Head of Emergency Support Department

Leads MSF OCA emergency response strategy and implementation, overseeing emergency programmes, preparedness, security management, operational quality, learning and internal and external coordination for humanitarian crises.

Department: Emergency Support Department

• Manage and lead emergency response programmes within country programmes or stand-alone interventions
• Define intervention strategies and set emergency response priorities
• Oversee country operations from medical, security and humanitarian perspectives
• Provide strategic guidance to emergency coordinators and heads of mission
• Ensure emergency response security management balances risk and impact
• Maintain organisational emergency preparedness, stocks, staffing and financing
• Represent operations in working groups and platforms on emergency preparedness and response
• Develop internal and external networks to optimise emergency intervention impact

• At least eight years of country programme experience in emergency medical aid in complex humanitarian contexts with MSF
• Strong senior management background
• Proven management and leadership skills across disciplines, cultures and distance
• Experience with security management, policy formulation, financial management and human resources management
• Excellent command of English is required
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours and travel at short notice

• Mandated contract starts with three years and may be renewed for another three years
• Salary grade 20 with gross monthly salary between EUR 6,368 and EUR 8,768
• Benefits include 30 paid vacation days, pension scheme, holiday allowance, commuting allowance and work-from-home allowance
• Applicants must upload a motivation letter and CV in English as one combined document
• Closing date is 16 August 2026 at 23:59 CET