Rationale/Objective for Position
The Med Ops Cell Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing MSF Ubuntu’s operational vision by delivering high-quality, principled, accountable, and community-focused medical-humanitarian operations. Reporting directly to the MSF Ubuntu Director of Operations, this position is tasked with setting the strategic direction, ensuring operational oversight, and driving the performance of a designated portfolio encompassing countries, projects, or thematic operational priorities. The role guarantees that MSF Ubuntu’s operations remain rooted in the lived experiences of patients and communities, rapidly address pressing humanitarian crises, and uphold MSF’s core social mission of preserving lives, easing suffering, and safeguarding human dignity.
We are seeking a candidate to spearhead our strategic core initiatives, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational objectives. The ideal professional will drive high-impact projects, foster cross-functional collaboration, and implement data-driven solutions to enhance operational efficiency and growth. Responsibilities include developing and executing strategic plans, analyzing market trends, and optimizing resource allocation to maximize ROI. The role demands strong analytical skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to translate complex insights into actionable strategies. Candidates must possess a proven track record in strategic leadership, with experience in leading transformative initiatives and influencing executive decision-making. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field is required, and an MBA or advanced certification is preferred.
The Med Ops Cell Manager will assume a pivotal role in establishing MSF Ubuntu as a pioneering Operational Directorate, characterized by a unique operational identity that is locally grounded yet globally active. With a steadfast emphasis on patient-centered care, this position will champion community leadership, fostering interdependence with local communities, strategic partners, and the broader MSF network. The role will prioritize sustainable, long-term impact, ensuring that the initiatives undertaken deliver meaningful, lasting benefits beyond the conclusion of MSF’s direct involvement.
Ensures accountability for assigned tasks and maintains a proactive stance in positioning initiatives. Facilitates clear communication of objectives and fosters a collaborative environment to achieve strategic goals. Monitors progress and performance metrics to ensure alignment with organizational standards and deadlines. Actively seeks opportunities to enhance operational positioning and drive continuous improvement across teams.
This role will report directly to the Director of Operations for MSF Ubuntu, ensuring both hierarchical and functional alignment with the leadership team.
The Med Ops Cell Manager serves as a senior operational leader within MSF Ubuntu’s Operations Department, reporting directly to the Director of Operations.
Key Collaborations and Interactions
This role involves frequent engagement with various stakeholders, including cross-functional teams, senior leadership, external partners, and clients. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to foster productive relationships, align objectives, and ensure seamless project execution. The ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics while maintaining professionalism and clarity is critical to success in this position.
The position collaborates extensively with cross-functional teams, including leadership, project managers, and department heads, to ensure alignment and execution of organizational objectives. Additionally, the role interfaces with external stakeholders, such as clients, vendors, and industry partners, to facilitate communication and foster strategic relationships. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to bridge gaps between diverse groups and drive cohesive project outcomes.
Senior Program Leads, Project Managers, and in-country coordination units are responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring seamless collaboration across various operational frameworks to achieve targeted outcomes.
The organization encompasses a diverse range of operational and support functions, including medical services, logistics and supply chain management, human resources, financial oversight, advocacy initiatives, communications strategies, security protocols, analytical assessments, and community engagement efforts.
MSF Ubuntu leadership circles and platforms for operational decision-making are integral components of the organization.
Local stakeholders, including community organizations, advocacy groups, patient representatives, academic institutions, governmental bodies, and other pertinent entities, are essential collaborators.
MSF’s operational directorates, regional hubs, and international platforms collaborate to ensure cohesive and effective implementation of the organization’s mission.
Crafts and maintains comprehensive job descriptions, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives while accurately reflecting essential duties. Performs detailed analysis of roles to identify key competencies and required qualifications, integrating feedback from stakeholders to enhance precision. Oversees the documentation of position responsibilities, performance expectations, and career progression pathways within established frameworks. Collaborates with department leaders to validate role clarity and address evolving business needs, fostering consistency across job families. Monitors industry benchmarks and regulatory standards to ensure compliance and competitive positioning in talent acquisition strategies.
Responsibilities include managing and overseeing daily operations to ensure efficiency and productivity, developing and implementing strategic plans aligned with organizational goals, and coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones. Conducting performance evaluations, identifying areas for improvement, and providing constructive feedback to staff are also essential duties. Additionally, the role involves maintaining accurate financial records, analyzing budgets, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Fostering a collaborative work environment, resolving conflicts, and promoting employee engagement are key aspects of the position. Ultimately, the role demands strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving to drive organizational success.
Develop and execute strategic initiatives to drive operational excellence within the designated portfolio.
Drives the formulation, execution, and assessment of country-specific, regional, and thematic strategies aligned with the designated portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and stakeholder needs.
Embed community leadership principles and prioritize people-centric care approaches.
Ensures that community leadership and people-centric care are seamlessly integrated as fundamental operational principles and priorities.
Deliver operational excellence by maintaining stringent quality standards, ensuring relevance to strategic objectives, and upholding accountability throughout all processes.
Responsible for maintaining relevance, high quality, ethical standards, and accountability across all operations within the assigned portfolio.
Provide administrative and operational assistance to Program Directors, Project Coordinators, and country leadership teams to ensure workflow efficiency and alignment with strategic objectives.
Offers strategic oversight, mentorship, and assistance to senior field leadership personnel.
Oversee and direct the operational cell to ensure optimal performance and alignment with organizational objectives.
