Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Lead

CONTEXT

• In close collaboration with the Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) Medical Director and the Public Health Dept (PHD), the post holder leads the specialists and advisors working on various aspects related with AMR.
   
  
• Works closely with OCA’s Operational Communications, Advocacy, and Humanitarian Affairs department (OSCAR) ensuring relevant AMR content for MSF Communications and Fundraising teams. 
   
  
• Movement-wide they maintain a close working relationship with the other key AMR stakeholders and engages in the intersectional ABR coordination group and subgroups, the Access team and MSF-wide platforms as needed.
  

• This position is responsible for driving forward the AMR dossier within OCA by primarily coordinating the planning, monitoring, communication and accountability of AMR medical operational activities and research, while ensuring all relevant operations and supply team members are informed of requirements.  This will set the foundations for OCA future AMR strategic plans and policy. The purpose of the job is to bring together the various medical and non-medical specialists related to AMR from within OCA, to:
  
•  facilitate implementation of the AMR strategy, coordinating the three pillars against antibiotic resistance (ABR) and collaborating with the Chronic and Infectious Diseases team in their strategies against TB, HIV, and Malaria resistance, coherence, and critical analysis.
  
•  strengthen and further establish the wider MSF and field networking including on the relevant AMR international platforms. The post holder would work with actors across the MSF movement as well as external actors / initiatives in the global health and humanitarian sector, including acting as primary representative for MSF towards relevant actors. A key part of the role is to bring to MSF the analysis of the external environment related to AMR, to challenge and stimulate MSF on the development of their AMR programming and policies.
  
•  Act as the focal person within OCA for AMR, from different sources and specialties (other infectious diseases e.g. HIV, TB, Malaria); together to inform policy, advocate for change and to achieve the OCA AMR objectives.
  

• Advance the integration of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) into MSF operations with a focus on risk identification and mitigation in emergency settings, and targeted approaches for high-risk populations. 
  
•  Oversee the development of trans disciplinary strategies to identify and address critical points along the chain of infection for priority populations, aiming to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases and AMR.
  
• Coordinate the three pillars of antibiotic resistance (ABR) and ensure coordination with the Chronic and Infectious Diseases Advisor – ABR Stewardship and the wide team regarding TB, HIV, and Malaria resistance strategy and health program planning.
  
• Ensure AMR strategy aims, materials and research are shared with relevant multi-disciplinary teams to enhance quality of care and promote integration at the project level.
  
• Lead the integration of AMR risk identification and mitigation within Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPREP) planning across various emergency scenarios, in coordination with the E-Desk.
  
• Spearhead the diagnostic access initiative in order to expand operational access to diagnostic microbiology and near point of care testing.
  
• Provide expert advice and technical support to colleagues on interdisciplinary issues regarding AMR implementation.
  
• Advise on OCA planned AMR related Operational Research and the development of associated research concept notes and provide guidance on the dissemination of AMR related news, research and publications.
  
•  Strengthen and widen MSF networking by engaging in the relevant AMR intersectional platforms to ensure coordination and cohesion to maximize the benefit to MSF operations.
  
•  Ensure MSF is kept informed of and understands the external AMR environment.
  
•  Execute field visits to coach and advise field staff on operational response to AMR.
  
•  Ensure adequate reporting and presentation on the progress on AMR strategic plan objectives.
  
•  Internally within OCA represent and promote the AMR dossier in meetings, events such as PHD Block days, CoDays and relevant trainings.
  
•  Support MSF Communications and Fundraising aims, ensuring relevant outputs are available for donors.
  
•  Collaborate with OCA entities and relevant Transformational Investment Capacity (TIC) projects.
  
•  Be available to assist in emergency responses specific area of expertise with associated health and security risks. 
  

• Annualized financial data (e.g., costs/orders/sales/revenue budgets).
  
• People data (e.g., staff managed – direct and indirect).
  
• Other relevant statistics (e.g., projects managed / payroll costs)
  
• Support missions implementing AMR programming to plan the budget implications, including material and HR resourcing.
  
• People: Ensure MSF’s medical training, staff briefings and mentoring activities include awareness of AMR and the impact this may have on MSF’s future health programming.
  

• Influence MSF's wider agenda through developing key relationships within the MSF movement and externally on health programs.
  
•  Advocate for the response to complex AMR issues considering risks and benefits for patients, OCA, the broader MSF movement and external stakeholders, anticipating long term consequences of change and future trends.    
  
•  Engage from development to implementation of research projects including new avenues of research with varied and innovative solutions in situations where judgment must be continually exercised, sometimes within demanding timescales.
  
• Contribute to the development of MSF AMR activities ensuring these are translated into operational field team plans and objectives, this includes the contribution and formulation of annual plans for AMR which sets and communicate objectives, monitoring and evaluating performance, and highlighting achievements against these plans.
  

•  Medical Degree, Para-Medical Degree or Masters’ degree in a health-related field.  
  

• In-depth knowledge and thorough understanding of current issues relating to AMR – especially within humanitarian settings. 
  
• Knowledge/experience of current issues relating to global health, access to medicines and healthcare.  
  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, listening and negotiation skills. 
  
• Significant managerial experience working in humanitarian setting with MSF (or equivalent) in a management position. 
  
• Skilled at stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and building trusted relationships at all levels.
  
• Solid interpersonal skills with willingness and ability to communicate effectively with senior operational management, national authorities and other international organizations.
  
• Fluency in English is essential, with French language ability being advantageous.
  
• Proven ability to translate complex data, insights, and trends into clear strategic recommendations.
  
•  Knowledge and understanding of how global medical policies and guidelines are developed.  
  
• A demonstrable network of contacts within relevant medical and humanitarian actors, NGOs, academics.   
  
• Ability to identify emerging risks, opportunities, and external trends that may impact organisational priorities.
  
• Strong understanding of strategic frameworks (e.g., SWOT, PESTLE, OKRs, Theory of Change).
  
• Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. 
  
• The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer. 
  

Competencies

Respect:

a.​     Invites team members and colleagues from other departments to provide input on topics of discussion and considers their contribution and experience.

b.     Participates in and involves the team in the discussion and decision-making process that may affect all team members before the final decision is made.

c.     Values colleagues as human beings, demonstrated through equal respect for staff and beneficiaries.

• Contract duration is one year with a possibility of contract period extension.
  
•  A stimulating, professional environment in a reputed international organization.
  
• Compensation gross per month range USD 2335 to USD 3329 – (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.
  
•  Medical: MSF provides medical reimbursement for employees and their dependents as per MSF health care policy.
  
• This is an international vacancy with MSF South Asia and we provide MSF South Asia’s international package benefits of housing allowance, schooling allowance, holiday tickets and relocation package.
  

• * All benefits (salaries, allowances, etc) are subject to tax deduction*
  

      ** Non-Sri Lankan staff working in Sri Lanka and holding a resident permit are considered tax residents and are liable for income tax at progressive rates up to 36% on total income, inclusive of salary and benefits. As Sri Lanka operates on a self-assessment basis, staff are required to register for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), make quarterly advance tax payments as applicable.**