CONTEXT
The Operations Department of MSF OCB (Operational Centre Brussels) consists of 7 managerial and technical teams called Cells, each in charge of a portfolio of countries and 1 Emergency Team (E-Pool) for the management of intense emergency interventions. These teams directly supervise and support the implementation of the projects.
The expected future portfolio of the Abidjan-based cell will mainly include West-Africa & Sahel contexts, including Nigeria, Mali, Benin and Guinea (with handover to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and/or other partners foreseen by the end of 2027) Countries are indicative, as a re-shuffling of the portfolio within the Operations department occurs on a regular basis.
As a Medical Officer, you play a key medical role in the operational cell. You support the Medical Coordinators to safeguard the medical quality of the projects. It is a critical position to ensure a strong overview and support in the preparation and implementation of our projects. Your responsibilities are not tied to any specific context/country unless discussed and organized otherwise with the Medical Deputy Operations Coordinator.
You will report to the Medical Deputy Coordinator of Operations (DepCO) of the cell and functionally linked to the Operational Deputy Medical Director in the Medical Department.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The core function is to enhance and optimize the operational support and guidance of the projects, ensuring achievable and context-adapted quality of care.
Strategy Implementation Planning
- Co-define and co-design the Medical Operations (MedOps) strategy implementation with the medical coordination teams and the Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator
- Provide strategic input, leadership, and guidance to ensure plans are practical, achievable, and aligned with the medical priorities within the countries of interventions, in coordination with the DepCO
Strategic Oversight and Monitoring
- Ensure comprehensive monitoring and follow-up of the implementation of the medical strategy in all MSF operations through regular and ad hoc support to the medical coordination’s
Project Implementation
- Provide regular support to medical coordinators in the follow-up and implementation of projects in coordination with the DepCO
- Offer ad-hoc support as needed, ensuring that medical coordinators have the resources and assistance they need in agreement with the DepCO
Policies and Guidelines Management
- Ensure that medical resources, policies, and guidelines are relevant, appropriate, available, and effectively managed in the countries of interventions
- Regularly interact and coordinate with the medical referents to ensure that policies, guidelines, and guidance adapted/tailored to the medical operations and specific project’s context and objectives
Quality of Care (QoC) implementation
- Ensure and actively monitor the implementation of Quality of Care (QoC) standards and improvement plans across all projects
- Guide the medical teams in the programs to develop and enforce quality monitoring and improvement initiatives
Medical Activity Analysis
- Responsible for monitoring and analyzing medical activities and ensuring data-driven decision-making in collaboration with the DepCO
- Review and analyze medical reports and data, providing constructive feedback and involving the medical referent as required
Tool improvement and development
- Propose improvements to existing management and tracking tools (dashboards and internal control mechanisms, etc.) that are user-friendly, effective and context adapted to enhance the oversight of medical programs
Medical stock strategy and management
- Oversee the review, planning, and validation of the medical standard list and medical forecasts, including emergency preparedness (EPREP)
- Revise and validate medical orders within the agreed framework (budget, activity scope, medical master, and standard list, etc.)
- Define the medical stock management strategy and monitor its implementation (e.g., GSDP: “Good Storage and Distribution Practices”, SoP’s: “Standard Operating Procedures”, etc.) in collaboration with the supply officer and project teams
Human Resources planning and management
- Oversee the regular follow-up of projects’ human resource needs, including the review and planning of HR requirements, together with the DepCO
- Ensure effective matching and follow-up with the Human Resources Officer (HRO) and Pool Managers (PMs), including the briefing and debriefing of key medical operations staff in the countries of cell, in agreement with the DepCO
Budget
- Collaborate with the DepCO to ensure cost-awareness in medical decision-making, balancing quality of care with resources availability, context specificities and sustainability
- Participate in medical operations (MedOps) budget planning and management to ensure efficient allocation of resources for medical operations
Emergency response
- Participate in the medical support/guidance to the projects for emergency responses together with the DepCO and medical department referents
- Ensure rapid and effective deployment of resources and personnel in case of emergencies in the countries of operations of the cell, in collaboration with the DepCO
EPREP
- Ensure that the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPREP) strategy and scenarios are regularly updated and adapted to the evolving contexts in collaboration with the DepCO
Technical Files
- Provide first-line follow-up and inputs on technical files, according to specific expertise and in agreement with the DepCO
Staff Health
- Review and validate health policies for both International Mobile Staff (IMS) and Country Based Staff (CBS), ensuring comprehensive and effective healthcare provisions
- Facilitate the management of staff health files between the countries of interventions and the Staff Health Unit (SHU) (including medical evacuations) in coordination with the DepCO
Coordination with the medical department
- Engage with medical referents bilaterally or lead group discussions/working groups to support projects and enhance collaborative efforts
- Facilitate effective communication and coordination between medical project teams and the medical department
- Participate in medical department meetings, in relevant circles and in MedOps meetings, contributing to departmental strategies with updates from the programs, and reverting relevant information’s to the country teams
Communication and Information flow
- Promote open communication and information flow within the cell, the medical department, and the countries of interventions on all MedOps-related issues
- Maintain transparency and alignment across teams to foster a collaborative operational environment
Replace the Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator during absences or upon request, ensuring continuity of medical technical and strategic decision-making.
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience
- Medical or paramedical degree is mandatory
- Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology and/or basic knowledge of Humanitarian law is an asset
- Minimum 3 years of MSF international experience in different Operational contexts
- Minimum 1 year experience as Medical Coordinator with MSF is mandatory
- Experience in hospital management is an asset
- Experience in epidemics, public health, nutrition, IDPs (Internal Displaced populations) and refugees, emergency responses are an asset
Competencies
- Planning and organizing
- Strategic vision/oversight
- Negotiation and networking
- Coaching & mirroring with the teams
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Comprehensive knowledge of humanitarian interventions
- Results and quality orientation
- Able to set priorities, make choices, and assume decisions
- Strong cross-cultural awareness and adaptability
Languages
- Proficiency in French and English, both written and spoken is mandatory
CONDITIONS
- Expected starting date: As soon as possible
- Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Mobility: At least one visit of 2-3 weeks to each MSF project per year
- Type of contract: Fixed-term contract – Full-time
- Contract duration: 24 months (extendable)
- Salary according to MSF salary grid
- The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF function and salary grids
- Family position, possible according to the hosting MSF entity policies and conditions
- Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
- Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
Deadline for applications: 30th of August 2026
How to apply
How to apply?
- Submit your application via the ‘Apply here‘ button on the vacancy page
- You will be directed to the online application form for this position
- It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter (in PDF format)ready to upload
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
This position is only open to candidates with previous experience with MSF.
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More Information
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