MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES INTERNATIONAL
Access Campaign – Advocacy Coordinator Southern Africa
Title:
Location:
Contract:
Reporting to:
Application deadline:
I.
Access Campaign Advocacy Coordinator, Southern Africa
Johannesburg
One year renewable - Full time100%
Head of Francophone and regional advocacy
7 September 2015
THE MSF ACCESS CAMPAIGN
The Access Campaign was started in 1999 and is part of MSF International. It aims to
improve access to, and stimulate development of, medicines, diagnostics and
vaccines that could have a major impact on morbidity and mortality in contexts
where MSF works. The Access Campaign challenges external medical-political actors
in order to overcome barriers identified by practitioners in MSF programmes and
those practicing in similar environments. To this end, the Campaign aims to influence
international policies relevant to improving access and stimulating innovation.
The priorities of the Access Campaign are guided by the medical challenges faced by
MSF’s operations. The aim is to improve medical practice in resource-limited settings
by accessing new tools (drugs, diagnostics and vaccines) that can change the
organisation’s medical practice.
II.
POSITION BACKGROUND
MSF has carried out projects in South Africa since 1999. In 2007, MSF consolidated its
presence in the country by opening a delegate office in Johannesburg, which is part of a
network of 20 MSF offices worldwide. MSF has been working in South Africa and the region,
primarily in response to the HIV and TB epidemics and working to increase access to
healthcare for vulnerable migrants.
MSF, together with the MSF Access Campaign, has a rich history of working with civil society
and other local partners in South Africa in the fight for access to medicines, most notably in
being one of the first providers of free antiretroviral care for HIV in the country, pressuring
multinational pharmaceutical companies to drop a court case against the Mandela
government’s amendments to the Medicines Act, combatting AIDS denialism during the
Mbeki administration, and holding the current government to account for the quality of the
national HIV/TB programme.
Given its location within the new MSF Southern Africa section office, the position will
seek to expand its remit to cover Southern Africa and as such greater collaboration
with missions in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi and Lesotho, as well as
within South Africa is envisaged.
August 2015
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES INTERNATIONAL
III.
PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
The position of the Access Campaign Southern Africa Advocacy Coordinator will be based in
Johannesburg and be housed by the Dr. Neil Aggett (DNA), formerly called the Programmes
Unit. The position will be fully integrated into MSF Southern Africa, with participation in
strategy sessions. Close collaboration with MSF Southern Africa Communications and DNA
Unit teams is a must. There will be also be an in person and tight collaboration with MSF
operational and medical teams across the region (as such greater travel is expected)
The person will also be integrated with the international Access Campaign, including regular
telephone meetings and agreement of action plans and yearly meetings in Europe, with
other international travel as required. The AC officer will prepare an activity report on a
monthly basis. Critical direction will come from the Head of Francophone and Regional
advocacy. When needed regular contacts will be made with the Access Campaign dossier
leads and the Policy Director.
IV.
OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The Access Campaign Southern Africa Advocacy Coordinator will customize international
objectives for the international Access Campaign for South and Southern Africa. The
Advocacy Coordinator will develop and execute an advocacy plan and a budget in
conjunction with the Access Campaign, key departments in South Africa, and other entities
around the MSF network and externally. The Advocacy Coordinator has a strong
engagement with civil society and government, and interacts with medical and research
institutions and pharmaceutical company representatives in the region.
V.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal and Intellectual Property (IP) Reform work
Manages MSF contributions to the “Fix the Patent Laws” (FTPL) campaign, a coalition of 15
organisations advocating for incorporation of TRIPS flexibilities promoting access to
medicines into South African national laws. Work will include a strong focus on the release
of the final IP policy and draft bills from the Dept. of Trade and Industry, and holding the
government accountable for implementing a patent examination system that meets national
health objectives. Will require collaborating with internal and external partners to lead
campaigns.
This component of the work includes management of the Parliamentary Liaison, based in
Cape Town, who coordinates FTPL action and legislative submissions when IP and healthrelated bills are released and opened for comments, and coordinates response strategies
with the FTPL civil society coalition.
