Job Opportunities API


 The Emergency Support Department (ESD)   is part of the operations department and plays a key role in responding to humanitarian emergencies. The ESD conducts exploratory assessments; initiates and manages large scale or complex interventions to support people in precarious situations. The ESD provides support to existing country programs and the wider   organisation   to promote and improve emergency preparedness and response capacity .    The ESD consists of a headquarter based Emergency Desk (E Desk) of   Emergency (Health)   managers, an Operational Support Team (OST) of advisors and specialists, and an Emergency Team of approx. 2 5   country   programme   based medical and non-medical profiles. MSF-OCA   is looking for a Head of Emergency Support Department Based in Amsterdam P urpose   of   the   job You   are   responsible   for   the   defining   of   emergency   responses ( including   country   strategies   and   operations)   and   the   overall   management of their   implementation .   You   are   responsible   to   safeguard ,   promote   and   enhance   expertise   and   capacity   within   MSF OCA on   emergency   operations.   You   promote   and   initiate   critical   reflection   and   learning   within   and   outside   of OCA. Main   responsibilities Strategy & Leadership • You manage and lead emergency response   programmes either within an existing country   program (in collaboration with other O perations   M anager s) or as a   stand-alone intervention. You define intervention   strategies and set priorities. • You oversee the build-up of the country operations   from a medical, security management and   humanitarian aspect. You contribute to the vision and strategies on medical aid,   témoignage   and   humanitarian aid. • You provide strategic guidance and support to the   Emergency Coordinators/Heads of mission. • You ensure that security management is adapted to the situation in emergency response, effectively balancing   risk   and impact. You ensure that security incidents are   well managed , and you   initiate   the response to and advise on critical incidents. You may lead the response after consultation with the (dep) Director of Operations. • You lead with integrity, with full respect for MSF values, principles, and the Code of Conduct, and support your teams to do the same. You ensure that safeguarding standards are embedded in every aspect of program development and delivery, and that the Duty of Care and Solidarity Framework is applied." • You   contribute to sharing and improving coherence   across OC’s (including country program s )   regarding   execution and compliance with values,   principles   and policies. Management   & quality • You   monitor   and   identify   potential emergency   interventions through scanning and monitoring of   the world, with focus on conflict, outbreaks,   displacement, political unrest, natural disasters, etc. • You explore the need for MSF OCA to intervene and   initiate   assessments and responses. You ensure that   emergency response programmes address core   humanitarian and medical needs, in line with the   OCA strategic plan. • You ensure or contribute to the organisational   emergency preparedness for future emergencies,   including the healthy maintenance of organisational   emergency stocks, adequate staffing, financing, etc.   You oversee the development and facilitation of   specific trainings. Cooperation & networking • You   p articipate   in or lead OCA wide working groups and platforms as a representative of the Operations Department to contribute to continued improvement of the organisations and departments policies and processes, particularly for   emergency preparedness and response,   security management, humanitarian access and related. • You c reate   and   maintain   relevant internal and external networks   required   to optimize impact of ESD interventions. • You   p articipate   or lead   various organisational platforms and working groups (e.g. media, UN agencies,   donors, etc.) to   represent   the ESD or Operations as a whole. • You contribute to   wider development of MSF strategy through critical reflection and learning within and outside the   organisation .   You contribute proactively to promote a wider   debate   culture in MSF OCA . Candidate profile A candidate with   a   strong sense   of the MSF mission who • H as at least   8   years of   country programme   exp erience in emergency (medical) aid in complex humanitarian contexts with MS F,   and a   strong senior management background ; • Is   a ble to   demo nstrate   strong proven skills in management and le adership   and should be capable of directing   and collaborating with   people of various disciplines and cultural backgrounds over time and distance ; • I s required to   have gained experience with a range of issues and responsibilities within the respective organisation, such as security management, policy formulation, financial and human resource management. is result oriented and can act as a coach and inspire staff; • T akes initiatives and decisions and   comes up with   a vision based on his/her own judgment; • I s capable of conceptual and analytical thinking and has proven skills to translate concepts into practice ; • H as   g oo d   communi cation   skills, including   media and presentation skills • E xcellent command of English. Knowledge of French /Spanish/Arabic   would be an advantage. • M ust be willing to work long and irregular hours and travel including   at short   notice. • H as a good   understanding of international humanitarian playing   field/ structure/ actors/politics   and g ood understanding of MSF systems and structures and specifically of OCA is an added value. We offer • A   mandated contract, starting with 3 years, with a renewal   option   of another 3 years. • Salary grade 20 with a gross monthly salary between   6,368 e and   8,768 e. The exact salary will depend on relevant work experience • Other benefits include: • 30 paid vacation days annually pro-rata • A   competitive pension scheme • 8% holiday allowance, paid out with the salary once a year in May pro-rata • Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & work from home allowance • L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses • Discounted daily lunch at the office • An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world   representing   various cultures and background Information & application If you   recognise   yourself in this profile, we encourage 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   August 16, 2026, at 23:59 CET . Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply . If you are interested in this post and would like   additional   information about the recruitment proce ss , please   contact   Masha Petrovic   ( Recruiter ) at   [email protected]