Doctors Without Borders (MSF): Health Policy Advocacy Internships 2018 in SA

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and MSF South Africa invites applicants to apply for Health Policy Advocacy Graduate / Internship Programme for 2018.

Internship Closing Date: 24 January 2018
Internship Provider: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and MSF South Africa
Internship Location: South Africa

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made  disasters, or to people that are excluded  from access to health care. The organisation has health projects in more than 70 countries. MSF South Africa is located in Johannesburg with an office in Cape Town. MSF SA is governed by the MSF Southern Africa Association, which is made up of more than 300 members from seven countries in the region.

MSF SA has the following organisational responsibilities:

• Recruit medical and support staff to work internationally in MSF projects
• Provide strategic  medical and technical support and training to MSF projects (especially  those focusing on HIV/AIDS and TB)
• Communicate  to the public, collaborate with humanitarian, health, activist and academic organisations and institutions
• Advocate on specific health issues, particularly access to treatment, medicines and diagnostics
• Raise funds to maintain MSFs medical humanitarian work.

JOB OVERVIEW:

MSF South Africa is looking for a Health Policy Advocacy Intern with passion for health politics, humanitarian work, and advocacy in general as well as specifically knowledge or interest in public health systems issues in the broader Africa region. The intern will assist the Regional HIV Advocacy Coordinator with administrative duties, mapping key actors and stakeholders in the region, analysis of the international general global health environment in particular the international HIV political and economic environments as well as those of specific countries in the region.

The Intern will also be responsible for assisting with organising meetings, conferences and advocacy events

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Mapping of the political and Economic environment around HIV at the global, regional and country level :

• Assist the regional HIV Advocacy Coordinator to conduct annual updates of ACCURATE key HIV figures, funding info, guidelines and policy information and other strategic information and data for all countries of support and ensure this is readily accessible
• Create and maintain a database of Key  HIV related contacts (civil society organisations, donors, governments, International Organisations)
• Assist the regional HIV Advocacy Coordinator Maintain and update accurate understanding of the key donors, normative institutions and other actors in global health particularly  in HIV as Global Fund, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and WHO   among others and be able to critically analyse trends, policies, interests  and other developments
• Assisting the regional HIV advocacy Coordinator with some innovative and creative ways to influence change and decisions on specific dossiers by contributing to the development and implementation of advocacy strategies and action at the international, regional and national levels
• Assisting the regional HIV Advocacy Coordinator to develop content, materials, analysis and briefs for lobbying and advocacy use.

2. Meetings, Conferences and  Advocacy Events Organization

• Assist with organising meetings, conferences and workshops and other key advocacy related events. Specifically, work with and support the MSF SA Events Coordinator with logistics and other info needed
• Manage Conference Call, Meetings, and Workshop notes and minutes

3.     Administrative support:

• Setting up of regular monthly  Conference Calls with the Access Campaign, Southern African Medical Unit, Advocacy and Analysis Unit and Head of Missions/Medical Coordinators and Advocacy Teams in all countries of support
• Assist with the development of advocacy related materials, liaison with designers and printers
• Coordinate the printing and shipping of advocacy related materials, reports etc to Field  Teams, HQ and other key contacts
• Create and maintain a good up to date electronic filing system of key documents that can be shared and accessed by  Field Advocacy Teams
• Conduct regular media monitoring of print, online and broadcast outlets through online content monitoring service (News clip), newspaper subscriptions and online media alerts (e.g. Google Alerts) of key HIV related news and info.
• Assist with the creation of an internal MSF no reply list serve for internal HIV monthly updates and information sharing
•  Create and maintain an external MSF list serve to share key MSF HIV related reports, publications and information

• Provide any other support as required

REQUIREMENTS:

• Tertiary qualification already obtained (proof of qualification needed)
• Preferably studying/studied Public Health, Development Studies, International Relations or Political Science, or with demonstrable interest in working in the Health Policy and Advocacy field.
• Passionate about humanitarian work
• Some knowledge or interest in global health politics
• Good knowledge of the main pillars of a good functioning health system
• Good knowledge of  regional Health/HIV related organisations, donors and civil society organisations and influencers in health
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point essential
• Professional telephone manner, tactful and excellent networking and negotiation skills.
• Creative and highly flexible approach to work, and ability to work within a team, multi task and good stress management skills and ability to deal with high workload  and competing priorities at specific times.
• Highly analytical
• Creative social media skills
• Creative content design skills an added advantage for briefs and other advocacy documents and materials

Benefits to the Intern:

• Experience of working within a dynamic Advocacy Unit within an international humanitarian organisation.
• Will be supported to develop networking, policy analysis, research advocacy and lobbying skills in a niche area.
• Will gain excellent exposure, and understanding of Global, Regional Health Actors as well as Civil Society organisations
• Will gain good understanding of the HIV policy environment in different countries in the region.
• Will be able to develop organisational and planning skills as well as abilities to prioritise and work under pressure.

Remuneration and Resources:

• Resources needed such as laptop, working space, internet, stationery and other resources will be made available
• The intern will be contracted as an intern and will receive an hourly stipend.

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

• 6 – 12 month full-time internship
• Monthly stipend paid
• Based in Johannesburg

TO APPLY:

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter HERE (motivating why you would be a suitable candidate for this position) by 24 January 2018.