Advocacy and Communication Manager

Due to technical issues, previous applicants are kindly asked to reapply

CONTEXT  

The MSF project in Belgium intends to address within a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach, the health needs and main social determinants of populations in situation of exclusion in parallel to pro-actively engaging on the visibility of the problematics and promoting institutional change. The target population includes (undocumented) migrants in transit, migrants in stagnation, asylum seekers excluded from reception and those in administrative detention Specific attention goes to Unaccompanied Minors (UAM).  

Most of them stay in reception facilities, squats, other temporary shelters or on the street. Since it is a project of choice, it integrates medical and advocacy activities with a common catalytic objective.  

Where possible MSF chooses to work in partnership with actors providing shelter, social and legal protection services and/or health care.  

Today, the Belgian mission is structured around following axes of intervention (subject to change depending on outcome of ARO discussions in October):  

• Outreach: the mobile team is providing sensitization, prevention, health promotion, primary health care, mental health and referral to specialized medical care if necessary.  

• Detention: volunteer MDs (+ psychologists TBC) provide a second medical advice to migrants held in administrative detention centres.  

• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): the project aims for dignified living conditions in squats and reception centres for UAM, by taking measures against bed bugs, scabies and other EH related issues.  

• Emergencies: the mission responds to specific identified emergencies when needed.  

MAIN PURPOSE 

Contribute to the development of humanitarian affairs and communication activities in the Mission by supporting the humanitarian context analysis based on objective data collection in accordance with MSF strategies and with MSF policies and values, to improve the medical humanitarian situation amongst the population.  

This means:  

• Ensuring a continuous context analysis  

• Identifying medico-humanitarian problematics, rooted in analysis of legislation and practices, political and societal narratives, academic research, and humanitarian and medico-ethical values.  

• Developing and implementing the advocacy strategy for the project and implementing related activities  

• Define, oversee, and implement communications strategies in direct support of MSF's medical humanitarian programmes and social mission.  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

CORE TASKS  

• In collaboration with the Country Coordinator, Project Coordinator, Project Medical Coordinator, advocacy and communications’ referents, define, implement and develop a mission advocacy and communication strategy, to address the medical and humanitarian situation in Belgium and ensure that advocacy & communication components are included in the mission operational strategies. 
• Support implementation / coordination of advocacy & communications activities, including action plans, press releases, tools, events & other activities, in collaboration with referent comms counterparts. 
• Contribute to the collection of data, key messages and context analysis addressing medico-humanitarian situations in support of the PC, PMC and the project team and ensure liaison with other OCB projects and countries and MSF Operational Centers on migration related topics.  
• Manage media interviews request/media engagement and liaise with team members for interview requests. Act as spokesperson upon agreement with PC on a case-by-case basis 
• Draft ad hoc and planned lobbying points and reports in relation to main medico-humanitarian concerns while strengthening the integration of humanitarian affairs (analysis, critical reflection, understanding of context) and operational communications. 
• Liaise with MSF HQ relevant departments (linked to advocacy, networking and communications in Belgium) in order to ensure coordination on strategies, development of partnerships, engagement with key actors and institutions.   
• Support networking needs by leading or participating in representation duties in non-project locations (on delegation from the PC), including with domestic civil society, professional groups, and local academics/universities. 
• Support the organization of discussions, trainings, briefings, etc. about relevant thematic on migration and future advocacy activities, in order to raise awareness of MSF staff and partners regarding these matters 
• Develops and/or updates a Country Communications Framework (CCF) which provides an overview of all operational communications priorities in the project in collaboration with Communication Advisor (CA) 
• Develops / update with the help of CA, guidelines in country for crisis communications management 
• Advises PC / PMC on perception related to positioning and operational strategy and insurance of good acceptance for MSF projects/presence. 
• Drafts regular situation reports for project team/HQ as well as reports for external use on context,  planned activities and achieved results 
• Link with other MSF sections / projects to share analysis, define common positions and develop inter- countries advocacy initiatives / strategies 
• Interact with the international MSF advocacy network (reflection centres, the HRT network, MSF Access , etc.) to provide updated contextualized medical-humanitarian content and support on defining tailored advocacy strategies and messages 
• Lead discussions, trainings, briefings, etc. on the country’s medical-humanitarian context, MSF principles, international humanitarian law, medical ethics, and advocacy activities/strategies to raise awareness of MSF staffs 
• Collaborates with MSF digital teams (in country, in the region or other) for strategic dissemination and engagement on MSF social media channels  

• Decides on communication tools based on agreed objectives, messages, and target audiences.  

