Job Brief
You provide expert advice and support to the MSF OCA’s Emergency Support Desk, Operations and colleagues within the PHD on water, hygiene, sanitation and vector control (WatSan). You also initiate, implement, develop and improve operational policies.
MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.
We provide emergency medical assistance during armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases, and assist those who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based on need and when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization that remains impartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes 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, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they work together.
The Public Health Department (PHD) is responsible for providing strategic direction and integrated advice on medical and public health issues to the country programmes and headquarters. The PHD plays a key role in developing and maintaining the medical humanitarian identity and image of MSF-OCA, and in continuing to develop and improve intervention strategies so as to be relevant and effective.
The department is made up of a group of generalist Health Advisors (based in Amsterdam and Berlin) and medical and public health specialists (paediatrics, nutrition, water and sanitation, mental health, HIV/TB, etc.) who provide expert support in a range of fields. The Manson Unit, a medical unit based in MSF-UK, focuses mainly on support for tuberculosis and epidemiology.
With immediate effect, our Public Health department is looking for a:
Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Advisor (100%)
Supporting Emergency Operations
12 months
(Preferably) based in Amsterdam
Main objective
You provide expert advice and support to the MSF OCA’s Emergency Support Desk, Operations and colleagues within the PHD on water, hygiene, sanitation and vector control (WatSan). You also initiate, implement, develop and improve operational policies.
Key responsibilities
In this role you will be part of two teams: the team of four WatSan Advisors, the medical entomologist, and the IPC specialists who are part of the PHD and the Emergency Support Desk, which is a group of medical and non-medical experts who steer and oversee the emergencies and regular projects of MSF OCA.
We are looking for a public health or environmental engineer who can provide technical and strategic support to emergency projects, both from Amsterdam and through country programme visits. You will mentor WatSan staff in country programs. As this role supports the emergency support team, you will contribute to the assessment and/or intervention in emergencies as a WatSan Coordinator in the country programmes. This could mean last-minute travel and up to 40% of your time spent in the country programmes
You will provide expert oversight to enhance program quality, contributing to the development of strategies, resources, and tools like guidelines and standard operating procedures. You will also monitor programs through reports and country programme visits, recommending adjustments as needed. Additionally, you will offer technical advice and support to colleagues, develop staff training, and represent the WatSan and Public Health departments both internally and externally. Within your field, you will lead operational research, analyze data, and initiate innovation projects to align our strategies with other MSF sections and the wider sector.
Profile
Higher vocational education in Emergency Water and Sanitation, preferably Public Health or Environmental Health engineer;
Minimum 3 years country programme experience with MSF(preferred) or other INGO in coordinator position in the field of Emergency WatSan;
Flexibility to travel and support projects (up to 40% of the job will be spent on project visits);
Ability to provide emergency support to country programmes for up to 6 weeks at short notice (i.e. 48 hours) and work “hands-on” as WatSan Coordinator;
Knowledge of the humanitarian world; affinity with the principles and objectives of MSF’s work;
Strong mentoring skills with adequate training experience to design and provide internal and external courses.
Knowledge & experience in hydrogeology, water networks, faecal sludge management and solar energy are a benefit, as well as knowledge and experience with Bio-safety (Ebola, Covid 19, Cholera).
In times of emergencies, due to the nature of the job, office presence up to 100% might be required
Fluency (written and spoken) in English and preferably French; other languages are an added value;
Good team-player, flexible, ability to work independently and under pressure.
We offer
A 12-month Dutch employment contract based on 40 hours per week.
A gross monthly salary range between 4,665 and 6,422 euros depending on relevant work experience, based on a fulltime appointment (if based in the Netherlands).
Other benefits include:
30 days off (based on a full - time employment)
A premium free pension where MSF covers 100% of the monthly pension contribution
8% holiday allowance paid out with the salary in May
Discounted daily lunch at the office
Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & work from home allowance
An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world representing various cultures and background
Annual personal development budget
L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses
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.
The closing date for applications is September 21st 2025 at 23:59.
Please note the application deadline specified above may be subject to extension at MSF-Netherland’s discretion.
Selection will involve one interview round. Please note that only candidates that fully meet the requirements of the position will be taken into consideration.
Self-identifying women who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
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]).
For more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager Jean-Francois Fesselet ([email protected]).
***No agencies please***
