General rationale for this post

Over the past six to eight years, the MSF Brussels operational centre has developed considerable capacity for conducting operational research (OR) in missions focused on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB). This has translated into the publication of large numbers of scientific peer reviewed papers, a strong visibility at international AIDS conferences and forums and most importantly a significant contribution to advocacy and policy change at program level.

The current ambition of the decentralized unit for Operational Research in MSF Luxemburg (LUXOR) is to enhance an Operational Research culture and capacity in domains outside HIV/AIDS and TB.

Bringing in Operational Research and a spirit of “questioning what we do and how we do it” is likely to positively impact program outcomes and effectiveness and also attract staff with higher levels of technical capacity.

The first step in this process is to develop an Operational Research agenda within non-HIV missions based on demands coming from the field A field ambassador position is thus considered to be highly relevant to conduct field visits and help develop such an Operational Research agenda list together with the field teams.

Geographical location of the post

Because of the competencies and capacity for Operational Research available in the MSF-Luxembourg section, the non HIV/TB OR is decentralized to the section.

The Operational Research Field Ambassador (ORFA) would be a Luxembourg section field based post. To ensure that the field generated Operational Research agenda is identified and to set and to ensure interaction within the Luxembourg Operational Research Unit and operational cells in OCB and other OCs.

SPECIFIC TASKS

S/he will visit different field settings and will help to generate/identify ideas for Operational Research with the field teams oriented by the program officer.

• S/he will stimulate the development of operational research questions. This will be program oriented and will thus be focused on program objectives and identified constraints. The research questions will be focused around the constraints

• The research questions will then lead to the development of a research agenda

• S/he will explore + map relevant local (national & international) operational research networks for potential research collaboration

• OR agenda (and the relevant available networks) will be discussed with the Operational Research Unit and the operations department and the list will be edited and finalized taking into consideration priorities, existing resources etc.

• S/he co-develops (in collaboration with the Operational Research Unit) research protocols.

Functional interaction (OCB - Luxembourg) • The coordinator of Operational Research is the overall medical department reference person in regard to guiding global policy and strategic aspects of Operational Research and medical data in the OCB. The ambassador will be guided by the OR coordinator and program officer for Operational Research based in Luxembourg

• The operational research field ambassador will work mainly with field teams in various locations and the work will be coordinated by the program officer and OR coordinator. • In between missions, the person will be based mainly in the Luxembourg office.

Candidate profile

Qualifications and experience
- Medical or paramedical with MPH
- MSF or NGO field experience of at least 2 years.
- Operational Research experience and research protocol writing are desirable

Other criteria

- Good inter-personal and communication skills,
- Proven ability to work highly autonomously and in changing team settings
- Willingness to travel frequently to various field settings (field : office ratio = 80:20)

Languages :

- Fluent knowledge of spoken and written English.
- English professional writing skills are desirable
- Reasonable working knowledge of French

Conditions :

• Full time expat contract, initially for 6-9 months. This post might evolve to a permanent HQ position

• Reports to the OR coordinator and program officer in Luxemburg

Please send your CV and motivation letter before the 31 of August 2010

Médecins Sans Frontières
Abs Stéphanie Frogneux
68, rue de Gasperich
L - 1617 Luxembourg
Ref : MFPX Or by e-mail : stephanie.frogneux@luxembourg.msf.org

Due to crucial timing of the post, short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview before deadline.