• Transforms operational or medical information into a communications angle relevant to the humanitarian/health situation.  

• Contributes to content production at headquarter level by supplying material (such as information, testimonies, pictures, videos, etc) to the Communications Advisor (CA) or other communications staff.  

• Follows MSF communications ethical guidelines in all materials directly collected and produced, such as on consent, on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and other relevant communications standards or guidelines.  

• Maintains a record of communications production in the country to enhance institutional memory  

DATA COLLECTION - ANALYSIS  

• In collaboration with the Advocacy department and the PMC, design and support the implementation of a quantitative and qualitative data and testimonies collection system to provide reliable information for operational and strategic decision-making.  
• In collaboration with the PMC, identify necessary data to be collected and ensure that adequate data collection tools are in place an implemented on the projects in line with advocacy strategies  
• Contribute to provide the communication department with relevant data and qualitative information to ensure that communication initiatives and public positioning are grounded in MSF’s medical activities 
• Support the PC and PMC in the analysis of the data collected, to better orient the programmes and projects, to provide an optimal response to population needs.  
• Develops actor mapping and stakeholders’ analysis on behalf of projects and, while providing guidance / support to PC for the management of relations with local authorities, and strategic advice to PC and PMR  

CONTEXT SPECIFICS RESPONSABILITIES  

• Stay updated on developments in EU and Belgian migration and asylum related narratives, legislation, policies and practices, and the interaction between both levels; increase knowledge on this fast-evolving subject where needed.  

• Finalise identification of key talking points for MSF considering current and upcoming Belgian and EU legislation that compromises migrants’ rights to dignity and health care.  

• Finetune and finalise advocacy and communications documents and tools following outcome if ARO 2026 exercise. Including defining needs for, and collecting data and testimonies, from the project’s own or partners’ activities, to reach the project objectives agreed in ARO 2026. Analyse and use this data to strengthen MSF’s message and reach the project’s objectives.  

• Finalise the advocacy and communications strategy for the detention activity, including data collection, extraction and analysis (both quantitative and qualitative).  

• Together with counterparts in the other projects of the Cell 4 Europe portfolio (Poland and Serbia), works towards harmonised and coherent approach to reach country’s objectives, through regular knowledge and experience exchanges and mutual support.  

• Explore arguments to use in communicating to the general public, generally more critical towards MSF’s messages and work, including impact of the project’s political and humanitarian context on individual an on societal levels.  

REQUIREMENTS 

Education & Experience 

• Academic background to Masters’ level (anthropology/social/political sciences, law, gender studies, protection) with first-rate writing skills and excellent research / analytical skills.  

• 2 years of experience working in research, analysis and advocacy
• Previous experience in developing advocacy and campaigning strategies experience with MSF or other NGOs 
• Relevant professional experience in migration context in Belgium (European context is an asset).
• Experience of working in migration context in Belgium and Europe
• In-depth understanding of the Belgian political landscape and decision-making processes 

Competencies 

• People Management and Development  

• Commitment to MSF Principles  

• Behavioral Flexibility  

• Results and Quality Orientation  

• Teamwork and Cooperation  

Languages 

•  Proficiency in English and French, both spoken and written is mandatory 

•  Good knowledge of Dutch is an asset 

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible 

• Location: Brussels (Belgium)  

*Due to legal administrative constraints, given the duration of the contract, candidates must already have the permanent right as Belgian or EU national, and/or valid work permit with mention of "Unlimited access to the labor market" to work in Belgium 

• Contract type: Fixed-term contract 

• Contract duration: 6 months 

• Salary according to MSF-OCB Head Office grid 

• Meal Vouchers - Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs 

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment 

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments 

Deadline for applications: 6th of November 2025 

How to apply? 

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button    

➢ Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload (preferably in PDF) 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. 

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