Medico-Legal Advisor

Deadline for submission
Location
Belgium
Expertise Legal
Language skills French English
MSF experience required Previous MSF experience mandatory
Contract type Open ended
Time allocation Full time
Work model Hybrid
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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation. 

Medico-Legal Advisor (m/f/x) – Brussels – MSF Belgium

CONTEXT 

The MSF International Legal Department (ILD) is currently the only intersectional department of MSF. Primarily dedicated to support MSF operations, its field of expertise is varied, including international humanitarian law (IHL), medico-legal issues, medical research, labour law, commercial and administrative law, trademarks and international governance.

The ILD is divided in 6 Units specialized in different areas of law. The ILD Unit 2 aims at providing technical advice, policy expertise and support on medico-legal, patient’s rights and protection to MSF operations. 

To support the increase in activities, a new full-time position for a Unit 2 Legal Advisor has been created to support the operations of MSF Operational Center Brussels (OCB).

The Medico-Legal Advisor for OCB is part of ILD Unit 2 team, which is composed of 6 members, and reports to the Deputy General Director of OCB while being under the functional supervision of the ILD Unit 2 Legal Manager. The Unit 2 Medico-Legal works closely with both program and headquarter staff working in different departments in OCB (e.g., Medical, Operations, Communications, Advocacy Departments) and other ILD members.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the position of OCB Unit 2 Medico-Legal Advisor is to provide support to operations to ensure minimum legal standards regarding medico-legal, patient’s rights and protection issues are implemented across MSF programs. This includes:

  • Fostering and promoting patient-centered healthcare provision through the respect of patients’ rights and international medical ethics in MSF’s activities
  • Maximizing MSF operations’ understanding of medico-legal, patients’ rights, and protection frameworks of countries of intervention
  • Minimizing risks for patients and staff arising from medico-legal, patients’ rights, and protection issues in countries of intervention

RESPONSIBILITIES

As OCB Unit 2 Medico-Legal Advisor, you:

  • Provide legal support and/or advice to operations on medico-legal matters and MSF legal responsibilities towards patients, namely: 
    • Gender-based violence and harmful practices
    • Torture and other forms of violence
    • Medical confidentiality
    • Consent
    • Sexual and reproductive rights
    • Certification
    • Protection and individual case management (notably related to minors and populations in situation of vulnerability)
    • Requests of arrest/detention/interrogation of patients
    • Requests to access patient information
  • Analyze the medico-legal legal framework applicable to MSF medical and humanitarian activities in the different countries of intervention and support operations on how to best navigate it
  • Monitor legal and regulatory developments concerning the medico-legal issues applicable to MSF's medical and humanitarian activities
  • Conduct project visits to provide support to teams with any issues. Project visits are to be defined as per operational needs and in agreement with ILD Unit 2 Manager
  • Advise field teams in the prevention and management of legal risks arising from medico legal issues 
  • Ensure the dissemination and promotion among project teams of ILD Unit 2 tools, best practices and materials
  • Brief and train project teams on issues pertaining to the medico-legal, patient’s rights and protection issues
  • Ensure implementation of MSF policies on the certification for survivors of violence
  • Ensure implementation of archiving procedures related to highly sensitive data
  • Develop tools and draft guidelines and memos on medico-legal matters to support project teams
  • Contributes to ILD Unit 2 intersectional work as an active member
  • Fill in the ILD time sheet system

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

  • Advanced university degree in law is compulsory (Master’s degree or equivalent). An academic focus on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, Public Health, humanitarian action, medical ethics, gender studies or protection
  • Minimum 4 years of work experience, out of which 2 should be relevant to the academic focus
  • Minimum 1-year international experience with MSF is mandatory
  • Experience with other humanitarian organizations is an asset

Competencies

  • Solid understanding of issues related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Survivors of Violence (SoV), protection, and medical ethics.
  • Solid critical thinking and creative problem-solving; initiative; communication (public speaking, trainings, etc.); interpersonal skills; cultural awareness, leadership; teamwork; organizational skills; 
  • results-oriented approach
  • Good knowledge of MS-Office 365 tools 

Languages

  • Proficient level in English and French, both spoken and written, is mandatory
  • Good knowledge of Spanish or other MSF operational languages is an asset

Other 

  • Availability and willingness to carry out visits to MSF project, also on short notice in case of emergency

CONDITIONS

  • Expected starting date: April 2025
  • Location: Brussels (Belgium)
  • Mobility: 2 - 3 regular MSF project visits per year, and eventual visits in case of emergency
  • Contract type: Open-ended contract – Full-time – up to 50% homeworking per week possible
  • Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid
  • Meal Vouchers - Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs
  • Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
  • Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 2nd of March 2025

How to apply?

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button 

➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position

➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload

Position only open to candidates with previous MSF experience! (“Médecins Sans Frontières)

No MSF experience? Check out other job offers on our website.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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