Humanitarian Affairs Representative to Canada

Location: Ottawa
Status: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time)
Salary: $112,176 annually
Reports to: Executive Director
Anticipated Start Date: April 6, 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

MSF Canada’s Humanitarian Affairs Representative leads and carries out medical humanitarian diplomacy in support of MSF’s social mission, acting as MSF’s primary focal point to the Canadian government and civil society organizations in Canada, and leading MSF Canada’s team responsible for humanitarian and medical advocacy, institutional funding, and our overall approach to government engagement in Canada.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, change-driven leader who demonstrates:

• Commitment to MSF’s principles and a values-based approach to leadership
• Cross-cultural awareness and the ability to foster inclusion across diverse teams
• Resilience and composure under pressure, supporting the well-being of others
• Teamwork and cooperation, building strong, trust-based relationships across the organization
• People management and development, leading by example and empowering others to grow and perform

Key Responsibilities

• Lead MSF’s Humanitarian Diplomacy, Advocacy, and Representation in Canada: Nurtures and leads engagement with a network of value to MSF operations & MSF Canada leadership, including the Government of Canada, civil society, the private sector, academia, and other influencers as appropriate to explain MSF’s position on humanitarian issues and facilitate MSF’s operations through advocacy, negotiations, and securing institutional funding.

• Humanitarian Issues - Management and Representation: Provides a strong day-to-day leadership presence on humanitarian issues management, bridging departments to ensure cross-fertilization of skills, tactics and ideas and demonstrating an open-door policy for all staff seeking guidance on humanitarian affairs; Acts as an integral part of MSF Canada’s leadership, providing strategic advice and guidance on organization-wide policies and humanitarian issues, for example to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Department Directors, and People Managers.

• People Leadership: Directly manages the Humanitarian Affairs and Public Institutional Funding team, including the Grant Manager, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Medical Policy and Advocacy Officer and the Advocacy & Strategy Advisor; Promotes a positive work environment within the Humanitarian Affairs and Public Institutional Funding team that encourages engagement with MSF Canada’s vision and values.

• Strategic Oversight: In collaboration with the Executive Director’s Office and international partners and platforms (Humanitarian Representation Team in the International Office, Access Campaign, MSF operations), defines goals, objectives, and metrics including development of humanitarian affairs Goals in the Strategic Plan, Annual Plans, including strategies and budgeting for MSF Canada’s Humanitarian Affairs and Public Institutional Funding work in Canada

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in the humanitarian sector at a senior level, preferably with expertise in international affairs, public health, a health professional role, and issues that impact humanitarian activities
• Knowledgeable guiding communications and advocacy actions within the field of humanitarian aid, and with some public health, clinical, or health protection background
• Experience working in Canadian national and international policy related to international development, foreign affairs, or health at a federal level
• Experience working within government processes, including monitoring and engaging in policy and legislative development and implementation
• Excellent strategic communication and advisory skills, preferably in a public advocacy environment
• Fluency in English (verbal and written)
• Functional proficiency in French is highly preferred

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 include:

• Salary: $112,176
• 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

Application deadline: February 17, 2026 by 9am EST

Link to full job description