Rationale/Objective for Position
The Med Ops Cell Manager plays a pivotal role in operationalizing MSF Ubuntu’s vision, ensuring medical-humanitarian operations are executed with excellence, integrity, and a strong community focus. Reporting directly to the MSF Ubuntu Director of Operations, this position is tasked with charting the strategic direction, overseeing operations, and driving performance across a designated portfolio of countries, projects, or key operational themes. The role is dedicated to embedding MSF Ubuntu’s operations in the direct realities of patients and communities, addressing pressing humanitarian challenges, and upholding MSF’s core mission to save lives, ease suffering, and safeguard human dignity.
The primary emphasis is on establishing and executing the strategic core initiatives that drive the organization’s long-term growth and competitive positioning. This role requires a deep understanding of market trends, industry dynamics, and business objectives to craft and implement innovative strategies. Key responsibilities include analyzing data, identifying opportunities, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve measurable outcomes. Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Experience in strategic planning, business development, or a related field is highly desirable.
The Med Ops Cell Manager will be instrumental in establishing MSF Ubuntu as a new Operational Directorate, characterized by a unique operational identity that is locally embedded yet globally active. Guided by a commitment to people-centered care, the role will prioritize community leadership and foster interdependence with local communities, partners, and the broader MSF movement. Additionally, the position will emphasize delivering sustainable, positive outcomes that extend beyond the scope of MSF’s direct interventions.
Ensure accountability and maintain strategic positioning as key responsibilities within this role.
The incumbent will report directly to the Director of Operations, MSF Ubuntu, both hierarchically and functionally.
The Med Ops Cell Manager serves as a senior operational leader within MSF Ubuntu’s Operations Department, reporting directly to the Director of Operations.
Crucial working relationships involve close collaboration with cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and operational goals. This role requires seamless interaction with departments such as marketing, sales, and product development, as well as regular engagement with clients, vendors, and regulatory bodies to maintain compliance and foster long-term partnerships. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential to navigate complex business dynamics and drive cohesive team performance.
The position collaborates extensively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, marketing, and customer support, to ensure seamless project execution and alignment with organizational objectives. Regular coordination is required with stakeholders to gather requirements, address concerns, and deliver solutions that meet business needs. Additionally, the role facilitates communication between departments to streamline processes and enhance overall efficiency.
Senior Program Managers, Project Coordinators, and in-country implementation teams are responsible for overseeing and executing strategic initiatives.
Medical, logistics, supply chain, human resources, financial management, advocacy, communications, security, analytical, and community engagement functions are all integral to this role.
MSF’s Ubuntu leadership initiatives and operational decision-making frameworks drive collaborative governance and strategic alignment across all levels.
Local stakeholders encompassing community organizations, patient advocates, civil society representatives, academic institutions, governmental bodies, and other pertinent entities.
Other operational directorates within MSF, regional hubs, and international platforms.
Crafted to ensure optimal performance and seamless integration within the team, your responsibilities will encompass a diverse range of duties aimed at maintaining efficiency and upholding high standards. You will be tasked with executing core functions that align with the organization’s strategic objectives, including but not limited to managing workflows, overseeing project milestones, and fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders. Additionally, your role will require meticulous attention to detail in monitoring progress, addressing challenges proactively, and delivering solutions that enhance productivity. Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt to evolving priorities will be essential to your success in this position.
Main Responsibilities
Develop and execute strategic initiatives to drive operational excellence across the designated portfolio.
Develops, implements, and evaluates country-specific, regional, and thematic strategies within the designated portfolio to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and priorities.
Embed community leadership principles into healthcare delivery while prioritizing patient-centered care. Foster collaborative partnerships with local stakeholders to enhance service accessibility and responsiveness. Champion inclusive practices that empower individuals and communities to actively participate in their health decisions. Ensure compassionate, empathetic interactions that uphold dignity and respect in every patient encounter. Drive initiatives that address social determinants of health and promote equitable access to care.
Ensures the seamless integration of community leadership and people-centered care as fundamental operational principles and primary priorities.
Deliver operations with a strong emphasis on quality, relevance, and accountability to maintain high standards and ensure consistent performance.
Responsible for maintaining the relevance, high quality, ethical standards, and accountability of all operations within the assigned portfolio.
Provide assistance to Program Heads, Project Coordinators, and regional leadership teams to facilitate effective project execution and strategic alignment.
Offers strategic oversight, mentorship, and assistance to senior field leadership personnel.
