Purpose of the role
As Director of Operations (DO), the role will lead the strategic operational direction of MSF Ubuntu, rooted in Eastern and Southern Africa, while acting globally. The position is responsible for overseeing the design, execution and evolution of the operational portfolio, ensuring alignment with MSF Ubuntu’s core concepts: community leadership, interdependence, maximising sustainable outcomes, accountability, and locally rootedness. The role will be accountable for translating MSF Ubuntu’s medical-humanitarian mission into transformative and high-impact operations, while also anchoring our decision-making in community needs to deliver a people-centred approach.
Job Dimensions
- Reports to: General Director, MSF Ubuntu
- Location: Johannesburg or Nairobi, with frequent regional and international travel (30–40%)
- Team Management: Supervises a multidisciplinary team of Country Operational Managers, Head of Community Engagement, Head of Analysis, Advocacy, Representation & Networking and the Head of the MSF Ubuntu E- Team
- Budget Responsibility: Shared oversight of multi-million-euro portfolio and operational resource allocation
- Organisational Integration: Member of Ubuntu Executive Management Team, and contributor to RIOD (International Platform of Operational Directors)
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Lead the formulation and evolution of MSF Ubuntu’s operational strategy, including multi-year and annual operational plans.
- Ensure integration of Ubuntu’s foundational concepts, including community- led approaches, decentralised leadership, and accountability into core operation activities of the OD.
- Champion agile and adaptive programming that reflects the changing humanitarian landscape
Operational Oversight & Performance
- Provide strategic oversight across all active projects and country programmes
- Approve project lifecycle decisions: community engagement, start-up, expansion, scale-back and handover
- Monitor the quality of care and operational effectiveness, embedding MEAL principles and patient/community feedback mechanisms
Security & Risk Management
- Design proactive and inclusive security management policies that prioritize community acceptance, contextual awareness, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Continuously assess operational environments (including conflict zones, unstable regions, or health emergencies) to adapt security protocols accordingly.
- Foster trust and collaboration with local communities, authorities, and other NGOs to enhance security through acceptance and understanding of MSF expectations.
- Participate in Critical Incident Management structures and uphold MSF’s duty of care to staff and patients.
- Ensure rapid and coordinated responses to security breaches, critical security incidents, or medical emergencies.
People Leadership & Team Development
- Manage and mentor a diverse team of senior operational staff, fostering leadership growth and accountability
- Uphold MSF Ubuntu’s EDI and blended staffing principles
- Lead performance management and development planning for all direct reports
Interdependence, Partnerships & Representation
- Cultivate collaborative alliances within MSF and with key external actors: Ministries of Health, civil society, academia, and humanitarian stakeholders
- Represent MSF Ubuntu in MSF international platforms (RIOD), and in media or advocacy spaces when relevant
- Strengthen ties with affected communities, supporting their voice in operational choices and public positioning
Innovation, Advocacy, and Medical Leadership
- Drive operational innovation aligned with Ubuntu’s people-centred and maximising sustainable outcomes frameworks
- Collaborate with the Medical Director and technical referents to ensure medical strategy is embedded in operational planning
- Promote evidence-based advocacy, operational communications and the Ubuntu principle of “Speaking Out”
Experience, Qualifications, and Skills
Essential
- At least 12 years’ humanitarian programme experience, including as Head of Mission or equivalent senior leadership role
- At least 7 years’ humanitarian programme experience with MSF.
- Proven expertise in managing complex medical-humanitarian operations and navigating high-risk environments
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary, multicultural teams
- Strong understanding of the global political, humanitarian and medical context
- Budgeting and resource allocation for large-scale, multi-country operations
- Fluency in English required
Desirable
- Prior experience with MSF or similar INGO.
- French, Portuguese, Swahili or Arabic are strong assets
Core Competencies
- Strategic Vision & Adaptive Leadership
- Inclusive and People-Centred Approach
- Risk Management & Operational Decision-Making
- Cross-Cultural Communication & Negotiation
- Transformational Leadership and Innovation
- Crisis and Security Management
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