Application Guide
How to Apply for Climate, Environment & Health Engagement and Advocacy Lead
at Médecins Sans Frontières
🏢 About Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion, and natural disasters. MSF is unique in its principled, needs-based approach, its commitment to bearing witness, and its decentralized structure, offering a dynamic and mission-driven work environment. Working at MSF means contributing to life-saving operations and advocating for change in some of the world's most challenging contexts.
About This Role
This role is central to MSF's efforts to engage and advocate on climate, environment, and health issues, a growing priority for the organization. You will lead the development and implementation of engagement and advocacy strategies, working with internal and external stakeholders to amplify MSF's voice and drive policy change. This is an impactful position that bridges medical humanitarian action with global environmental advocacy, ensuring that MSF's operational insights inform broader climate health discussions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve virtual meetings with MSF colleagues from different sections to align on advocacy priorities, drafting a policy brief or a public statement on a climate-related health crisis, and coordinating with external partners or policymakers. You might also spend time analyzing data from field operations to inform advocacy messages, and preparing for an upcoming conference or campaign launch. The role is dynamic, blending strategic planning with hands-on communication and networking.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Médecins Sans Frontières Is Looking For
- Proven experience in advocacy, campaigning, or public engagement, preferably in the humanitarian or health sector, with a strong understanding of climate and health interlinkages.
- Excellent strategic thinking and ability to translate complex issues into compelling narratives and actionable advocacy plans.
- Strong stakeholder management and networking skills, with experience working in multicultural, decentralized environments.
- Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence and inspire diverse audiences, including internal MSF entities and external policy makers.
📝 Tips for Applying to Médecins Sans Frontières
Tailor your CV and cover letter to explicitly highlight your experience in climate/health advocacy, not just general humanitarian work. Use specific examples of campaigns or initiatives you've led.
Demonstrate your understanding of MSF's unique operational approach and how your advocacy experience can support field teams. Mention any experience working with medical or humanitarian staff.
Research MSF's recent climate and health publications, statements, and campaigns. Reference these in your application to show you've done your homework and align with their current priorities.
Emphasize your ability to work remotely and across time zones, as the role is location-flexible but requires coordination with MSF offices globally. Provide examples of successful remote collaboration.
Be explicit about your commitment to MSF's principles of independence, neutrality, and bearing witness, and how you would uphold these in your advocacy work.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your motivation for joining MSF specifically, linking your personal values to MSF's humanitarian mission and its growing focus on climate and health.", "Your specific achievements in advocacy or engagement, quantified if possible (e.g., 'led a campaign that resulted in policy change' or 'mobilized X stakeholders').", 'Your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in advocating for climate and health in humanitarian settings, and how your skills address them.', "Your ability to work in a decentralized, multicultural, and remote environment, with examples of how you've navigated such complexity before."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read MSF's recent reports and position papers on climate and health, such as 'Climate Change and Health' or 'From Words to Action'.
- → Explore MSF's operational research and case studies on how climate change is affecting the populations they serve, and how they are adapting.
- → Understand MSF's governance structure, particularly the roles of MSF International, sections, and associations, and how advocacy decisions are made.
- → Follow MSF's public campaigns and statements on climate-related issues to understand their current messaging and priorities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application that doesn't specifically address climate and health or MSF's unique mission. Tailor everything to the role.
- Avoid focusing only on your own organization's achievements without showing how you've collaborated or influenced others, as this role requires stakeholder engagement.
- Don't neglect to mention your ability to work remotely and across cultures. MSF is a global movement, and this role requires cross-cultural competence.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: September 10, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Médecins Sans Frontières!