Job Openings at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Rationale/Objective for Position

• The Head of ICT is responsible for coordinating and enabling ICT services across MSF Ubuntu, including field operations and head‑quarter support, ensuring that ICT effectively supports medical humanitarian action through interdependent collaboration with supporting and partner entities.
• The role operates in close collaboration and interdependence with MSF OCB, MSF Eastern Africa, and MSF Southern Africa, leveraging existing MSF ICT systems, standards, and expertise. It focuses on coordination, alignment, and operational coherence, rather than creating standalone Ubuntu‑specific ICT structures.
• At the same time, the position contributes to the co‑development of innovative, locally rooted ICT practices, models, and areas of expertise that are not yet established within the MSF movement, ensuring that these can be documented, shared, and scaled beyond Ubuntu where relevant.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• As part of the Logistics & Supply Department, the head of ICT contributes to the broader logistics objective of enabling safe, reliable, and efficient operations. The role ensures that ICT solutions support logistics, medical, operations, HR, finance, security, communications, and data needs in Ubuntu missions, while avoiding duplication and parallel systems.  
• The role also contributes to exploring and piloting context driven, community aware ICT solutions, ensuring that locally rooted innovations are assessed and shared with MSF partners when relevant and feasible.  

The Head of ICT:

• support for Ubuntu missions and HQ functions in collaboration with OCB, MSF Eastern Africa (EnA), and MSF Southern Africa SnA), in line with agreed partnership arrangements. 
• Act as the primary ICT focal point for Ubuntu, coordinating and channeling all ICT-related requests. 
• Ensure ICT services are operational, context‑adapted, and aligned with MSF standards. 
• Ensure all Ubuntu ICT Staffs are continuously trained, supported, and developed to maintain high performance and organizational capability.

Interdependent Partnership and Co‑Creation 

• Work in close partnership with EnA, SnA and OCB ICT as technical authority.
• Ensure Ubuntu operational needs are represented in joint ICT planning and represent Ubuntu in coordination forums.
• Ensure that Ubuntu led ICT innovations and lessons learned are shared, discussed, and co-owned with partners, with the aim of strengthening collective MSF capacity rather than creating Ubuntu specific solutions. 
• Works closely with OCB ICT leadership to contribute to ongoing Field ICT training activities, ensuring content is relevant, up-to-date, and aligned with operational needs and with SPARC ambitions of Interoperability and mutualization. 

Innovation, Local Anchoring and Added Value to the Movement 

• Identify opportunities where Ubuntu operations could benefit from innovative ICT.
• Engage, where relevant, with communities, local actors, and partners to ensure ICT solutions are appropriate, accessible, and supportive of community leadership. 
• Pilot and document ICT practices or models that respond to operational gaps not currently addressed within the MSF movement. 
• Share lessons learned and successful approaches with OCB and other MSF entities to inform potential movement wide adoption. 

Operational ICT Support and Quality 

• Ensure availability and reliability of ICT services supporting field operations (connectivity, communications, user support) are delivered as agreed with the partners.
• Coordinate ICT support through OCB and EnA and SnA. 
• Promote maintainable, scalable, and secure ICT solutions. 
• Ensure all ICT services or assets deployed in MSF Ubuntu are documented and that the documentation is maintained up to date. 

Security, Data Protection and Risk Management 

• Ensure ICT practices and usage of digital tools comply with MSF Ubuntu and MSF-wide policies on data protection, security, and access. 
• Support missions in identifying and mitigating ICT‑related risks. 
• Promote responsible and proportionate use of digital tools and data. 
• Raise users’ awareness about cybersecurity concerns in general and specific MSF Cyber exposure. 

Planning, Reporting and Learning 

• Contribute ICT inputs to Ubuntu operational planning, reporting, and risk analysis. 
• Monitor recurring ICT issues and system performance across missions. 
• Document lessons learned and contribute to shared MSF learning initiatives. 
• Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of Ubuntu developed ICT practices or expertise, ensuring transparency, learning, and potential reuse by other MSF entities. 

Capacity Building and Change Support 

• Support onboarding and capacity building of mission‑level ICT focal points. 
• Facilitate adoption of shared MSF ICT tools and systems in Ubuntu missions. 
• Act as a change enabler, supporting teams during system transitions.

Decision‑Making Authority 

• Take operational coordination decisions within agreed MSF ICT frameworks.
• Propose adaptations or exceptions based on field realities. 
• Escalates high‑risk or non‑standard decisions through the Logistics & Supply Director and OCB ICT.  