Medical dossiers:
Provide advocacy support to key operational priorities, in conjunction with other MSF
advocacy, medical, communications and operational professionals. These priorities include:
o MDR-TB: considering barriers to access existing and new drugs and
diagnostics (regulatory and price issues); development of improved
regimens through South African participation in the 3P Project
August 2015
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES INTERNATIONAL
o
Vaccines: improve government and non-state actor awareness of Southern
Africa GAVI and non-GAVI eligible countries of new vaccines prices. Follow
up on WHA 68 resolution on vaccines (Price transparency, pooled
procurement), and tech transfer or other developments with BIOVAC and
the African Vaccine Manufacturers Initiative.
o Support and provide a link to the International Campaign for MSF operations
and stock out monitoring projects, as well as the HIV Advocacy/Comms
Officer in Johannesburg, on working to overcome pricing, IP and regulatory
barriers that prevent access to medicines and diagnostics for HIV drugs and
opportunistic infections.
 Focus on building support of relevant parties focused on TB R&D in South Africa
(universities, clinicians, Dept. of Science and Technology, Medical Research Council,
etc.) for the open access initiatives promoted by the 3P project.
 Adapts and promotes MSF Access Campaign global campaigns in local context.
 Support mapping and analysis of policies and stakeholders influential on issues
relevant for MSF’s Access Campaign in the region ( To strat with TB and Vaccines)
Field Support for Operations
Ensure that operational related projects benefit from the advances of the Campaign
 Provide regular up-to-date information on access issues as well as relevant external
developments and initiatives such as the Global Fund, WHO, WTO and others.
 Collaborate with field teams—especially advocacy focal points-- on strengthening
local civil society networks and campaign strategy to increase access to treatment
and to act as catalyst for change at country level
 Advise field staff on practical steps related to issues such as registration processes,
patent law, applying for special authorisations, differential pricing, drawing on
expertise in the international Access Campaign team.
Management, coordination and representation:
 Collaborates and coordinates messages with MSF colleagues in BRICS countries,
specifically to promote global advocacy issues on TB and IP policies.
 Initiate regional advocacy support and training for MSF missions. Contribute to the
development and strengthening of engagement with civil society, governments,
regional bodies and interacts with medical and research institutions in the region.
 Manages interns and researchers/consultants on special projects related to position.
 Works with regional MSF advocacy and communications teams, MSF SA association,
and the MSF SA board to identify access priorities and explore opportunities for joint
action.
 Responsibility will include representation of MSF at meetings and in relevant public
forums and as a spokesperson in the media.
 Engagement with civil society through MSF local contacts on priority topics (Fix the
Patent Laws, Vaccines and TB) - Coalition building is an important part of this work.
VI.
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PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF.
Min. 1 to 2 years related professional experience, plus relevant University degree /
Masters degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Background in legal, international affairs, policy and/or public health is beneficial.
August 2015
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES INTERNATIONAL
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Proven and demonstrated analytical, political and diplomatic skills; excellent
judgment and diplomacy; comfort with advocacy role.
Ability to research, analyse, and synthesise complex medical topics so as to write
reports and effectively present information to internal and external audiences,
including senior government officials
Ability to work independently, and to find creative approaches to achieve goals.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including ability to adapt style to
suit a wide range of audiences
Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and to manage multiple tasks
Ability to work independently to general guidelines; capacity to take initiatives and
seize opportunities
Strong interpersonal skills
Availability to travel and work in programme locations, often at short notice
MSF or MSF AC experience beneficial
Language
Fluent spoken and written English
Ability to read French an asset; spoken French desirable
Ability to speak other official South(ern) African languages an asset
Starting date:
Contract:
Deadline for applications:
Mid October 2015
one year contract 100%
7 September 2015
Please submit all applications only by email to:
IO-recruitment.gva@msf.org stating “AC Southern Africa Position” in the title.
Please submit your CV and cover letter in ONE file and name the file with your last
name.
-Only short-listed candidates will be contacted-
August 2015