Health Policy Advisor (m/f/x) - MSF Belgium

Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium (MSF Belgium) within MSF-OCB’s Analysis department in Brussels is seeking a Health Policy Advisor to lead policy analysis, advocacy strategy, and evidence-based influence. You will join the Health Politics Team, collaborating with peers across MSF to position MSF on priority health issues.

Starting January 2027, the role requires strong English and French, deep policy insight, and the ability to travel.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in health policy, public health or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of work experience with MSF, including in Operations.
• Experience in global health advocacy with MSF or other NGOs.
• Experience in health policy analysis, evidence-based advocacy, and strategic influencing.
• Expertise in epidemic preparedness, vaccines, AMR, SRHR, gender equality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy analysis and support advocacy on priority health policy themes.
• Provide analysis and advocacy support to operational teams in selected regions.
• Represent MSF in external meetings and policy forums.
• Conduct policy research, stakeholder mapping, and donor policy analysis.
• Develop and deliver training on health policy, analysis, and advocacy.
• Support knowledge management and strengthen team expertise.
• Write and contribute to publications and briefing notes.
• Organise webinars, events, and policy discussions.
• Undertake project visits to support analysis and programs.
• Brief and debrief key stakeholders on policy issues.
• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives within GHAN.

Skills

Global health advocacy

Policy analysis

Advocacy strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Team player

Education

Master's degree in health policy or related field

Job description

Within MSF-OCB (Operational Center Brussels), the Analysis department is a multidisciplinary team that contributes to the MSF’s social mission by: Conducting in-depth humanitarian and health policy related research/reflection, Developing and implementing advocacy strategies, expanding our operational networks, Supporting and challenging operations, And positioning the organization on the politics of health and humanitarianism based on MSF’s operational experience.

The department is composed of experienced humanitarian workers with diverse expertise: The Health Politics team, The Forced Migration team, The Conflict and Humanitarianism team, The Humanitarian Access and Networking team.

Within OCB’s Analysis department, the Health Politics Team (HPT) is analyzing existing and emerging health policies, the political factors behind them and how this affects the environment in which MSF operates. The HPT contributes to MSF’s networking, information collection, analysis, positioning, policy exchange and advocacy.

The Health Policy Advisor contributes to priority health policy dossiers through research, analysis, strategic reflection, advocacy development, and support to MSF's positioning. These dossiers focus broadly on access to healthcare and the organisation and governance of health systems.

Working closely with members of the Health Politics Team, including other Health Policy Advisors, the Knowledge Management Focal Point, the Advocacy MIO, and relevant colleagues across MSF, you contribute to evidence-based analysis and advocacy initiatives that support MSF's social mission.

As part of the Health Politics Team (HPT), you actively contribute to the team's and the department's common objectives and work plans, including knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, networking, training, publications, and departmental initiatives as required.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct in-depth policy analysis and support advocacy efforts on priority health policy themes. Dossiers may evolve according to changes in the external environment and operational needs. Themes may include outbreak preparedness and response, vaccine-preventable diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), access to healthcare, health financing, health systems strengthening, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, gender, malnutrition, and other emerging issues
• Provide analysis and advocacy support to operational teams, with a focus on selected countries, regions, programmes, or projects
• Represent MSF in external meetings, conferences, networks, and policy forums, and contribute to MSF's positioning on key health policy issues
• Conduct policy research, stakeholder mapping, and analysis of donor policies and broader health policy developments
• Develop and deliver training sessions and learning materials related to health policy, analysis, and advocacy.
• Support knowledge management activities and contribute to strengthening the team's expertise on current and emerging health policy issues
• Write and contribute to publications, including reports, peer-reviewed articles, opinion pieces, briefing notes, and other advocacy or analytical products
• Organise and contribute to webinars, events, and policy discussions, including the annual Global Health Pop-up meeting
• Undertake project visits in countries of operation as required to support analysis, advocacy initiatives, and programme or project development
• Brief and debrief key stakeholders on relevant policy issues, thematic dossiers, and operational priorities.
• Contribute to cross-departmental and intersectional initiatives, including collaboration within the Global Health and Advocacy Network (GHAN)

Other

• Availability for travel to project locations, other MSF offices or conferences (between 0-5 times per year, depending on the need and feasibility) and occasional evening or weekend commitments, with advance planning whenever possible

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in a medical qualification, health policy, public health, political sciences, sociology, international relations or an equivalent field, or equivalent by experience
• Minimum 3 years of work experience with MSF, including in Operations
• Work experience in global health advocacy with MSF or other NGOs is required
• Experience in health policy analysis, evidence-based advocacy, and strategic influencing
• Proven experience in analysing complex health and political environments and lead evidence-based advocacy to influence policy and practice.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:epidemic preparedness and response, pandemics, vaccine-preventable diseases, Antimicrobial resistance, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality and inclusion
• Advanced policy analysis and strategic thinking skills
• Strong understanding of global health policy and governance mechanisms
• Proven ability to influence decision-makers and build constructive relationships with governments, multilateral organisations, UN agencies, donors, civil society organisations, and affected communities
• Ability to develop clear, evidence-based policy and advocacy positions
• Ability to work independently, take initiatives and seize opportunities
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Team player

Languages

• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken is mandatory
• Good knowledge of French is required

CONDITIONS

• Starting date : January 2027
• Contract type: Open-ended contract – Full time
• Location: Brussels, or any location(s) where there is an MSF entity

The final outcome depends on local legal limitations (residency, work permit, etc.) and on agreement with the hosting MSF entity/office of the/se location/s. The local contract and standard salary grid will then apply

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 14 October 2026

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.