Head of Mission Advisor (Khartoum) – MSF Switzerland

Job Description

Organization	Medecins sans Frontieres Swizerland
Job Title	Head of Mission Advisor
Section/Unit:	Operations
Supervisor	Head of Mission
Grade Level	12 (3,322 USD/month gross salary)
Location	Khartoum State
Duration	6 months with 3 months of probation included and with possibility of extension
Closing Date	26 April 2026

Background:

Médecins Sans Frontières – Switzerland (MSF-Swiss) is a medical, humanitarian, impartial and international non-profit organization. MSF provides exclusively humanitarian and medical assistance to populations in need, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, philosophy, or politics and is independent of any political, religious, military or economic power.

At MSF Switzerland, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas, and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification. 

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics. 

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment.

MSF-Swiss is seeking to employ 1 (one) qualified candidate in the Khartoum Coordination office for the position of Head of Mission Advisor.

Duties and responsibilities:

Main Purpose of the position:

• Together with the Head of Mission and the Coordination Team participates in the analysis and follow up of humanitarian context and security situation. 
• Advising, participating, and when requested, representing the HoM with regards to relevant national partners/stakeholders. 
• Support the Mission in understanding the present and the evolving environment, power structures and changing dynamics. 
• Support in the development, implementation and maintenance of a networking and communication strategy, ensuring contacts with authorities, local communities and external actors.  
• Participating and advising the HoM in the preparation of the overall planning of operations, including the review and update of the country policy, action plan.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Undertake country level actor mapping looking at national, provincial and regional (as relevant) authorities and conflict dynamics and support HoM(s) with context analysis.
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts in order to share information on the context, follow trends, identify new risks and threats.
• Gain an understanding of how MSF is perceived by health professionals, population and relevant actors (political, armed groups, religious authorities…). 
• Produce context analysis briefings highlighting the latest social, economic, political and security trends with (potential) impact on the security and humanitarian context.
• Map armed actors, community key-individuals and (ethnic) groups customary and political structures. 
• Analyse impact of local dynamics on project staff’s safety and security as well as impact on population at large.
• In his/her advisory capacity, review, propose updates and advise the HoM in implementing the Country Security Plan, risk analysis/risk reduction measures, in accordance with MSF Security Policy.
• Assist the HoM in dissemination of relevant context information to the coordination team, regularly inform them on key issues, update general information on the context for MSF internal documents, and advise on cultural appropriateness of organizational activities and individual behaviors
• Support the HoM in official representation. Upon delegation, represent MSF in meetings.
• Participate actively to the negotiation of access, identify gaps that prevent MSF to operate 
• Liaise with local potential stakeholders and help the HoM to create, reinforce and maintain links with local leaders, tribes, authorities, armed forces.
• Advise on and be involved in the negotiations, finalization and maintenance of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MSF and the Government / any other institution involved. 
• On request of the HoM, fill gaps and participate to the elaboration of different mission strategic documents, contributing to the mission´s strategic planning and objectives.
• Raise security awareness among the staff through regular meetings on security context 
• Write up reports on each security incident affecting MSF personnel and monitors its aftermath
• Introduce actor-mapping methodology that can be independently maintained (regularly updated and improved) for each project. 
• Support and coach Coordination team members and Project Coordinators, on culturally sensitive manner of representation to local contacts, provide advice and support as needed evolution/challenges faced.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

1. Context Analysis & Reporting: Continuously monitor, analyse, and report on the fast-evolving political, military, and humanitarian dynamics across Sudan, with particular focus on Khartoum, Greater Darfur, Kordofan, and Eastern Sudan. Provide timely inputs to the Head of Mission on shifting frontlines, emerging alliances, and implications for MSF operations and access.
2. Networking & Representation: Establish and maintain a strong network with state and local authorities, tribal leaders, armed groups, civil society actors, and health authorities. Ensure MSF’s humanitarian principles and neutrality are understood and upheld in interactions, while supporting the HoM in sensitive negotiations and official representation.
3. Access & Negotiation: Actively support the negotiation of humanitarian access and acceptance in conflict-affected and contested areas. Identify barriers to MSF operations, propose strategies for safe passage and program continuity, and advise the HoM on balancing risk with operational need.
4. Security & Risk Management: Analyse how national and local conflict dynamics affect staff and patient safety. Advise on mission-wide security policies and protocols, including incident reporting, contingency planning, and practical measures for risk reduction in volatile settings.
5. Humanitarian Diplomacy & Advocacy: Support the HoM in positioning MSF vs national and international stakeholders, including HAC, MoH, community leaders, and UN/INGO fora. Contribute to drafting of context briefings and advocacy lines that reflect Sudan-specific challenges, such as bureaucratic impediments, blockages to aid delivery, and protection concerns.
6. Capacity Building & Cultural Awareness: Mentor coordination and field project teams on culturally appropriate engagement with local actors. Provide regular context briefings to ensure staff are aware of political sensitivities, conflict dynamics, and humanitarian implications.
7. Strategic Support: Contribute Sudan-specific insights to the development of mission strategic documents (e.g., Country Policy, POA, Security Plan). Ensure that context considerations, including access, community perception, and security environment, are systematically integrated into operational planning.

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required:

Qualifications and requirements

Education: 

• Essential: University Degree 

Experience: 

• Essential experience working in Sudan with demonstrated capacity for analysis, networking and negotiation.
• Previous work experience with MSF for 1 Year and above (Humanitarian affairs Manager, Project Coordinator, Deputy Head of Mission or Head of Mission.

Language: 

• Essential: Fluent Arabic & English

Knowledge: 

• Essential computer literacy (Microsoft, word, excel, internet) 

Competencies:

• Strategic Vision
• Leadership
• People Management and Development 
• Service Orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation 
• Commitment to MSF Principles 

All applications should at the minimum include:

• Complete CV in English, detailing the applicant’s education, professional experience
• Accurate contact information (candidate’s primary and secondary phone number)
• Copies of relevant diplomas and certificates of experience mentioned in the CV
• Copy of the National identification document (National Number/national ID/Passport)
• Cover letter detailing your motivation for this specific position Copies of relevant diplomas and certificates mentioned in the CV
• Contact information of previous employer(s) and other references

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

Applications for this position can exclusively be summited via Sudanjob.net. Candidates are required to fill a Google Form with their information and submit their documents via the same form to be considered.

The application deadline for this position is 26 April 2026 at 23:59pm. Any submissions after this deadline will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. In this recruitment process, candidates will have to pass a written test and an interview.

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your data only for the recruitment process, to have all the necessary information and documents to proceed with the recruitment, validate your application, and select the most suitable candidate. Your data will be treated confidentially and will be destroyed after 12 months. Only those involved in the recruitment process have access to it. MSF does not sell your data under any circumstances.