Deputy Cell Manager in charge of Medicine (RCAM) (F/M) At Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association created in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in the event of armed conflicts, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or even exclusion of care.

The Deputy Unit Manager in charge of medicine proposes and manages the medico-operational strategy for projects in the countries for which the unit is responsible.

General context of cell 3 Médecins Sans Frontières – France: In May 2019, cell 3 of MSF France was relocated to Dakar, under the leadership of the general management and that of operations, in order to allow better intersection synergy, and allow also to get closer to mission countries in West Africa. Cell 3 MSF France manages the following portfolio: Mali, Niger, Burkina, Mauritania. The portfolio focuses on the West African medical-operational context, with management of the humanitarian challenges found there, including emergency responses.

So we search a Deputy Unit Manager in charge of Medicine (RCAM) (F/M)

MISSION

Under the hierarchical responsibility of the cell manager, and under the functional responsibility of one of the Deputy Medical Directors, General main activities of the job:

Contribute to the definition of the cell’s medico-operational strategies (regional and/or thematic):

• Participate in the writing and development of regional and/or thematic medico-operational strategies for the countries in the cell’s portfolio, in compliance with the main guidelines set out in the MSF OCP medico-operational strategic plan.
• Ensure the implementation of medical strategies and policies and be responsible for the coherence of the medical aspect of projects, taking into account field constraints and the recommendations of the medical department. o Responsible for analyzing the medical and health context of the different countries (actors, epidemiology, ministries, …) of the Unit’s portfolio in conjunction with Medical Coordinators (CoMeds)
• Provide support, supervise and evaluate medical coordinators o Advise and provide support to the various coordinators (heads of mission, project coordinator) and the cell team) on medical strategies, policies, protocols and tools.
• Ensure proper monitoring by the Heads of Mission of the mission’s medical issues.
• Involve the referents of the medical specialties concerned in all phases of the project, particularly from the design of activities and rely on their expertise.
• Propose/Develop and monitor the cell’s medical research projects and formulate epidemiological questions in connection with the EPICENTER focal point.
• Ensure compliance with medical ordering & supply procedures and has final responsibility for validation.

Monitor and carry out analysis of medical activities carried out in the cell’s countries:

• Validate the choice of project medical indicators and ensure analysis in conjunction with Comed and the Head of Mission; present these analyzes during cell meetings/operations meetings; supervise the development of an annual report on project medical activities
• Evaluate the results of activities, ensure reorientation and propose adjustments if necessary.
• Participate in the development and monitoring of the annual budget with the members of the unit.
• Ensure the implementation and dissemination of team health policy
• Guarantee compliance with procedures related to medical errors and their legal aspects (certificates, consent…)

Coordinate and make the link between the field, the cell and the medical department:

• Ensure the organization of work and the dissemination of information with the medical department’s referents according to the specific issues/questions of the projects.
• Ensure that the solutions chosen are properly implemented in the field.
• Request medical and operational management on projects that it deems priorities.

As a member of the cell team:

• Participate in the development of cell strategies.
• Be involved in cross-functional projects.

Represent and support the interests of MSF:

• Represent MSF within its scope
• Ensure the proper circulation of information and good coordination with all Actors (internal & external) within its scope.

Transmission of skills:

• Identify medical personnel with high potential
• Propose evaluations/capitalizations on the unit’s projects.
• Participate in the definition and delivery of training

Specific employment activities :

He/She supports the cell manager in the management and definition of medical projects for cell 3 missions: 4 missions (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), 8 projects including 2 currently being opened, 1 project of construction of medical infrastructure, 3 research or evaluation subjects.

He/She actively participates in the dynamic intersection within the medical platform of the Dakar office

Participation in the activities of the medical department:

• Participate in the implementation of the medical priorities and issues of the orientations of the MSF OCP strategic plan
• Participation in the definition of OCP medical policies
• Participate in the definition and delivery of training in the field, in regional headquarters and hubs.
• Identify medical personnel with high potential.
• Dissemination of institutional files
• Participate in medical department meetings

Dakar medical platform:

• Strengthen the intersection dynamic through participation in the animation of medical files common to the different Ocs
• Participates in the identification and management of regional medical-operational files in coordination with other CBs: Sickle cell disease, Malaria, Vaccination, pediatric care, response to epidemics…
• Identify and develop partnership opportunities with research structures in the sub-region.
• Identify support needs and plan in a coordinated manner, the deployment and visits of the different supports implemented (IS) on our projects
• Participate in regional health monitoring in close collaboration with epidemiologists from the Dakar office and external partners (WHO, UNICEF, etc…)

Support for cell missions – Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger:

• Provide the necessary support and supervision to medical coordinators through regular meetings, field visits or ad hoc points.
• Ensures land access to medical expertise related to projects.
• Provides support in medical-operational reflection, in the definition and writing of mission medical projects while maintaining consistency with the cell’s operational strategy
• Participates in the sizing of needs and the mission medical input supply strategy.
• Participates in the recruitment of mission medical executives and the identification of potential within missions
• Participates in the definition of medical-operational indicators to be monitored on the unit’s projects
• Participates in the statistical analysis of medical activities and their capitalization.

Staff health:

• In close coordination with the staff health unit (SHU), the medical coordinators of the missions and the medical management, he/she participates in the care of the teams in the field: health policies, care of staff on the missions, medical evacuation of international staff

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualification: Cell Manager Doctor, Significant experience as a Medical Coordinator (≥3 missions)

Training & Skills:

• Doctor of Medicine diploma or paramedical diploma;
• Good command of project management,
• Good command of managerial practices and team management,
• Good knowledge of MSF management and steering tools;
• Know how to define medical-operational strategies adapted to varied contexts;
• Good knowledge of the West Africa and Sahel region

Abilities:

• Availability, adaptability, responsiveness linked to the constraints of emergency interventions;
• Anticipation and planning qualities;
• Analysis and synthesis skills;
• Know how to work in a team, collaborative attitude;
• Sense of dialogue, quality of listening, ability to negotiate and represent MSF

Languages: Fluent French and English (C2)

Conditions: Full-time permanent contract, based in Dakar.

Taking up a position : June 2026.