Overseeing a cross-functional operational team, the incumbent ensures the unit’s effectiveness, cohesion, and workplace environment.
Enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities to ensure swift and effective action during critical situations.
Maintains the critical role of emergency response as the core operational principle of MSF Ubuntu.
Responsible for managing security protocols, controlling access permissions, and mitigating potential risks to ensure organizational safety and compliance.
Ensures safety, security, and access management align with operational needs while adhering to MSF Ubuntu’s community acceptance-based approach.
Champion the organization’s mission through strategic advocacy initiatives, conduct in-depth analyses to inform decision-making, serve as a primary representative in stakeholder engagements, and cultivate a robust network of professional relationships to advance collaborative opportunities.
Ensures advocacy efforts and analytical processes are aligned with operational priorities and grounded in community realities.
Integrate communications and public positioning strategies seamlessly into all operational activities to enhance organizational visibility and stakeholder engagement.
Ensures communications and public statements uphold MSF Ubuntu’s dedication to voicing solidarity with patients and communities.
Foster diligent financial oversight and prudent management of organizational resources to uphold accountability and sustainability.
Responsible for the strategic planning, budget management, and optimal allocation of resources across the portfolio.
Foster operational collaboration and strengthen interdependence to drive cohesive teamwork and enhance overall efficiency within the organization.
Drives the implementation of interdependence across the portfolio, ensuring cohesive collaboration and alignment among all initiatives.
Facilitate continuous learning, foster reflective practices, and enhance knowledge management initiatives within the organization.
Serves as a collaborative and growth-focused member of the MSF Ubuntu Operational Directorate, contributing effectively to its mission.
Champion initiatives that foster environmental stewardship and integrate climate-conscious practices into daily operations.
Ensures operational activities incorporate considerations for both the health and humanitarian implications of the climate crisis and MSF Ubuntu’s environmental commitments.
The incumbent will be responsible for exercising decision-making authority over programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and operational requirements. This role will involve evaluating program proposals, allocating resources efficiently, and prioritizing initiatives to maximize impact. Additionally, the position demands a keen analytical mindset to assess risks, resolve conflicts, and make informed choices that drive program success. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential to engage stakeholders, secure buy-in, and facilitate smooth implementation.
Under the designated authority of the Director of Operations, the Med Ops Cell Manager is empowered to:
Develop and endorse country-specific strategies, multi-year plans, and significant operational modifications as deemed appropriate.
Provide guidance on initiating, expanding, scaling, modifying, suspending, transferring, or concluding interventions as necessary.
Review and endorse operational priorities, staffing proposals, budgetary determinations, and resource allocations to ensure they remain within pre-established limits.
Offer expert arbitration to resolve operational challenges, delineate security parameters, and align interdepartmental priorities.
Be prepared to assume interim leadership of crisis management processes across the portfolio, collaborating with the Director of Operations when necessary.
MSF Ubuntu is represented both internally and externally by individuals responsible for addressing operational matters as assigned.
Submit issues that necessitate approval or resolution from the Director of Operations, General Director, Council, or other personnel with critical incident decision-making authority.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required, and candidates with a Master’s degree will be given preference. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in software development, specializing in Java, Python, or C++, is essential. Proficiency in full-stack development, cloud computing platforms such as AWS or Azure, and database management systems like MySQL or MongoDB is mandatory. Strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record in leading technical teams are highly desirable. Candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design principles. Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and Agile methodologies is a significant advantage.
Education
A degree in medical, public health, humanitarian affairs, anthropology, political science, international relations, or operational management is mandatory. Holding a Master’s degree in any of these disciplines is highly advantageous.
Experience
Essential
A minimum of seven years of professional experience is required.
Extensive senior operational management experience within Médecins sans frontières (MSF) or a comparable medical humanitarian organization is essential.
Seeking a candidate with a proven track record in senior leadership roles such as Head of Mission, Country Director, Operations Manager, Emergency Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, or comparable program leadership positions.
Proven expertise in medical-humanitarian operations, emergency response protocols, security oversight, and adherence to humanitarian principles is essential.
Demonstrates a strong ability to create and refine operational strategies while ensuring their successful execution.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and provide strategic guidance to senior field leadership.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of financial, human resources, security, and operational planning principles and practices.
Proven capability to navigate intricate humanitarian, political, security, access, and ethical challenges with professional judgment and strategic acumen.
Demonstrates a strong dedication to prioritizing patient-centered care, maintaining accountability, ensuring safeguarding measures, and fostering inclusive leadership practices.
Fluent proficiency in both written and verbal English is essential.
Desirable
Seeking professionals with a proven track record in community engagement, designing community-led initiatives, or ensuring accountability to affected populations.
Candidates should possess a background in medicine, public health, humanitarian affairs, anthropology, political science, international relations, or operational management.
French, Swahili, Arabic, or other languages pertinent to MSF Ubuntu’s strategic objectives are required.
Demonstrated proficiency in advocacy efforts, analytical methodologies, negotiation of access, strategic public positioning, and advocacy led by community initiatives is required.
Seasoned professionals with a proven track record in establishing, transforming, or scaling operational entities are encouraged to apply. Candidates should demonstrate hands-on experience in driving the development and expansion of a new or existing organization, ensuring sustainable progress and operational excellence.
Proficiency in collaborating within interdependent or multipartner organizational frameworks is required.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
