OCA Emergency Team - Medical Coordinator/Deputy Medical Coordinator

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. 25 country programme based medical and non-medical profiles.   

 

The ESD is accepting open applications at any time for any position. With immediate effect, the ESD is particularly looking for:  

OCA Emergency Team 

Medical Coordinator / Deputy Medical Coordinator 

Targeted at French speaking candidates 

Emergency Team members spend about 90% of their workdays (excluding holidays) in country programme locations and approximately 10% at headquarters (or work from home) for briefing/debriefing/trainings/’desk work’.  

  

Position in the organisation  

 

Overall: reports to an Emergency Health Manager in Amsterdam.  

During country programme assignments when working as Deputy / Medical Coordinator, reports hierarchically to relevant Country Management Team (CMT) member at the capital level, Head of Mission (HoM) / Emergency Coordinator (EmCo) and functionally to the Emergency Health Manager in Amsterdam. 

 

Main objectives 

Provide emergency response capacity in country programmes 

Contribute to advising and emergency interventions in existing OCA country programmes 

Carry out exploratory assessments and the start-up of new interventions 

Function as the medical responsible (MedCo, dep Medco, MTL) in an emergency response 

Contribute to the development of an overall intervention strategy in medical humanitarian emergencies. 

Defining, monitoring and updating the medical components of an intervention strategy, annual plan and budget, translating the identified health needs into a medical strategic vision and project objectives, priorities and resources needed in order to cover the medical and humanitarian needs of the population at risk.  

In close collaboration with the HR team, participating in the planning, definition and sizing of the medical team in the project and supervising the associated processes (recruitment, validation of medical staff, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication).  

Coaching and directly supporting medical teams in the implementation of medical activities. 

Supervises an efficient management of the MSF pharmacy and medical equipment, in collaboration with the logistics department and project biomedical service and in consideration of programme directions and protocol changes. Monitors consumption and preparation of medical orders. 

Ensures feedback is given regarding achievement of project medical objectives in form of weekly/biweekly sitreps, monthly medical reports.  

Contributes to the development and implementation of training programs for staff, supports human resource development for medical team under supervision including timely performance appraisals. 

Represents MSF before local medical authorities and keeping regular contact with other counterparts in the country programme (NGOs, local organizations, donors, authorities) in order to broaden the medical-humanitarian situation analysis, strengthening the impact of the medical intervention and supporting advocacy actions to raise humanitarian awareness 

Acts as staff health responsible on country level. 

In all interventions, work with the medical team to ensure person-centered approaches that are adapted to context, culture, and the realities of affected populations. 

Contributes as a member of the OCA Emergency Team 

Candidate profile 

Essential: 

Medical doctor or paramedical degree. 

Indicative 24-month country programme experience with one of the MSF sections in at least three different contexts/countries, of which at least one emergency project/ high security setting. 

Knowledge of Emergency Public Health, Rapid Assessment, and Health Surveillance. 

Proven organizational skills, diplomatic skills and experience with the representation of MSF. 

Experience with two or more of the following emergency responses: cholera outbreak, VHF, meningitis or measles outbreak, mass vaccination, nutritional crisis, war wounded response. 

Strong people's management skills. 

Fluency in English and French. 

Knowledge of standard software within MSF-OCA (word/excel/outlook express) and knowledge and experience using OCA standard data tools (DHIS2). 

Proven flexibility and solution-oriented mentality. 

Ability to work independently and be decisive in chaotic circumstances. 

Positive, can-do attitude. Able to motivate a team, focus on the achievements and does not get discouraged by the barriers to success. 

Willingness to travel to any required area, frequently at short notice. 

Able to work in teams and under stressful conditions. 

 

Desirable: 

Proficiency in Arabic, or Spanish. 

Background in highly insecure contexts. 

We offer 

A full-time appointment for 1 year with the intention to renew based on performance 

Salary depends on three main factors: domicile, level of responsibility, and experience on the job. Candidate’s domicile determines which MSF section will act as employer; 

45 holidays per year 

Completion bonus of 1.5 month of extra salary after completion of every 12 months commitment 

Return travel costs to place of domicile between assignments 

Prioritization for trainings in MSF (external trainings additionally considered) 

A challenging position within a stimulating, professional working environment in a major international organization – plus great colleagues to work alongside! 

 

Application 

 

If you recognize yourself in the profile, please apply directly by clicking on the 'apply' button. Please upload a letter of motivation and Curriculum Vitae as one combined document.   

The application deadline is August 30, 2026, at 23:59 CET. 

Please note that only candidates that meet the requirements of the position will be taken into consideration. 

  

Information 

Additional information about the vacancy can be requested from Dr Ali Almohammed, Emergency Health Manager, Ali.Almohammed@amsterdam.msf.org 

 For any question about the recruitment process please contact Masha Petrovic (Recruitment Specialist) at masa.petrovic@amsterdam.msf.org