The overall objective of the position is strategy development and overall management and leadership of public health and medical programming in emergencies.
The Emergency Support Department (ESD) is part of the Operations department and plays a fundamental role in responding to humanitarian emergencies. The ESD conducts exploratory and assessment missions; initiates and manages large scale emergency interventions; supports emergency interventions managed by regular desks; provides support to the organisation and existing missions in promoting and guarding emergency response capacity; and supports the management of operations in highly insecure environments. The ESD consists of a headquarters-based Emergency Desk (Edesk) with 7 permanent staff and several associated advisors, and an Emergency Team for deployment in the field (currently 22 positions).
At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, disability status, and all other diversity characteristics.
The ESD is accepting open applications at any time for any position. Currently and with immediate effect, the ESD is particularly looking for:
Emergency Health Manager
Based in Amsterdam (NL)
The overall objective of the position is strategy development and overall management and leadership of public health and medical programming in emergencies. The Emergency Health Manager, formerly the Medical Emergency Manager, will be responsible for safeguarding and enhancing OCA’s organizational emergency response capacity. The postholder will initiate reflection, learning and development of relevant medical and public health topics especially related to emergency response and preparedness.
Position within the organisation
Reports hierarchically to the Head of the ESD
Works in tandem with the HoESD and Emergency Managers for countries management
Collaborates closely with the second Emergency Health Manager Collaborates closely with other OST members (logistics, WatSan, HR, finance, advocacy, comms, MSSOs etc)
Functionally manages the Medical Coordinators for each country
Functionally manages medical Emergency Team members
Leads country specific Medical Support Teams (MSTs) and other teams of relevant medical advisors to coordinate input to country health programs
Collaborates closely with the PHD
Functionally co-operates with the Medical Director (& Deps), Health Program Managers, Health Advisors, as well as Operational Managers, Heads of Missions, Medical coordinators, other portfolio OSTs, support departments (eg, supply/APU, HR, etc)
Job overview
You work in tandem with the Emergency Manager and HoESD to lead emergency response programmes (either within an existing country program as a stand-alone intervention or by managing the full country programming including any pre-existing non-emergency projects). You assume the operational management responsibilities of a country or emergency program, when required.
You define emergency intervention strategies, set priorities, monitor activities, provide strategic guidance and maintain strategic oversight.
You lead country specific Medical Support Teams and other teams of relevant specialist advisors to coordinate input to emergency response programs.
You collaborate with and provide specific guidance to OST members on emergency response and public health topics (in tandem with the HoESD or Emergency Manager). You lead OSTs when required.
You ensure that emergency response programmes address core humanitarian and health needs, in line with the OCA strategic plan and priorities. You safeguard MSF’s values, principles and policies.
You contribute to building and maintaining and capacity in the organization to ensure the ability to execute timely and effective emergency responses.
You develop and utilize systems to actively monitor and analyze potential emergency interventions globally, including situations of political unrest, conflict, natural disasters, displacement, food insecurity, outbreaks, etc.
You collaborate with other MSF sections and external actors for the coordination of emergency response interventions.
You foster collaboration with external actors to promote achievement towards objectives in emergency response.
You actively participate in health and other platforms within the MSF movement to share successes, challenges and dilemmas to leverage institutional knowledge and contribute to innovations in support of emergency programming.
You are expected to visit emergency programmes on short notice as required. You are expected, in certain periods, to work long and irregular hours.
Main accountabilities
Design, set-up and management of medical and public health (and sometimes operational) strategies for the countries or programs under the Emergency Support Department (ESD) – including control cycle documents, country strategies and ad hoc proposals.
Mentoring medical coordinators, Emergency Team members and other health related staff.
Leadership of Medical Support Teams (groups of specialist and advisors) to ensure coordinated support to health programmes
Monitoring and analysis of emergencies globally including political unrest, conflict, natural disasters, displacement, food insecurity, outbreaks, etc.
Contribution to a timely launch of emergency responses (and/or support) in accordance with the needs and complexity of situation
Contribution to emergency response strategies/policies within the organization as well as sharing of successes and challenges in organizational forums
Ensure quality of emergency response including defining medical-operational strategies, advocacy and communication strategies, developing policies, and ensuring compliance with values, principles and policies of MSF OCA
Oversight of quality assurance, patient safety objectives, conformance with medical ethical policies and standards in emergency programmes.
Oversight of medical budget lines for countries under ESD management
Work between departments (ESD, PHD, Operations, logistics, OSCAR) to make improvements to the organization's capability to prepare and respond to emergencies, including development and facilitation of training modules.
Innovation, research and advocacy initiatives to improve (health) programming in emergencies
Contribution to the strategies, policies and medical protocols of the organization, especially those related to emergencies and emergency responses
Responsible for ensuring that the medical component of OCA’s central emergency preparedness plan and central emergency stocks strategy is developed and maintained.
Support to MSF-NL/OCA fundraising and communication activities as required
Your Profile
Required
Registered medical/paramedical/public health professional. BSc / MSc in a PhD related domain;
Broad knowledge of medical and public health management, clinical governance, health information systems, medical ethical frameworks, medical supply management, security management, policy formulation, financial and human resource management, humanitarian response, emergency response, operations management;
Specific response experience – outbreaks, conflict, natural disasters, displacement, malnutrition;
8+ years' experience in humanitarian aid, plus senior management experience;
Proven ability to provide strong leadership, strategy and vision in program management;
Proven analytical skills in health programming;
Excellent communication and negotiation skills (oral and written);
Capable of coaching and managing people and programs at a distance (i.e. phone, email);
Knowledge and experience in the humanitarian world; commitment and passion for the goals and work of MSF;
Knowledge of MSF policies and procedures;
Demonstrated involvement in management of several emergency responses;
Ability to provide direct emergency support to field programs for up to 4 weeks at a time at short notice (i.e. 48hrs). Up to 40% of the time may be in the field. Willingness to travel to unstable and conflict settings;
Willingness to work irregular and long hours;
Based in Amsterdam, working from the MSF Amsterdam office. Remote working for short periods possible;
Flexible attitude, stress resistant; problem solving attitude and “can-do” mentality;
Fluency in English.
Either you are already based in The Netherlands or are willing to re-locate to The Netherlands
Preferred
Knowledge and experience in the field of epidemiology, and/or a relevant clinical specialty (e.g. tropical medicine, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, pediatrics);
Experience with MSF in an operational leadership role (head of mission/country manager, project coordinator);
French (and/or Arabic and/or Spanish)
We Offer
This is a structural role; we always start off with a one-year contract with the intention to renew based on performance
Salary grade 19 with a gross monthly salary between €5,863 and €8,072, the exact salary will depend on your relevant years of professional experience. (Based upon a 40-hour working week)
Other benefits include:
30 holidays
A premium free pension where MSF covers 100% of the monthly pension contribution
8% holiday allowance
A discounted contribution to collective healthcare if you choose to do so
Travel allowance for commuting to the office
Application
If you recognise 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 application deadline is Thursday November 21, 2024, at 23:59 CET.
Information
If you are interested in this post and would like additional information, please contact Will Turner (Head of Emergency Support Department) at will.turner@amsterdam.msf.org
For any question about the recruitment process please contact Masha Petrovic (Recruitment Specialist) at masa.petrovic@amsterdam.msf.org
***No agencies please***