Head of Emergency Support Department

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. 

 

MSF-OCA is looking for a 

 

 

Head of Emergency Support Department  

Based in Amsterdam 

 

 

Purpose 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 Operations Managers) 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 programs) 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 participate 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 create and maintain relevant internal and external networks required to optimize impact of ESD interventions. 

You participate 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  

Has at least 8 years of country programme experience in emergency (medical) aid in complex humanitarian contexts with MSF, and a strong senior management background; 

Is able to demonstrate strong proven skills in management and leadership and should be capable of directing and collaborating with people of various disciplines and cultural backgrounds over time and distance; 

Is 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; 

Takes initiatives and decisions and comes up with a vision based on his/her own judgment; 

Is capable of conceptual and analytical thinking and has proven skills to translate concepts into practice; 

Has good communication skills, including media and presentation skills  

Excellent command of English. Knowledge of French/Spanish/Arabic would be an advantage. 

Must be willing to work long and irregular hours and travel including at short notice. 

Has a good understanding of international humanitarian playing field/ structure/ actors/politics and good 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 6,368e and 8,768e. 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 process, please contact Masha Petrovic (Recruiter) at masa.petrovic@amsterdam.msf.org