Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Application deadline: Monday 4 May 2026 by 9am EDT

Location: Ottawa
Status: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time)
Reports to: Humanitarian Affairs Representative to Canada
Anticipated start date: mid June 2026

About Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada

MSF Canada is a people-focused global humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical care and support to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.

We are proud to offer a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive work environment grounded in our core values of Humanity, Integrity, and Results. We believe that diversity strengthens our impact and are committed to equity in employment and fostering meaningful, lasting work relationships with all our staff.

Our Values

Our work is guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, rooted in universal medical ethics.

We bring these principles to life through the way we treat each other, work, and relate to the global MSF movement:

• Respect, Integrity, Inclusion – fostering a workplace grounded in equity and belonging
• Discovery, Learning, Boldness – embracing curiosity, innovation, and courageous action
• Impact, Transformation, Shared Responsibility – driving meaningful change and collective accountability

These values shape our culture and guide everything we do to uphold MSF’s social mission.

Position Summary

The Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Advisor helps shape MSF Canada’s policy positioning and analysis on humanitarian issues in Canada that are relevant to MSF’s global medical-humanitarian priorities, and helps develop advocacy strategies to influence Canadians, especially policy makers and other stakeholders, to take actions that will positively impact MSF’s patients and operations around the world. Drawing on a knowledge of international humanitarian contexts, of the global aid system, and of humanitarian policy at Canadian and global levels, the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Advisor reports directly to MSF’s Humanitarian Representative to Canada and will build relationships and work collaboratively with experts inside and outside of MSF to improve Canada’s response to global humanitarian needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a subject-matter expert: on the humanitarian contexts around the world where MSF conducts operations; on the principles-based international humanitarian system and the architecture of global aid; on MSF positioning and advocacy messaging related to the operational contexts prioritized by MSF Canada; and on relevant Canadian policy and political developments.
• Develop relationships and networks both inside and outside of the global MSF movement to support the humanitarian advocacy work of MSF Canada’s Humanitarian Affairs team.
• Provide analyses of key updates from operational contexts to inform MSF Canada’s reporting, advocacy, representation and public communications.
• Develop advocacy and representation strategies that speak to the Canadian context given current operational events and conditions, under the strategic direction of the Humanitarian Representative to Canada.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in the humanitarian sector with experience in advocacy and/or fundraising/institutional funding
• Experience in a role with specific responsibilities in developing advocacy strategies and actions within the field of humanitarian assistance 
• Knowledgeable of the Canadian policy environment as it relates to humanitarian assistance, foreign affairs, international assistance funding, and MSF’s work 
• Excellent strategic communication and advisory skills, preferably in a public advocacy environment 
• Diplomatic, with strong negotiation and communications skills 
• Analytical with the ability to synthesize complex and sensitive material accurately 
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex issues into public-facing messaging 
• Strong ability to manage expectations and secure buy-in on proposed solutions 
• Comfortable interacting professionally with counterparts in diverse settings (e.g. government, academic institutions, pharmaceutical industry, NGOs, etc.)
• Familiarity with MSF’s humanitarian medical work, and principles-based advocacy and operational activities
• Fluency in English (verbal and written)
•  Proficiency in French is an asset

Working Conditions

• Regular hours Monday to Friday (9 a.m.–5 p.m., core hours 10 a.m.–3 p.m.); occasional evenings or weekends.
• Domestic travel (~5%) and international travel (~5%).
• Designated desk in communal work-share space available.

Salary and Benefits 

• Salary grade: Level 16 in the MSF Canada Salary Grid $87,850 in first year
• Benefits include:
  • Comprehensive group insurance (health, dental, life, AD&D, Peace of Mind plan)
  • 5% RRSP contribution (no matching required)
  • starting 4 weeks’ vacation annually
  • Health & Lifestyle Spending Accounts
  • Flexible work hours and hybrid model
  • Annual Professional Development budget
  • Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • Access to internal Psychosocial Care resource

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada; MSF Canada is not able to support or relocate candidates from outside Canada.

NOTE: Any questions or concerns regarding accommodation and accessibility may be addressed to the Human Resources team.