About the course 

This intersectional course aims to increase your skills and effectiveness as a Humanitarian Affairs staff in country programs. It will provide you with the skills and tools to better address the tasks and challenges of your role. You will learn the core knowledge, skills and practice of humanitarian affairs work within MSF, and take part in interactive exercises and scenarios to help apply this learning in your role. The target audience is Humanitarian Affairs staff, by invitation only. The course has a virtual and face to face format, in English. 

Target audience 

Humanitarian Affairs staff who are first departure, or have completed 1-2 postings and are committed to continuing with MSF for at least one further posting and/or 12 months in a humanitarian affairs role. Duration Participants are expected to commit to 12h for self-guided learning, as part of their preparations, for the face to face 5 days training. 

Learning objectives 

By end of the course, participants will be able to: 

Explain the role and function of humanitarian affairs and temoignage within MSF 

• Analyse the humanitarian landscape 
• Apply practical field research skills 
• Develop strategic advocacy plans 

List of contents 

• The Principles of Humanitarian Action 
• Humanitarian Affairs 
• MSF and the Humanitarian ‘Ecosystem’ 
• MSF and Protection 
• MSF Advocacy 
• Ethical Alertness and MSF Dilemmas 
• Ethics and Data 
• Research Methods 
• Medical Data Systems 
• Testimony Collection 
• Interview Skills 
• Community Approach and Community Led Advocacy

Methodology

Self-guided learning as well as face to face work, with individual and group assignments. 

Evaluation 

Throughout the training, participants will work on a case study in groups with their peers. At the end of the training, they will present their advocacy plan to a panel of senior staff. 

Certification 

After successful completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate and a digital badge awarded by MSF OCA. 

Requirements/Prerequisites 

Humanitarian Affairs staff who are first departure, or have completed 1-2 postings and are committed to continuing with MSF for at least one further posting and/or 12 months in a humanitarian affairs role.

Enrolment

This is a course upon selection, and restricted to humanitarian affairs staff. The application window is announced via email by the OCA HQ L&D Officers.

The recommendation letter for this course needs to be written by the Head of Mission for those in mission, or Career Manager for those in-between missions.