Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association founded in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: primarily in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and even exclusion from healthcare.
The main objective of the Operations Department at the Paris Operational Center (OCP) is to improve the quality of MSF’s operational response by formulating, supervising, and ensuring the effective implementation of its humanitarian medical activities. The Department is composed of eight operational cells, cross-functional units, and project teams. As part of the establishment of its new “Migration” Unit, OCP is recruiting a Medical Manager (field-based).
Context:
OCP is developing a Migration Unit. This Unit will be composed of a Unit (headquarters), mission heads, and a Cross-functional Coordination (Field). Within the Cross-functional Coordination, the various Program Managers will be responsible for coordinating activities in their area of expertise for several missions engaged in a common field (migration).
Purpose of the migration unit
Following a discussion within the Operations Department regarding the specific nature of humanitarian projects for migrant populations, OCP decided to establish an operational unit dedicated to the European migration route. This unit aims to directly manage the programs in its portfolio (currently France and Libya), to support and encourage projects for populations on the move led by other OCP operational units, and, where appropriate, to support initiatives within the movement – similar to what is being done with MSF Waca projects in Senegal and Mauritania.
The cross-cutting issues in these countries relate to the nature of operations requiring the development of expertise that is not widely available at MSF (protection, legal, social), the legal and administrative complexity of the countries, and finally the burdensome nature of interventions aimed at populations that are particularly complex to help.
Specifically, the migration unit aims to:
- Developing knowledge and expertise in the field of Migration within MSF OCP
- Develop and ensure systematic multidisciplinary work in defining strategies and implementing operations and relief
- Ensure the inclusion of our projects in the aid and reception landscape, including participation in coordination, the establishment of support, collaborations and partnerships.
- Develop/build a mode of operation adapted to the organizational model of this unit by defining roles and responsibilities between the field teams and those at headquarters. The objective is to build a mode of operation adapted to the care of migrants, allowing the missions to assume responsibility for the operational implementation of projects autonomously, within the strategic framework.
In Libya and France (migration and exclusion), there are two main pillars of intervention:
1) Develop multidisciplinarity focused on migrants in difficult situations (on the streets, in detention, victims of trafficking and torture, mobile and excluded), who have needs that must be covered in a holistic manner: medical, protection, social and legal.
2) Contribute to the improvement of practices, or even, where appropriate, to a change in policy, through communications and advocacy actions, particularly for France concerning unaccompanied minors and in Libya in terms of access to protection and humanitarian evacuations.
In France , we have three projects:
- In Ile-de-France. Medical, psychological, social and legal support for young girls seeking recognition as minors (day care and accommodation); Mobile Clinic with a team of volunteers
- In Calais. Day center for unaccompanied minors offering respite and activities; mobile clinics for the general public (adults, families, minors), including mental health activities.
- In Marseille. Medical, psychological, social, and legal support for young boys seeking recognition as minors (inter-association day care and accommodation, which is scheduled to close), and support for squats.
In Libya , our operations have been suspended since the end of March, following a decision by a Libyan security agency. We terminated the contracts of Libyan personnel on June 7 and are working to restart our activities. As of March 27, our plans included:
- Two fixed bases, in Tripoli – shelter and follow-up of hospitalized patients – and Zwara – day care
- A presence at the landing sites of migrants intercepted in the Mediterranean
- Medical and orientation work in detention centers depending on the workspace
- The “Out of Libya” project aims to evacuate migrants from Libya to Italy and other third countries.
- Support for the national tuberculosis control program
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Medical Manager of the unit participates in the definition and implementation of the projects of the countries for which the unit is responsible and is responsible for their consistency and quality. He/she will supervise the medical activities of the Migration Unit’s missions while maintaining functional relations with the OCP medical department. He/she works in collaboration with the head of the Migration Unit, the heads of mission, the medical department, the other members of the unit, in particular with the protection manager and the mental health coordinator, the local authorities as well as all of our partners. As such, the position requires significant mobility in order to provide the necessary support to the project teams (at least 60% of time shared between the Unit’s programs).
If the Medical Manager within the Migration Unit follows the guidelines of the medical coordination and cell medical manager positions, he/she is part of the specific work of the Migration Unit, namely:
- Develop relevant and appropriate medical strategies to care for these populations, with particular attention to minors, women and victims of violence.
