Title: Access Campaign Advocacy Coordinator, Southern Africa
Location: Johannesburg
Contract: One year renewable - Full time100%
Reporting to: Head of Francophone and regional advocacy
Application deadline: 7 September 2015
I. 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.
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 health-related 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
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.
o 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.
o Adapts and promotes MSF Access Campaign global campaigns in local context.
o 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
o 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.
o 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
o 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:
o Collaborates and coordinates messages with MSF colleagues in BRICS countries, specifically to promote global advocacy issues on TB and IP policies.
o 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.
o Manages interns and researchers/consultants on special projects related to position.
o 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.
o Responsibility will include representation of MSF at meetings and in relevant public forums and as a spokesperson in the media.
o 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. 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.
• 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: Mid October 2015
Contract: one year contract 100%
Deadline for applications: 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-
Location: Johannesburg
Contract: One year renewable - Full time100%
Reporting to: Head of Francophone and regional advocacy
Application deadline: 7 September 2015
I. 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.
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 health-related 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
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.
o 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.
o Adapts and promotes MSF Access Campaign global campaigns in local context.
o 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
o 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.
o 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
o 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:
o Collaborates and coordinates messages with MSF colleagues in BRICS countries, specifically to promote global advocacy issues on TB and IP policies.
o 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.
o Manages interns and researchers/consultants on special projects related to position.
o 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.
o Responsibility will include representation of MSF at meetings and in relevant public forums and as a spokesperson in the media.
o 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. 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.
• 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: Mid October 2015
Contract: one year contract 100%
Deadline for applications: 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-