Organisational Positioning 

• This position is a coordination and enabling role, embedded within the Logistics & Supply Department, contributing to Ubuntu’s commitment to: 
• Interdependence within the MSF movement 
• Operational quality and safety 
• Avoidance of parallel systems 
• Effective support to medical humanitarian action 
• This position also contributes to Ubuntu’s ambition to develop new, locally grounded ICT expertise in partnership with others, creating added value for the MSF movement as a whole. 

Qualifications

Education

• Higher degree / Bachelor’s / Masters in ICT, computer science, or a related field.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; French is an asset 

Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of professional experience in ICT, including: 
• ICT operations in complex or low resource environments 
• Coordination across multiple stakeholders or entities 
• Support to field or operational teams 

Competencies

Technical Knowledge 

• Broad understanding of: 
• ICT infrastructure and connectivity 
• User support and service delivery 
• Data protection and information security principles 
• ICT governance and standardization 
• Practical, humble, field-oriented, flexible — aligned with Ubuntu’s values 

Behavioral/General  

• Strong commitment to MSF values and Ubuntu principles 
• Cross cultural awareness and security consciousness 
• Strategic vision, problem solving, and systems thinking 
• Ability to operate in interdependent and evolving organisational settings 
• Results oriented with strong planning and organisational skills 
• Initiative and openness to innovation, balanced with quality and risk awareness 
• Strong collaboration and partnership mindset 
• Ability to engage respectfully with communities, local actors, and non-traditional partners 

Conditions and Benefits:

• Job Location: MSF Eastern Africa office in Nairobi (Kenya), or Johannesburg (South Africa).
• Contract: 3 years (renewable), Full-time contract.
• Start date: As Soon As Possible.
• Annual Salary and other benefits: In line with MSF reward policy, Subjected to local conditions.

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Purpose of the Role

• The Head of Logistics ensures that MSF Ubuntu has operationally sound, context‑adapted, and high‑quality logistics systems, and that missions receive appropriate logistics support, tools, and capacity building to operate safely, effectively, and in line with MSF Ubuntu values. This role provides strategic oversight, inter-OD alignment and coordination, and contextual adaptation of logistics systems, while relying on and working closely with OCB as the primary provider of logistics support. The role serves as the logistics focal point and operational reference within MSF Ubuntu, focusing on system coherence, implementation follow‑up, and continuous improvement, rather than direct technical delivery.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

Logistics Systems, Information & Knowledge Management

• Contribute to the development of operational logistics standards, guidance, and technical references, ensuring coherence with MSF frameworks, Ubuntu-OCB logistics & technical standards and Ubuntu strategic orientations.
• Adapt and contextualize existing MSF global tools to MSF Ubuntu operational realities (energy, fleet, facilities, supply interfaces, ...) in close collaboration with partner ODs to maintain coherence and collective system ownership.
• Maintain a simple, centralized set of Ubuntu‑specific logistics tools and templates, ensuring they remain usable, mission‑adapted, and fully complementary to existing systems, and support coherent, light, and operationally driven reporting.
• Identify system‑level logistics gaps or risks and ensure they are addressed with relevant stakeholders.
• Promote and facilitate the capitalisation and systematic dissemination of logistics lessons and good practices, strengthening peer‑to‑peer learning and cross‑country knowledge sharing.

Technical Partnership and Inter‑OD Interface

• Act as MSF Ubuntu’s technical and operational interface with other MSF Operational Directorates (ODs) on logistics matters, representing Ubuntu in relevant intersectional platforms and coordinating access to technical support and systems across the Movement.
• Collaborate with partner ODs to maintain coherence between logistics support with other logistics‑related domains outside Ubuntu/OCB logistics partnership’s scope.
• Facilitate two‑way technical exchange by bringing Ubuntu field realities, lessons learned, and locally rooted practices into inter‑OD technical discussions.
• Support joint technical workstreams or pilots with partner ODs, as mandated by the Logistics & Supply Director.

Quality Assurance & Mission Support 

• Support missions in analysing logistics risks, gaps, and needed improvements.
• Monitor adherence to essential standards (Log Basics, safety, maintenance).
• Support logistics reviews, audits follow ups, and readiness assessments.

Knowledge & Information Management 

• Maintain a simple, centralised set of Ubuntu logistics templates & tools.
• Ensure logistics reporting is coherent, light, and operationally useful.
• Document lessons learned and good practices from missions for internal use and sharing with partners.