- Ensure the multidisciplinary nature of interventions (by encouraging complementarity between social, legal, psychological and medical activities)
- Emphasize a partnership approach designed to ensure complementarity between the expertise within MSF and that which we seek from outside – particularly within public health institutions
- Encourage the production of knowledge and scientific research based on our projects and activities.
- Participate in the design of medical innovation projects that can provide solutions to problems related to migration.
Responsibilities:
Operational support
Contribute to the definition of medical-operational projects and strategies of the countries of the Unit:
- Analyze the medical context of different countries and summarize the needs on the ground.
- Translate medical needs into proposals and monitor their progress; participate in the development/revision of medical-operational responses.
- Identify and participate in exploratory mission opportunities
- Involve the representatives of the relevant medical specialties in all phases of the project, particularly from the design stage of the activities.
- Be responsible for the consistency of the medical aspect of projects, taking into account field constraints and recommendations from the medical department.
- Provide medical expertise in defining the adequacy of resources and their monitoring.
- Ensure compliance with medical ordering & supply procedures with final responsibility for validation.
- Ensure that inventory management procedures are properly implemented, in conjunction with unit and project procurement managers.
- Develop and monitor the unit’s medical research projects.
- Participate in the promotion and coordination of medical communication in the countries of the Unit.
Coordinate the implementation of the Unit’s medical strategy and policies for projects:
- Advise and guide the various coordinators with whom he/she works (field coordinators and cell managers) on medical policies, protocols and tools.
- Ensure compliance with and monitoring of medical policies, processes, protocols and tools.
- Ensure the implementation and dissemination of the team health policy.
- Ensure compliance with procedures relating to medical errors and related to legal aspects of the medical field (certificates, consent, etc.).
- Ensure compliance with medical-OP strategic plans.
- Contribute to medical-operational arbitrations, taking into account the operations of the Medical Department and field constraints.
Coordinate and liaise between the field, the unit and the medical department and other OCs:
- Ensure a link with the medical department management team, in particular by regularly informing them of the evolution of medical activities, collaboration and support needs.
- Ensure the organization of work and the dissemination of information with the medical department representatives based on specific project issues/questions.
- Ensure that the solutions chosen are properly implemented on the ground.
- Ensure an exchange and sharing of experiences with other OCs dealing with migration to Europe or with other OCP cells.
Be responsible for monitoring and analyzing medical activities carried out in the unit’s countries:
- In collaboration with the medical department, validate the choice of medical indicators for projects.
- Ensure that statistics are reported from the field and analyzed.
- Work on the development and evolution of collection tools
- Share as appropriate with other departments.
- Evaluate the results of activities, ensure their reorientation and guarantee adjustments if necessary.
- Participate in the development of the budget and revisions.
Transmission of skills:
- Responsible for evaluating the medical team through regular reviews and identifying training needs, with a view to managing talent and improving the contribution of medical staff.
- Propose assessments/capitalizations on the unit’s projects.
- Participate in the definition and delivery of training in the field, in France or during international sessions.
- Provide medical briefings and debriefings.
- Participate in briefings and debriefings of other coordinators.
Profile sought:
Interest in migration issues and the health of migrants.
Experience :
- Medical doctor preferred.
- Significant field experience as a Medical Coordinator within a humanitarian medical organization is desirable. Experience working at headquarters as well as as a project coordinator are assets.
- Significant experience in supporting migrant populations is desirable.
- Knowledge of the French healthcare system is an asset.
SKILLS :
- Concepts in project management.
- Good computer skills (Office package, ability to make simple drawings, etc.)
Languages: Fluent French and English.
Job specifics:
Position based in any migration hub (currently Paris or Tunis). The final work location will depend on the candidate’s wishes, the unit’s requirements, and the employability of the selected candidate (residency, work permit, etc.).
Contract type : Full-time with a minimum 2-year commitment.
Gross Annual Salary: Salary policy will depend on the work location and may be aligned with local conditions. The work location will be discussed during interviews for shortlisted candidates.
At MSF, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive and accessible work environment. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply, regardless of their ethnic, national, or cultural background, age, gender, sexual orientation, beliefs, disability, or other aspects of their identity.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your application directly on our website Medical Manager – Migration Unit (M/F) | Doctors Without Borders  until August 10, 2025 inclusive .