Humanitarian Representation Team (HRT) Intern

Doctors Without Borders; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Doctors Without Borders (MSF USA) invites applications for an HRT intern role to support the Humanitarian Representation Team. You will gain practical experience in research, diplomacy, and advocacy, assisting various units within the Programs Department on projects and briefs.

This is an ideal opportunity for an applicant dedicated to MSF's social mission and international humanitarian work. The position reports to the Humanitarian Representation Team and emphasizes developing skills in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or progress toward a higher degree in a related field is required/strongly preferred.
• Experience performing academic research and literature reviews is a must.
• Strong writing and proofreading abilities are essential.
• Ability to work independently and manage time in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of US politics, policy development, and international humanitarian actors is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on humanitarian actors and topics.
• Summarize reports and literature reviews based on academic publications.
• Attend and summarize external meetings (primarily online).
• Assist in preparing briefing documents for advocacy and policy engagements.
• Manage contact database and compile internal updates for the Program Department.

Skills

Creativity

Curiosity

Attention to detail

Writing skills

Initiative

US politics

Policy development

Humanitarian context

Education

Bachelor's degree or progress toward higher degree

Job description

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.

Role Overview

The HRT intern role will provide support to the HRT Team while gaining practical experience and developing research, diplomacy, and advocacy skills. The position may at times also help support other units within the Programs Department for specific projects.This role reports to the Humanitarian Representation Team. The intern position is ideal for an applicant interested in the social mission of Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and who is also seeking meaningful experience at an International Non-Governmental Organization.

Department Accountabilities

Support for MSF Medical and Humanitarian Programs

The Programs Department supports the medical humanitarian programs of the MSF Movement in different ways. Each unit contributes to one or more of these responsibilities:

• Advocacy and Representation in support of Operations – develop strategies to influence public policy debates as well as private bilateral engagements on behalf of MSF.
• Research, Analysis, and Data Management in support of Operations – direct, perform, or facilitate research to address questions posed by Operations.
• Track and analyze specific policies and practices of governments, multilateral organizations, and others as requested by Operations.
• Grant making in support of MSF medical humanitarian programs and movement initiatives.
• Monitoring of the Regulatory Environment - engages with regulatory issues affecting Programs specifically to ensure compliance in grant making and to inform Operations and the International Legal Department.
• Monitoring of the Policy Environment - engages with Policy issues to ensure information sharing and action based on medical and operational needs of the movement.
• Stakeholder Engagement - identify, analyze, plan, and implement actions designed to engage with external and internal stakeholders to support medical humanitarian programming.
• Contribution to Medical Operational Humanitarian Projects - contributes to the management and implementation of specific medical operational humanitarian discreet projects that are managed by MSF USA.
• S. representation, engagement, and collaboration – is the representative to domestic social mission external relationships on behalf of the medical operational entities of the movement in order to create, maintain and expand stakeholder engagement.

Roles Specific Outcomes

• Conduct research on humanitarian actors and topics
• Summarize reports and conduct literature reviews based on academic publications
• Attend and summarize external meetings on topics relevant to the work of the team (primarily online)
• Assist in the preparation of briefing documents and other information for advocacy and policy engagements
• Contact database management
• Create shareable content for stakeholders and compile internal updates including content for the Program Department newsletter
• Occasional administrative tasks
• Other tasks as assigned

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills

• Creativity, curiosity, and willingness to delve into new topic areas to build and share knowledge
• Excellent attention to detail, strong writing and proofreading ability
• Initiative and confidence to work independently and ask questions in a fast-paced work environment
• Knowledge of or desire to learn about US politics, the UN system, policy development, international humanitarian actors, and the contexts where MSF operates

Behavioral Competencies

THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different.

People Focus Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.

Manages Complexity Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.

Global Perspective Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.

Cultivates Innovation Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.

Strategic Mindset Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.

RESULTS: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs.

Drives Results Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way.

Ensures Accountability Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

PEOPLE: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals.

Collaborates Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

Communicates Effectively Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Values Differences Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

Builds Effective Teams Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

Manages Conflict Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

Builds Networks Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.

Drives Vision and Purpose Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.

Instills Trust Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.

Manages Ambiguity Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.

Situational Adaptability Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Being Resilient Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

Technical Competencies

Plans and Aligns Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals.

Financial Acumen Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.

Tech Savvy Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.

Data Collection and Analysis The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.

Project Management Skills The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters.

Presentation and Written Communication Skills Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

Organizational Insight Applying knowledge of MSF-USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.

Supervisory Responsibility n/a

Desired Qualifications & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or progress toward a higher degree in a field related to the work of the HRT (international relations, policy, or law, global and public health)
• A genuine interest in medical humanitarian aid and the mission of MSF and a demonstrated interest (personal, professional, or academic) in international work
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Creativity, curiosity, and willingness to delve into new topic areas to build and share knowledge
• Excellent attention to detail, strong writing and proofreading ability
• Initiative and confidence to work independently and ask questions in a fast-paced work environment
• Knowledge of or desire to learn about US politics, the UN system, policy development, international humanitarian actors, and the contexts where MSF operates
• Experience in performing academic research and literature reviews is a must
• Experience using a CRM tool is an asset but not required
• English mandatory, French and/or Spanish language skills strongly preferred

Please note that neither relocation assistance nor visa sponsorship will be offered for this position

Location

Location: Washington DC (On-site or Hybrid)

This role is based in our Washington, DC office, where most of this departments team and operational infrastructure are located. Due to current staffing and budget constraints, we’re unable to support this position in our other offices. We do not accept phone calls or emails during the recruitment process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement: MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings. We also provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] . We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

Safeguarding Statement: All Employees and Representatives of MSF USA have a duty to treat the individuals, families, and communities with whom we interact and serve with dignity and respect, and to ensure their safety and protection. We are committed to fostering a workplace and organizational culture that is safe, inclusive, and free from harassment, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. This commitment is supported by policies and procedures that promote an environment where misconduct and abuse are not tolerated. Employment may be contingent upon satisfactory reference checks and/or background screening appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.