Localisation & Contextual Adaptation

• Support context‑adapted planning.
• Ensure logistics systems integrate local actors, technicians and markets.
• Adapt organigrams and roles using the Ubuntu Log Org Design Guide (staffing guidance/ staffing model) in line with operational realities and project scale.
• Promote context‑appropriate and sustainable logistics solutions that are compatible with local systems, capacities, and regulatory environments.

Logistics in Operations

• Work closely with Medical, Supply, Fin/HR, ICT, Security and Ops to embed logistics as a core operational partner rather than a support function only.
• Provide hands on operational logistics support where coordination structures are limited or still being built.
• Contributes to defining and refining Ubuntu’s logistics operational model, grounded in field realities.
• Ensure logistics delivers tangible added value to operations through pragmatic, timely support.
• Support missions directly during start up, transition, and scale up phases.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and gaps in logistics delivery and propose pragmatic adjustments to tools, processes, and ways of working.

Capacity Building

• Identify and prioritize learning and development needs for LogCos, LTLs, technical staff, national logisticians, and relevant community‑based actors, in coordination with L&D, partner ODs, and intersectional platforms.
• Provide briefings, coaching, and targeted support to LogCos and LTLs, strengthening leadership and technical capacity.
• Liaise with L&D, partner ODs, and intersectional platforms to ensure the availability of practical learning tools and training opportunities for mission use.
• Promote on‑the‑job learning, peer exchange, and use of existing MSF training platforms.
• Support the development of national staff capacity pathways aligned with operational needs and local context.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and support bottom‑up, field‑driven logistics improvements.
• Integrate relevant local innovations into logistics practices and capitalize on lessons learned by sharing them within MSF Ubuntu and with partners where appropriate.
• Promote simple, field-tested ways of improving workflows.
• Identify and propose opportunities for further collaboration with other ODs.

Education:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Logistics, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in humanitarian logistics, including:
• Field‑based logistics coordination roles in complex or insecure contexts
• Technical support, advisory, or headquarters‑based logistics roles
• Experience working across multiple missions or regions

Demonstrated experience in:

• Designing and adapting logistics systems and tools
• Supporting and coaching field logistics teams
• Working in interdependent or matrix organisational settings
• Strong MSF field logistics background, including participation in 3–5 missions, ideally in a Logistics Coordinator (LogCo) role.

Key Competencies

Technical & Systems Competencies

• Solid technical knowledge across core logistics domains (fleet, energy, facilities, construction, supply interfaces, maintenance, safety)
• Strong understanding of MSF logistics standards, Log Basics, and field operational realities
• Strong logistics systems thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to translate global standards into practical, field‑adapted solutions
• Quality assurance mindset, with attention to safety and compliance
• Skilled in systems thinking, practice design, and simplification of tools

Collaboration & Interdependence

• Strong ability to work collaboratively across departments and with other MSF Operational Directorates
• Experience acting as a technical interface or connector between entities
• Excellent cross‑cultural communication and collaboration skills
• Respectful and constructive engagement with partners and stakeholders

Localisation & Capacity Building

• Knowledge of localisation approaches, capacity‑building methodologies, and context‑adapted system design
• Commitment to strengthening national staff capacity and leadership
• Ability to integrate local actors, technicians, and markets into logistics systems
• Coaching and facilitation skills
• Experience in community‑based design is an asset

Behavioural/General Competencies

• Alignment with MSF values and Ubuntu principles
• Cross cultural awareness and security sensitivity
• Strategic vision
• Results and quality orientation
• Service orientation
• Planning and organising
• Initiative and innovation
• Teamwork and cooperation
• People management and development
• Networking and relationship building
• Ability to work autonomously within a clear accountability framework
• Pragmatic, flexible, and solution-oriented approach.

Languages:

• Essential: Proficiency in English
• French is a strong asset

Conditions and benefits:

• Location: Johannesburg or Nairobi (with frequent travel to field missions and partner platforms)
• Contract: Full-time.
• Position Grade/Level: 11 (Senior Management).
• Starting Date: To be confirmed (aligned with Ubuntu operational rollout).
• Travel: 20% to 50% a year (projects and inter-hub Programmes).
• Salary and Benefits: Based on the compensation and benefits package in the MSF hosting entity (Eastern Africa / Southern Africa).
• May be required to work extended hours during emergency operations