MSF Access Regional Advisor – West & Central Africa (WCA)

Location: Dakar, Senegal

Contract: Permanent contract – 100%

Starting date: asap

Deadline to apply: 14th of May

Compensation & Benefits: According to MSF practice and the package applicable to the entity establishing the contract (Position level: 16 – HAY)

I. 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 assists 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, 27 associations and 18 branch 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.

II. BACKGROUND

MSF Access (formerly Access to Products for Healthcare – APH) is MSF’s structure dedicated to advancing policies and practices that improve availability, affordability, appropriateness, quality and sustained access to medical products for populations assisted by MSF and their communities.

MSF Access operates through five regional hubs. The Dakar hub covers West and Central Africa, supporting MSF operations and advocacy across the region. The structure’s core responsibilities include:

• Contributing regional input to MSF’s Common Priorities (CPs) on Access to Health Products

• Designing and implementing analysis and advocacy activities aligned with agreed CPs

• Providing technical and strategic access support to MSF entities upon request

• Maintaining an overview of Access initiatives across the Movement

• Monitoring and analysing the regional and global access landscape to identify opportunities and risks

The current MSF Common Priorities include: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Vaccination, Tuberculosis, Diabetes and hypertension, Diagnostic Tools, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Cancer treatment.

III. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Reporting to the Head of MSF access West & Central Africa hub, and working in close collaboration with the MSF Access Head of Policy and Head of Analysis, the Regional Advisor contributes to the development of strong regional context analysis, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy strategies.

The position aims to support MSF’s operational and strategic objectives by influencing policies and practices related to access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and medical technologies across West and Central Africa. The Regional Advisor will engage with governments, regional institutions, donors, civil society, pharmaceutical companies and other relevant stakeholders at regional and country levels.

IV. REGIONAL SCOPE & STRATEGIC FOCUS

The Regional Advisor covers MSF intervention countries and regional bodies in West and Central Africa, including engagement with regional public health institutions and technical partners.

Based on MSF Access priorities and regional needs, sustained focus areas may include:

• Access to vaccines, including outbreak response, routine immunization and up coming vaccine and delivery mode fitting the reality on ground.

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), particularly at primary and secondary health care levels in humanitarian setting

• Tuberculosis, including access to new and quality-assured medicines and diagnostics especially pediatric formulation.

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension, including access to medicines, monitoring tools and supply chains

• SRH commodities and diagnostics, depending on operational needs

• Exploration of regional and supranational access pathways such as pooled procurement, regulatory reliance, pricing transparency, local or regional production, and adapted innovations for humanitarian settings

Priorities may evolve according to MSF operational demands, regional developments and global Access strategies.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Regional Advisor works closely with the Regional head of hub and serves as a key focal point for MSF programmes on access-related files once activated.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitor, analyse and regularly update intelligence on policies, regulations, markets and stakeholders affecting access to health products in the region

• Identify trends, risks and advocacy opportunities at regional and country levels

• Contribute to the design and implementation of advocacy strategies aligned with MSF Access global and regional priorities

• Contextualise global MSF Access objectives at regional level and ensure regional perspectives inform global strategies

• Develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with key regional and national stakeholders, including civil society partners

• Represent MSF Access in relevant regional, country-level and global health forums, in coordination with MSF representation structures

• Support MSF operational teams to understand medical-political and regulatory barriers and to define appropriate advocacy responses

• Support and contribute to Access initiatives led by MSF sections in the region when requested

• Manage short-term consultants or researchers for specific assignments related to access priorities

All activities must remain closely aligned with MSF operational priorities and coordinated with MSF country teams and regional humanitarian representation functions. MSF speaks with one voice, and internal coordination is essential.