Directly oversee and administer the operational cell, ensuring its seamless functionality and efficiency. Provide strategic direction and maintain robust leadership to optimize team performance and achieve operational objectives. Implement and enforce policies, procedures, and best practices to uphold high standards of productivity, safety, and compliance. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
Overseeing a multidisciplinary operational unit, this role is accountable for driving its overall performance, maintaining cohesion among its members, and cultivating a positive and productive working environment.
Enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities to ensure swift, effective action during critical incidents.
Guarantees that emergency response remains a core aspect of MSF Ubuntu’s operational identity.
Responsible for directing security protocols, managing access controls, and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
Ensures safety, security, and access management protocols are aligned with operational demands while upholding MSF Ubuntu’s community acceptance-based methodology.
Advocate for the organization, conduct thorough analyses, serve as a representative, and cultivate strategic networks.
Ensures advocacy efforts and analytical processes align with key operational objectives and reflect the lived conditions of the communities served.
Integrate strategic communications and public positioning seamlessly into all operational processes to ensure cohesive messaging and alignment with organizational objectives.
Ensures our communications and public messaging consistently uphold MSF Ubuntu’s dedication to advocating in solidarity with patients and communities.
Ensure prudent financial oversight while maintaining responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
Responsible for strategic planning, budget management, and optimal resource allocation within the portfolio.
Foster operational collaboration and strengthen interdependent relationships to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Facilitates the implementation of interdependence principles throughout the entire portfolio to ensure cohesive collaboration and alignment of efforts.
Foster a culture of continuous learning, critical reflection, and the systematic exchange and preservation of organizational knowledge by designing and implementing engaging initiatives that encourage growth and innovation.
Serves MSF Ubuntu in the Operational Directorate, fostering a culture of humility and continuous learning.
Promote environmentally responsible practices and implement climate-conscious operational strategies to ensure sustainable business activities and minimize ecological impact.
Ensures that operational decisions account for the health and humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis, in addition to MSF Ubuntu’s environmental obligations.
The incumbent holds autonomy over program-related decisions, exercising judgment and authority to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and operational requirements.
Under the Director of Operations’ delegated authority, the Med Ops Cell Manager is authorized to:
To assess and endorse country-specific strategies, multi-year plans, and significant operational modifications.
Recommending the initiation, expansion, modification, temporary halt, transfer, or termination of interventions is required.
Review and endorse operational priorities, staffing proposals, budgetary decisions, and resource allocations in accordance with established parameters.
Offer strategic arbitration to resolve operational challenges, establish security benchmarks, and align interdepartmental priorities.
Prepared to assume temporary leadership of crisis management initiatives across the portfolio, collaborating closely with the Director of Operations when necessary.
You will serve as the official representative for MSF Ubuntu, both internally within the organization and externally in various contexts, handling operational matters as assigned.
Handle matters that necessitate the involvement of the Director of Operations, General Director, Council, or other critical incident decision-making authorities.
Qualifications
Education
A degree in medical, public health, humanitarian affairs, anthropology, political science, international relations, or operational management is essential, with a Master’s degree in one of these fields being highly desirable.
Experience
Essential
A minimum of seven years of professional experience is required.
With a proven track record in senior operational management roles within Médecins sans frontières (MSF) or comparable medical humanitarian organizations, the ideal candidate will bring extensive leadership experience to the position.
Senior candidates must possess extensive experience in senior program leadership positions, such as Head of Mission, Country Director, Operations Manager, Emergency Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, or comparable roles.
A comprehensive grasp of medical-humanitarian operations, emergency response protocols, security management strategies, and adherence to humanitarian principles is essential.
A demonstrated ability to craft operational strategies and successfully execute them is essential.
Demonstrates a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and providing strategic support to key field leadership personnel.
Demonstrates advanced proficiency in financial management, human resources strategies, security protocols, and operational planning frameworks.
Proven capability to navigate and resolve intricate humanitarian, political, security, access, and ethical challenges is essential.
Demonstrates a steadfast dedication to prioritizing person-centered care, upholding accountability, ensuring robust safeguarding measures, and fostering inclusive leadership practices.
Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential.
Desirable
Skilled in fostering community involvement, designing programs driven by community input, or ensuring accountability to impacted populations.
A background in medical, public health, humanitarian affairs, anthropology, political science, international relations, or operational management is preferred.
Proficient fluency in French, Swahili, Arabic, or languages pertinent to MSF Ubuntu’s strategic objectives is required.
Skilled in advocacy, analysis, negotiation of access, public positioning, or community-led initiatives.
Demonstrated involvement in the establishment, restructuring, or sustained expansion of a business operation is required.
Proven track record collaborating within interdependent or multipartner organizational structures.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
