Background

Médecins sans frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization (NGO) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases.

Main purpose

The Project Coordinator (PC) delegates ad hoc responsibilities to the Deputy Project Coordinator according to operational needs and objective criteria, while ensuring continuity and sustainability in the management of different dossiers. In general terms, the Deputy Project Coordinator supports the PC in defining project objectives and priorities by identifying the population’s health needs, analysing the context, risks and constraints, and estimating the human and financial resources required. He/she contributes, together with the PC, to the supervision, monitoring and follow-up of all project activities to ensure their efficient and smooth implementation and functioning. The Deputy Project Coordinator replaces the Project Coordinator in his/her absence.

Accountabilities

Among the DPCs accountability are:

• Contribute to the analysis of the political, humanitarian, economic and social context in the project area to ensure that MSF’s charter, policies and image are respected by national staff, local communities, authorities and partners.
• Support the Project Coordinator (PC) in the planning, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of all project activities in line with the project objectives, MSF operational policies and strategic priorities.
• Participate in project security management, including the regular review and update of security guidelines and procedures.
• Upon delegation from the PC, represent MSF at project level with local authorities, media, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and support the negotiation of collaboration agreements. Legal representation may only be delegated through formal authorization where applicable.
• Support the PC in the planning, organization and day-to-day management of project human resources, including staff induction, supervision, performance evaluation and identification of training and development needs.
• Participate in exploratory and assessment missions as requested by the PC to better understand the context, priorities, operational constraints and population needs.

MSF operates in a complex and unpredictable environment affected by insecurity linked to elements operating from Somalia. The project is in a remote area near the porus Somali border and provides services to both refugee and host communities. In this context, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the safe and effective management of project activities.

Context-specific accountabilities include:

• Monitoring and analysing contextual and security developments and supporting the implementation of appropriate safety and security measures for staff and operations.
• Maintaining regular engagement with local stakeholders, authorities and community representatives.
• Developing, maintaining and following up on key contacts and networks relevant to project implementation and acceptance.
• Ensuring adherence to MSF policies, protocols and operational standards.
• Promoting and safeguarding MSF’s principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality at all times.
• Acting as a liaison between MSF, local communities and beneficiaries to support acceptance and communication.
• Remaining flexible and responsive to operational needs that may arise outside regular working hours.
• Demonstrating a strong understanding of the context in North-Eastern Kenya, including local dynamics, clan structures and cultural practices.

Requirements

Education

Preferably a medical or paramedical qualification or university-level studies.

Experience

• Previous experience of at least two years in humanitarian aid with MSF or another international NGO.
• Working in developing countries and/or remote or hardship locations.
• Security management and context analysis in volatile or insecure environments.
• Stakeholder management and community engagement, including collaboration with local authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian actors.
• Supervision or manager experience.

Languages

English, Swahili and Somali

Knowledge

Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel and internet)

Competencies

• Strategic vision.
• Leadership.
• Representation.
• Networking with stakeholders.
• People Management.
• Planning and teamwork.

• Contribute to the analysis of the political, humanitarian, economic and social context in the project area to ensure that MSF’s charter, policies and image are respected by national staff, local communities, authorities and partners.
• Support the Project Coordinator (PC) in the planning, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of all project activities in line with the project objectives, MSF operational policies and strategic priorities.
• Participate in project security management, including the regular review and update of security guidelines and procedures.
• Upon delegation from the PC, represent MSF at project level with local authorities, media, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and support the negotiation of collaboration agreements. Legal representation may only be delegated through formal authorization where applicable.
• Support the PC in the planning, organization and day-to-day management of project human resources, including staff induction, supervision, performance evaluation and identification of training and development needs.
• Participate in exploratory and assessment missions as requested by the PC to better understand the context, priorities, operational constraints and population needs.
• Monitoring and analysing contextual and security developments and supporting the implementation of appropriate safety and security measures for staff and operations.
• Maintaining regular engagement with local stakeholders, authorities and community representatives.
• Developing, maintaining and following up on key contacts and networks relevant to project implementation and acceptance.
• Ensuring adherence to MSF policies, protocols and operational standards.
• Promoting and safeguarding MSF’s principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality at all times.
• Acting as a liaison between MSF, local communities and beneficiaries to support acceptance and communication.
• Remaining flexible and responsive to operational needs that may arise outside regular working hours.
• Demonstrating a strong understanding of the context in North-Eastern Kenya, including local dynamics, clan structures and cultural practices.

• Strategic vision.
• Leadership.
• Representation.
• Networking with stakeholders.
• People Management.
• Planning and teamwork.
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel and internet).

• Medical or paramedical qualification or university-level studies.
• Previous experience of at least two years in humanitarian aid with MSF or another international NGO.
• Working in developing countries and/or remote or hardship locations.
• Security management and context analysis in volatile or insecure environments.
• Stakeholder management and community engagement, including collaboration with local authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian actors.
• Supervision or manager experience.
• English, Swahili and Somali languages.
• Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel and internet).