Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia is committed to advocating for better access to healthcare and essential medicines in the region. With increasing medical and policy challenges, ranging from the impact of free trade agreements (FTAs) on access to medicines, to issues of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), intellectual property (IP), and national budget allocations for health, there is a growing need to embed stronger medical expertise within advocacy initiatives. This position is also crucial for supporting the MSF South Asia Training Unit’s tuberculosis (TB) priorities and ensuring sustained engagement beyond training activities.
Location
: India (Delhi / Mumbai OR Bangaluru – to be confirmed)
Duration
: Full-time, 12-month contract (renewable based on performance and funding)
Reporting to
: Head of Advocacy, MSF South Asia Advocacy Unit (HAIAL)
Department
: Advocacy Unit, MSF South Asia
The
Medical Advocacy Support Officer
will strengthen the technical and strategic depth of MSF South Asia’s advocacy work, particularly on access to healthcare products and services. The position will play a key role in influencing national and regional health policies, supporting medical advocacy priorities in TB AMR, Environmental Health, etc., and building and maintaining strategic partnerships with civil society and health-focused stakeholders. The Officer will also ensure close coordination with the MSF South Asia Medical Team, MSF Access and regional and global advocacy colleagues.
3.1. National-Level Advocacy & Representation
- Lead advocacy efforts around medical access issues in alignment with MSF South Asia’s priorities.
- Represent MSF in national platforms, policy forums, and with local stakeholders to advocate for improved access to essential medicines and health services.
- Support the follow-up and advocacy work stemming from the MSF Training Unit’s TB initiatives.
3.2. Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain relationships with key actors, including civil society, NGOs, professional medical associations, and academic institutions.
- Participate in and contribute to policy dialogues, consultations, and events relevant to medical access, FTAs, and health financing.
- Facilitate collaborative actions with external partners to amplify advocacy outcomes.
3.3. Collaboration with the MSF South Asia Medical Team, MSF Access, Regional Teams, Civil Society
- Work together with the MSF South Asia Medical Team to translate the medical priorities of MSF South Asia into advocacy messages and actions when relevant.
- Liaise closely with the MSF Access and the MSF Access Regional Coordinator – Asia Pacific (based in Kuala Lumpur) to ensure strategic coherence across national, regional, and global levels.
- Support cross-border and regional initiatives on public health advocacy, particularly in areas like access to hepatitis treatments, diagnostics, or new TB tools.
3.4. Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting
- Monitor national developments related to health systems in the region, policy reforms, trade negotiations, and access to healthcare.
- Provide regular analysis, briefings, and written reports to inform MSF South Asia’s advocacy positioning and response.
- Document advocacy outcomes and contribute to institutional learning and strategy development.
3.5. Internal Support and Capacity Building
- Contribute to the internal strengthening of advocacy capacities, especially in relation to health policy, IP, and access to medicines in collaboration with the Programmes Unit.
- Deliver internal briefings and orientation sessions for MSF staff and partners where relevant.
Requirements
- Required Qualifications and Experience
- Medical degree (MBBS/MD or equivalent) or advanced degree in public health, global health, or related field.
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in advocacy, health policy, or access to medicines work, ideally in the Indian or South Asian context.
- Familiarity with the Indian healthcare system, pharmaceutical landscape, IP issues, and trade-related barriers to access.
- Strong network with civil society and policy actors in India preferred.
- Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), including public speaking.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross-cultural, multidisciplinary environments.
- Solid understanding of MSF’s social mission, operational models, and positioning on access to medicines.
- Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of Hindi or another regional language is an asset.
How To Apply
Please send a copy of your updated CV together with a letter of motivation by clicking on the link below:https://msfindia.zohorecruit.in/jobs/Careers
Application checklist:
Please check that you have included the following in your application:
- An updated CV
- Letter of Motivation (both in one document Ex. MSWORD / PDF)
- The position is for “Indian Nationals only”
Last application date: June 26, 2025
Remarks: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted
Benefits
We offer:
- A stimulating, professional environment in a reputed international organization.
- Gross per month salary (before all the statutory deductions): INR 65580.00 to INR 77384.00 (final salary will depend on the scaling of the CV as per MSF criteria)
- 13th Month bonus (equivalent to one month gross) will be additional.
- Contributions for statutory benefit programs such as Provident Fund and Gratuity.
- Medical: MSF provides medical reimbursement for employees and their dependents as per MSF health care policy.
