UREPH Researcher
Role Summary
Join Médecins Sans Frontières as a UREPH Researcher to contribute to humanitarian efforts and improve operational practices.
About the Organisation
Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).
The UREPH (Research Unit on Humanitarian Stakes and Practices) of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland was created in 2006 and aims to improve the way MSF projects are implemented in the field and to participate in critical thinking on humanitarian and medical action, notably by producing publications and organizing conferences and debates. The UREPH carries out research that enables a better understanding of operational challenges and fosters an analytical and reflective approach to humanitarian practices and issues
As part of a small team, the Researcher is amongst the leading persons within MSF Switzerland/Operational Center Geneva (OCG) for the capitalisation and the research around operational and ethical issues. She/He represents MSF-CH in various forums regarding these aspects (academic gatherings, communications events, etc.). She/He is also expected to be available to carry other tasks (field visit, teaching, etc.) if compatible with the approach of the main research.
She/He must have a polyvalent profile and be capable of rapid conceptualisation of the issues at stake in current and emerging themes. The post requires general interest, knowledge, and MSF field coordination experience, as well as an ability to take on ad hoc dossiers depending on the circumstances and requests from other departments. The Researcher must be capable of working autonomously, yet hand in hand with external and internal networks, drawing on the latter to secure awareness of current thinking/approaches and position her/his output for maximised use and impact.
The Researcher is directly under the responsibility of and reports to the head of UREPH.
Key Responsibilities
- To contribute to the generation and dissemination of knowledge pertaining to humanitarian action, its stakes and practices, relevant to current MSF programmes:
- Publication of peer-reviewed research articles, through academic journals with international readership
- Study design and formulation of methodology
- Field collection of specific data as needed
- Collection of bibliography
- Article writing (as main contributing author)
- Article submission and editorial correspondence
- Article finalisation according to peer reviews
- Article publication
- Presentation of research results in internal (MSF) and external meetings
- Submission of abstracts
- Attend conferences or other meetings relevant to research topics
- To contribute to building partnerships between MSF and humanitarian, academic or public health institutions, and think tanks:
- Representation of UREPH in external meetings, workshops or consultations
- Lectures on humanitarian action, ethical issues or related topics
- Participation in workshops or high-level events and consultations
- To lead or participate in internal debates, so as to challenge institutional and operational policies and initiate constructive critical reflection on how our organisation both functions and delivers its medico-humanitarian assistance:
- Liaise with other MSF sections on themes of common interests
- Stimulate critical thinking on these issues and push forward the development and improvement of adequate responses to these challenges
Minimum Requirements
- Education*
- Master’s degree in social sciences, global health, public health, political sciences, medical anthropology or a related field (PhD a plus)
- Experience*
- Experience in the field with MSF is compulsory
- Experience in field research
- Experience and ability to build and animate a network of resources
- Academic publications a plus
- Languages*
- Fluency in French and English (compulsory)
- Skills/ Technical competencies*
- Excellent writing and analytical skills
- Ability to synthesise information
- Personal Abilities/Qualities*
- Team spirit while able to work autonomously
- Organised and structured way of working
- Strong responsiveness and flexibility
- Ability to show initiative
Eligibility Criteria
Open to candidates interested in contributing to humanitarian research, eligibility specifics are not mentioned.
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