Humanitarian Representative - Russia

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF); Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MSF International seeks a Senior Representative to strengthen engagement with Russian interlocutors outside the Russian Federation, providing contextual analysis, coordination and an expanded external network to safeguard humanitarian action.

Reporting to the IOHRC and with the Deputy IOHRC & RIOD Advisor, the role supports deployments, shares timely analysis with MSF stakeholders and aligns activities across regions in a sensitive political environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree (M.A.) or six to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive field experience with MSF is mandatory.
• Interest in humanitarian action and commitment to MSF principles.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian affairs and diplomatic networks in Russia and surrounding regions.
• Strategic vision and creativity in problem solving.
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.
• Ability to synthesize complex material and report cogently to colleagues.
• Ability to write high-level correspondence and interact with senior diplomatic officials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, judgment and diplomacy.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to travel frequently throughout the region and beyond.
• Ability to set priorities and organize own work.

Responsibilities

• Provide contextual analysis on developments in the Russian Federation, South Caucasus, and Central Asia affecting MSF operations.
• Support operations with ad hoc analyses and briefings on topics of interest.
• Develop scenarios for MSF's presence in Russia with conditions for entry points.
• Monitor risk of MSF being designated as an undesirable organization in Russia.
• Maintain and expand the network of Russian interlocutors globally.
• Ensure continuity of engagement with Russian representatives across contexts.
• Coordinate the HRT BRICS group and share outcomes with Interdesk.
• Facilitate interdesk meetings and align with Interdesk terms of reference.
• Coordinate reporting and information sharing among MSF colleagues engaging with Russian stakeholders.
• Build and maintain the Russia Online Archives for data collection.

Job description

Deadline to apply: 11th of November 2026

Starting date: 01st December of 2026

Compensation and Benefits: MSF practice is to offer the compensation and benefits package in line with the MSF entity offering the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office, able to issue a contract, of their country of residence at the time of application.

MSF International

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 28 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

Scope of the Position

MSF seeks to strengthen its engagement, contextual understanding and institutional memory related to the Russian Federation and the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The position provides a focused capacity for engagement with Russian representatives outside the Russian Federation, contextual analysis, internal coordination and support to MSF operations in relevant contexts.

The role operates within a sensitive and evolving geopolitical and legal environment. It contributes to maintaining institutional links and information flows while supporting operational teams and ensuring relevant developments and strategic considerations are surfaced to appropriate MSF stakeholders.

Position Background and Purpose

The Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT) works to enhance MSF’s ability to understand, inform, and where possible, influence the actions and decisions of external stakeholders for the purposes of protecting MSF’s operational space, advocating for needs-based humanitarian action and, when requested, conveying MSF’s témoignage. The HRT supports MSF operations through linkages and actions to and from a wide array of external networks that include governments, multilateral institutions and agencies, humanitarian and civil society organisations, medical associations, think tanks, research centres, and other influential interlocutors. The HRT consists of a full-time secretariat covering multilateral bodies (UN, EU-NATO, AU), permanent UNSC members (US, UK, China, Russia), and other key regions (East Africa, West Africa, the Middle East & North Africa, and the Asia Pacific). The HRT Secretariat’s work is supported by a global network including more than 20 representatives linked to MSF entities and offices worldwide.

Working under the leadership of the IOHRC and alongside the Deputy IOHRC & RIOD Advisor, the position holder will be responsible for support, coordination and expansion of MSF’s engagement and network with Russian representatives outside the Russian Federation. As a member of the HRT secretariat, the holder of the position should be available for deployments in support to country programs, and on-the-ground engagement support as requested by operational teams or HRT network members, and in agreement with the IOHRC.

Accountabilities

1. Analysis

• Provide contextual analysis and updates on developments in the Russian Federation, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia that may impact MSF’s operations and humanitarian engagement.
• Support operations by providing ad hoc analyses and briefings on topics of interest.
• In coordination with operations, continue developing and reviewing scenarios regarding MSF’s presence in Russia, with particular attention to conditions and entry points for potential future operations.
• Monitor and assess opportunities for the potential reopening of institutional dialogue and an operational presence in the Russian Federation in close coordination with HRT Representative in Geneva.
• Continue monitoring and analyzing the risk of MSF being designated as an "undesirable organization" in Russia and the potential implications for the organization.

2. Engagement and networking

• Maintain the existing network of Russian interlocutors and identify or create engagement opportunities globally, including at conferences, events or through bilaterial engagements.
• Develop and expand the network with new and relevant Russian and Russian-affiliated contacts for the MSF movement and operations.
• Ensure continuity and accompany ongoing efforts to engage with Russian representatives globally on issues related to the contexts in which MSF operates.
• - Support MSF operational teams in their engagement with Russian representatives in countries where MSF maintains operations. ting MSF research and academic work.

3. Internal coordination

• Coordinate the HRT BRICS working group and facilitate information sharing and strategic alignment among its members.
• Facilitate interdesk meetings when relevant and share outcomes with relevant colleagues in accordance with the Interdesk terms of reference set by the RIOD.

4. Other responsibilities

• Facilitate coordination, information sharing, and reporting among MSF colleagues engaging with Russian stakeholders.
• Build and maintain the Russia Online Archives to collect the data of the RBO and other data coming from OPS engagement with Russian representatives.

Autonomy, Complexity

The incumbent will operate with a high degree of autonomy in a politically sensitive and complex environment, requiring the ability to independently assess developments, identify strategic opportunities, and define engagement priorities. The role involves managing senior-level relationships with government authorities, diplomatic actors, and other stakeholders in an environment in which MSF has very limited space. The Representative is expected to exercise sound judgment in navigating high sensitivities and providing timely analysis and recommendations to open the space for MSF in support of operations. The position requires balancing operational, political, legal, and reputational considerations while representing the organization externally and ensuring coherence with broader institutional objectives.

Safeguarding requirements for the role

The incumbent commits to contribute to a safe, supportive, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy workplace, free from abuse and other misconduct. They will not engage in any form of abuse including those detailed in MSF Typologies of Abuse and when an employee suspects or observes abuse, they will report it (without investigating it) to protect others.

Requirements

Education

• Master's degree (M. A.) or equivalent, or six to ten years related experience and/or training; (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Experience

• Extensive (field) working knowledge/experience with MSF is mandatory.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the humanitarian action and principles of MSF.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international humanitarian affairs and solid knowledge of diplomatic networks in Russia and countries and institutions within their orbit.
• Strategic vision and creativity in problem solving.
• Knowledge of basic provisions of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.
• Ability to synthesize complex and sensitive material and analyze and report on it cogently to colleagues.
• Ability to write high-level correspondence and interact with senior diplomatic officials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, judgment and diplomatic skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to travel on a frequent basis throughout the region and beyond.
• Ability to set priorities and organise his/her own work.

Languages

• Written and spoken English and Russian are required.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.