Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. As a non-profit, self-governed movement of over 63,000 dedicated professionals, we provide life-saving medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and exclusion from healthcare.
Our work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. We act based on need, and when we witness injustice, we speak out. Our commitment to professionalism and humanity can mean the difference between life and death.
People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnic background, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they intersect together.
The Operations department of MSF-OCA is looking for:
Operations Manager x2
(Amsterdam & Berlin)
In this position you line manage a group of Country Managers (Heads of Missions of 3-6 countries), an Operations advisor as well as an Operations officer, indirectly you line manage on average 100 international mobile staff and 3500 locally recruited staff with a total budget of approx. 45 million euro. Functionally you also coordinate the members of the operations support team (Health Advisors, Logistics Advisor, HR Advisor, Finance, Communication and Humanitarian affairs advisors for the portfolio) in close collaboration with the Operations Advisor. The Operations Manager reports to the Director of Operations.
The main objectives of the position of Operations Manager are:
You drive the development of the short- and long-term approach and strategy on medical humanitarian aid and témoignage in assigned countries of operations.
You provide strategic guidance and support to the Heads of Missions. You initiate, lead, and manage humanitarian-medical responses, ensuring the manageability of operations from medical, security management, and humanitarian perspectives. In doing so, you seek alignment across OC´s and manage the relationship with other departments to enable synergy.
You safeguard MSF’s different values, principles, and policies. You ensure that security management is adapted effectively to balance risk and impact. You ensure that security incidents are managed, and you initiate the response to and advise on critical Incidents. You may lead the response after consultation with the (deputy) Director Operations
You ensure availability of specialized knowledge and skills in your teams, fostering engagement and a safe working environment.
You ensure information flow from the MT to the members of the desk/teams, and you represent the desk/ team towards the MT and other departments, to ensure priorities are considered. The Berlin based OM will be part of the MSF Germany MT and will contribute to the MSF Germany vision and strategy.
You organise the desk/ teams and promote and initiate learning and reflection.
You must be willing to work long, and irregular hours, and you visit the countries of operations regularly, minimum once a year, including available for travel at short notice to countries of operations.
German-based position specific responsibilities
Lead the MT’s thinking and actions on agreed strategic priorities in the domain of operations; ensure that priority operational issues are properly prepared, debated and decided on by the MT
Manage Berlin Operations Department and ensure timely delivery of the Operations Department contributions to the MSF-Germany strategic and annual plans, budgets and reporting
Represent the Department during board meetings
Ensure good exchanges with other departments and realize synergies where possible
Ensure information flow from the MT and Office to the members of the Department and vice versa. Ensure that the concerns and priorities of the Operations Department staff are taken into consideration by the MT
Occasionally, carry out representation tasks or other related activities in Germany.
Candidate profile
(Required) has at least 8 years MSF field experience in complex humanitarian contexts, of which a minimum of 3 years in a relevant management position (e.g., Head of Mission).
Strong record in management, leadership and coaching.
Capability of directing people of various disciplines and cultural backgrounds over time and distance.
Experience with a range of issues and responsibilities within the respective organisation, such as security management, policy formulation, financial and human resource management.
Capablilty to think of strategically and conceptually, and being able to translate concepts into practice.
Good communication skills, including media and presentation skills (essential), as well as an excellent command of English and French. Knowledge of Arabic or Spanish is considered an advantage.
A medical profile is an asset.
Willingness to work long and irregular hours and travel (approx. 40%) including at short notice.
We offer
As one of the positions is based in the office in Amsterdam and the other in Berlin, different employment conditions will apply. Information on the employment package will be provided to the candidates at a later stage.
Application
If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via our website and upload a letter of motivation + Curriculum Vitae (in English) as one combined document. Please use your letter of motivation to indicate whether you have a preference in regard to the position's location.
The closing date for applications is July 20th, 2025, at 23:59h.
Please note that the application deadline specified above may be subject to extension at MSF-Netherland’s discretion.
Information
If you are interested in this post and would like additional information about the recruitment procedure, the terms and conditions or the organization, please contact recruiter Masha Petrovic ([email protected]).
