Rationale/Objective for Position

• The Medical Anthropology Analyst is responsible for coordinating and overseeing targeted need-driven operational research and analyses, capacity-building and strengthening learning and reflection to ensure MSF provides holistic, respectful, and inclusive patient-centered community-based health services.
• The jobholder is responsible for implementing the Anthropology Unit framework and applicable approaches in relation with MSF field operations.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the development of the Unit’s organization strategic plan, activities and partnerships as may be needed.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Support positioning and feasibility of the Anthropology Unit

• Identify medical and health-related areas of strategic interest and identify the necessary partnerships with operations across other MSF entities in the region and globally.
• Respond and coordinate requests for support MSF missions/projects working in the region by evaluating access constraints and developing access-specific strategies.
• Contribute to the building, entrenching, and positioning the Unit.
• Prepare and make presentations on behalf of the Unit and MSF international and internal forums to articulate its work.

Medical program development and operations support

• Assess and analyze social-cultural dynamics of medical emergency contexts to inform and advice the medical operations teams during the conception, implementation, and monitoring of medical and paramedical projects.
• Collect and organize information on health-seeking practices and norms and knowledge during emergencies/crises to enable trust and respect between affected individuals, groups and communities, and field operation teams.
• Support the operations teams on contextual health and political economy analysis.
• Contribute to field visits and intersectional medical forums wherever and whenever it is necessary across MSF units and sections.
• Liaise with Medical Operation teams to identify, initiate links and engage with relevant state and non-state structures managing health services during emergencies.
• Prepare mission reports for review and dissemination.

Contribute to medical and health promotion operational research and learning.

• Coordinate field operational research on thematic areas relevant to medical and paramedical projects/programs across MSF.
• Facilitate dissemination of research results, learnings and best practices through internal and external platforms including publication.
• Participate in the implementation of the community engagement strategy of the MSF EA operations directorate.
• Coordinate events and facilitate thematic communities of practice events in the region and across the MSF.
• Conduct and facilitate collection, analysis and updating lessons and best practices from MSF missions in the region.
• Contribute and update the Unit’s database.
• Participate in organizing annual operation research events including the Annual Nairobi Anthropology Forum, MSF Scientific Day, Epicenters among others.

Partnership, collaboration, and representation

• In collaboration with the Anthropology Unit Lead, Training and Learning Unit and other peers in the MSF movement, develop/review training modules, and plan and facilitate effective health promotion and access.
• Conduct targeted participatory training and on-the-job training to enhance multicultural competence in our health service delivery sites.
• Facilitate training in multicultural competence and research ethics for internal and external partners.
• Map and profile relevant stakeholders in medical anthropology applied to the humanitarian context.
• Facilitate linkages and engagement with partners to share capacity, capability, and experience pertaining to humanitarian and emergency medical services in the region.
• Liaise with peers and actively participate in meetings at relevant humanitarian forum including the MSF Intersection/social science and operational research forums, technical working groups and Forums at the regional level.

Other Responsibilities

• Propose and initiate innovative operational research projects.
• Translation of research Findings into Actionable policy or intervention briefs for field teams.

Qualifications

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree in Medical Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Human Ecology, Sociology, Social Work, or any culture-related fields from a recognized institution.
• A Master’s degree in medical Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Human Ecology, Sociology, Social Work, or any culture-related fields from a recognized institution is an added advantage.
• Membership in a relevant professional body, think tank or community of practice is desirable.
• In-depth understanding of health-seeking and promotion models and practices in the regional and local context, dynamics, and socio-cultural medical barriers.
• Understanding of humanitarian and emergency health service delivery and ethics.
• Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of French and a third language is an added advantage.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of non-profit NGO work experience within public/emergency health contexts.
• Experience working with the humanitarian organization, UNDSS, INSO, INGO forum and similar institutions is an added advantage.
• Experience as a field researcher, ethnographer, trainer or in public health is an added advantage.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing, and executing health-related operational research, and behavior change interventions.
• Ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning.
• Ability to provide clear, dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding medical and social contexts, situations and needs as they emerge.
• Ability to design and facilitate training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.
• Ability to lead and coordinate field research teams and provide training in qualitative methods for diverse teams.

Behavioral/General Competencies

• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent MSF at forums and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to form and maintain relationships and working partnerships with multiculturally diverse teams and communities.
• Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to MSF’s Principles.
• Strategic thinking and complexity awareness.
• Critical and reflexive objectivity.
• Initiative and Innovation.
• Contextual analyses, awareness, and adaptation.