Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator

CONTEXT 

As a principle, a Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator position in Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) is not permanently tied to a fixed country portfolio, as portfolio allocation within the Operations Department may evolve according to operational priorities and organisational needs.

The Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator belongs to the Operations Department and is responsible, together with the Operations Coordinator, for the medical vision, strategy and operational coherence of the programmes under their cell portfolio. The role requires strong capacity to support complex medical-operational environments, including medical strategy, quality of care, security-sensitive programming, access constraints, advocacy, outbreak response and strategic decision-making in collaboration with country teams, cell members and headquarters departments.

This position is based in Brussels. The expected future portfolio of the Brussels-based cell will mainly include Central Africa contexts, including DRC, CAR and Burundi, as well as Sierra Leone.

The selected candidate will join during an internal portfolio transition period. During this period, the Brussels-based cell may temporarily manage a mixed portfolio, with some countries from the current West Africa/Sahel portfolio and some countries from the incoming Central Africa portfolio. The Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator will therefore be expected to support continuity of medical and operational support across a changing portfolio, while ensuring clear medical accountability and structured handover with the relevant cell and country teams.

As Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator, your main roles are to be:

• Responsible for the medical strategy of the programmes in the cell portfolio, together with the Operations Coordinator

• The Deputy to the Operations Coordinator

• Guide and coach the Medical Coordinators in their responsibility to implement the projects through coaching and mentoring

Your responsibilities are not tied to any specific context or country and may evolve according to portfolio allocation.

As Deputy Medical Operations Coordinator, you manage the additional medical positions in the cell and organise/distribute the work between them, including the Medical Officer and the Epidemiology Advisor dedicated to the cell, according to the cell set-up.

You are hierarchically managed by the Operations Coordinator and functionally linked to the Deputy Medical Director in the Medical Department.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a strategic vision for each country under the lead of the Operations Coordinator (CO), together with the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator) and Medical Coordinators (Medco’s)

• Develop a medical vision for each country with the Medco's

• Responsible for the strategic choices and objectives of the projects, according to the Ops processes.

• Ensure the medical pertinence and adequacy of the projects with the Medco’s

• Take co-decision with the CO to make operational decisions congruent with the needs, the medical identity (prospects) & the medical policies 

• Replace the CO in his/her absence

• Choose the design teams and support teams as per the Operations (Ops) processes.

• Validate the final design of activities and resources as per the Ops processes

• Ensure the medical quality of the projects with the Medical Officer

• Support the Medical coordinators in their responsibility to implement and monitor the progress of the projects (coaching/mentoring) 

• Ensure the cost-awareness regarding medical choices 

• Interact with experts on strategy, pertinence, and adequacy as per the Ops processes.

• Balance the humanitarian drive in the Ops with the Medical approach

• Match the medical & political vision (theory) with the operational reality in the field (adaptability, feasibility) 

• Contribute to the development of medical policies and strategies by sharing context-specific experiences and by checking their field adequacy 

• Ensure that all countries have a pertinent medical advocacy agenda

• Promote the development of an Operational Research (OR) agenda together with Epidemiology Advisor, Medical Officer, and Medco's

• Communicate medical matters (regarding the projects) to the Communication department (COM dept) & occasionally to the media (medical advocacy) 

• Take on the operational role in some of the circles (working groups) within the medical department

• Participate to cell meetings, the Ops and the MedOps meeting and the medical department meeting

• During the initial phase of the assignment, support the structured handover and smooth medical transition of the portfolio, maintaining continuity of support to country teams and clarity on medical-operational accountability

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience 

• Medical degree in Medicine or nursing degree

• Minimum 7 years of international experience in different Operational contexts with MSF

• Minimum 5 years as Medical Coordinator or Medical Emergency Coordinator and/or Officer with MSF

• Degree in tropical medicine is a strong asset

• Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology is an asset

Competencies

• Excellent analytical & strategic vision

• Leadership (Able to set priorities, make choices, and assume decisions) 

• Teamwork and Cooperation (Team spirit) 

• Capacity to negotiate 

• Good communication skills

• Planning and Organizing (Management skills) 

• Strong intercultural Awareness

Languages

• Proficiency in French and English, both written and spoken is mandatory

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible 

• Location: Brussels (Belgium)

• Mobility: Minimum 4 project visits of 1 to 2 weeks per year

• Type of contract: Open-ended contract – Full-time 

• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ salary grid 

• Homeworking as per MSF policy

• Relocation package in accordance with MSF policy for non-Belgian residents

• Meal vouchers – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 23rd of August 2026

How to apply?

• Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button
• You will be directed to the online application form for this position
• It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter (in PDF format) ready to upload 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

This position is only open to candidates with previous experience with MSF. No MSF experience? Check out all our job offers 

MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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