it) to protect others. 

Education

• A master's degree in relevant field such as international law, human rights, etc. or a bachelor's degree combined with significant relevant experience in advocacy, representation, etc.

Experience

• 3-5 years of work experience at MSF

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in advocacy representation

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Humanitarian Sector, knowledge of the Humanitarian Climate and Environment dossiers, writing and presentation skills

Languages

• Fluent in English

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.