Vacancies at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

The position strengthens the medical oversight and operational capacity of OCBA’s Cell X by providing delegated technical leadership in pharmacy management, nursing care, IPC, patient safety, staff health and referral systems. It ensures alignment between mission‑level medical strategies and organizational policies while guaranteeing responsible use of medical supplies and data. The role contributes to defining medical needs, validating medical supply plans, and supporting implementation of medical standards across missions. It also provides guidance on emergency preparedness, supports medical reporting, and represents medical perspectives during coordination processes. When required, the position replaces the Cell Health Advisor in specific technical and coordination duties.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAIN TASKS

• Provide technical guidance on pharmacy, nursing, IPC, patient safety, staff health, and referrals to ensure alignment with operational and medical department priorities.
• Define and validate annual medical supply needs and budgets in coordination with finance, supply, and field medical teams.
• Monitor and ensure proper procurement, management, and reporting of medical supplies in compliance with MSF procedures.
• Ensure implementation of staff health, medical evacuation, and referral policies across supported missions.
• Guarantee oversight of medical buffer stocks and emergency preparedness supplies in collaboration with technical referents.
• Verify the quality of medical data and reporting, analysing trends to support operational decision‑making.
• Provide technical briefings and identify training needs for mission medical teams and relevant support staff.
• Conduct field visits to assess medical activities, support mission teams, and contribute to strategic planning.

ROLE’S SPECIFIC ELEMENTS

• Supports the medical oversight of missions in South Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria.
• Represents medical issues in cell‑level meetings and contributes to cross‑departmental dialogue.
• Replaces the Cell Health Advisor when delegated.
• Works closely with supply, finance, and technical referents to ensure integrated medical support.
• Participates in relevant internal and external meetings as assigned.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Qualified Medical Doctor, Nurse or register Pharmacist with experience in humanitarian context, pharmacy management and international medical orders.
• Field experience with MSF at Coordination level, Senior Project Medical Referent, Deputy Medco or Medco profile is required.
• Previous experience in emergency interventions would be an asset.
• Basic computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet are required.
• Knowledge of pharmacy tools (iStock), International Medical Order procedures and medical data software (HMIS/ DHIS2) is a must.
• Fluency in English is compulsory, French and other mission language (as Swahili or Arabic) are an asset.

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KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Lead the definition and implementation of the strategic orientations the Global Procurement Unit 

• Based on the priorities expressed by the different entities and scopes of procurement (direct, indirect and field), the key orientations of the movement and of the supply chain department, propose to the ESCC the strategic orientations for the procurement function and the global procurement unit. 
• Ensure consistency and synchronisation between the GPU strategic priorities and the procurement and supply priorities of the different entities. 
• Operationalise these strategic priorities into an action plan. Anticipate risks, resources and stakeholders to be engaged.  
• Together with your team, define the resources needed to achieve the strategic objectives set and advocate for the obtention of these resources. 
• Report to the ESCC on the GPU key achievements, risks and issues, and look for buy in from the entities on key decisions. 

Ensure that global procurement activities respond to the needs of MSF entities 

• Together with your team, establish the right channels of communication and processes to capture the needs and feedback from the different entities for each scope of procurement (direct, Indirect and field). 
• Based on these needs and feedback, establish with your team the adjustments needed in the action plans and priorities to enhance the value delivered by global procurement activities to MSF (risk management, cost optimisation, quality, etc). 
• Define, monitor and analyse the key indicators to follow your activity. Identify improvement areas and capitalize on them. 
• In case of an emergency, be ready to support MSF operations with the requested support: coordination, sourcing task force or temporary detachment of team members. 

Lead the team working in the Global Procurement Unit (25-30 team members), coordinate and ensure coherence between the different activities managed by them. 

• Set the working framework for your team. Bring them together around a common vision and objectives of the activities under your responsibility. 
• Accompany each member of your team in order to improve their contribution to the common objectives and promote their professional development.  
• Promote a working environment that takes into account diversity of approaches and encourages trust and collaborative work. Regulate individual and collective tensions. 
• Put forward the work stakes of the GPU team to the other teams in the different MSF entities. 

​​​​​​​Foster collaboration between GPU team and the procurement stakeholders working in the different entities. 

• Know the main actors and key stakeholders for your activity. Develop and mobilise a network required to smoothly carry out the activities under your responsibility. 
• Develop and maintain a smooth flow of communication and feedback on global procurement activities to keep your stakeholders up to date and capture their feedback and areas of improvement. 
• Closely collaborate with the Executive Supply Chain Committee in order to engage global procurement stakeholders and ensure alignment between their activities. 

​​​​​​​Plan and manage the resources allocated to the activities under your responsibility. 

• Lead the construction of the budget necessary for the running of the activities under your responsibility. 
• With your team, discuss the HR needed in terms of number and profile (profession, experience, complementarity with other team members) in order to achieve a team composition adapted to the needs of your activities. 
• Conduct recruitment interviews and select your team members according to previously established criteria and MSF recruitment policy. 
• Ensure the proper use and monitoring of the resources made available for the activities under your responsibility. 

Job requirements

Practical / technical knowledge 

• Master’s degree in business, with ideally a specialization in purchasing, supply chain or project management, or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.  
• 10+ years of experience in Procurement or Supply-related function 
• Proven experience with people management. 
• Direct work experience in a complex multi-entity’ organization. 
• Experience in global contracting and negotiations. 
• Experience with MSF in procurement or supply chain is mandatory