Head of Logistics | MSF Ubuntu At Médecins Sans Frontières

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MSF Ubuntu is looking for a Head of Logistics

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF Ubuntu, we strive to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the need to increase access to professional opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. If you’re interested in this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.

Firmly committed to Safeguarding patients, community members, staff and all those in contact with the organization from all forms of abuse including Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), we will take all necessary steps to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse will not join the organization, enabled through rigorous vetting processes.

For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as Medium Risk and will be monitored with this in regard.

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

About MSF Ubuntu

MSF Ubuntu is the newest Operational Directorate (OD) of Médecins Sans Frontières, grounded in the principles of Ubuntu – “I am because we are”. With a base blended between the offices of MSF Southern Africa and MSF Eastern Africa and a strong emphasis on interdependence, interoperability, and maximizing sustainable outcomes, MSF Ubuntu seeks to add a new approach to the delivery of medical humanitarian action to the movement by placing communities at the heart of decision-making.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Logistics ensures that MSF Ubuntu has operationally sound, context‑adapted, and high‑quality logistics systems, and that missions receive appropriate logistics support, tools, and capacity building to operate safely, effectively, and in line with MSF Ubuntu values. This role provides strategic oversight, inter-OD alignment and coordination, and contextual adaptation of logistics systems, while relying on and working closely with OCB as the primary provider of logistics support. The role serves as the logistics focal point and operational reference within MSF Ubuntu, focusing on system coherence, implementation follow‑up, and continuous improvement, rather than direct technical delivery.

Reports to: Director of Logistics and Supply.

Department: MSF Ubuntu Logistics & Supply

Tasks & Responsibilities:

1. Logistics Systems, Information & Knowledge Management

  • Contribute to the development of operational logistics standards, guidance, and technical references, ensuring coherence with MSF frameworks, Ubuntu-OCB logistics & technical standards and Ubuntu strategic orientations.
  • Adapt and contextualize existing MSF global tools to MSF Ubuntu operational realities (energy, fleet, facilities, supply interfaces, …) in close collaboration with partner ODs to maintain coherence and collective system ownership.
  • Maintain a simple, centralized set of Ubuntu‑specific logistics tools and templates, ensuring they remain usable, mission‑adapted, and fully complementary to existing systems, and support coherent, light, and operationally driven reporting.
  • Identify system‑level logistics gaps or risks and ensure they are addressed with relevant stakeholders.
  • Promote and facilitate the capitalisation and systematic dissemination of logistics lessons and good practices, strengthening peer‑to‑peer learning and cross‑country knowledge sharing.

2. Technical Partnership and Inter‑OD Interface

  • Act as MSF Ubuntu’s technical and operational interface with other MSF Operational Directorates (ODs) on logistics matters, representing Ubuntu in relevant intersectional platforms and coordinating access to technical support and systems across the Movement.
  • Collaborate with partner ODs to maintain coherence between logistics support with other logistics‑related domains outside Ubuntu/OCB logistics partnership’s scope.
  • Facilitate two‑way technical exchange by bringing Ubuntu field realities, lessons learned, and locally rooted practices into inter‑OD technical discussions.
  • Support joint technical workstreams or pilots with partner ODs, as mandated by the Logistics & Supply Director.

3. Quality Assurance & Mission Support

  • Support missions in analysing logistics risks, gaps, and needed improvements.
  • Monitor adherence to essential standards (Log Basics, safety, maintenance).
  • Support logistics reviews, audits follow ups, and readiness assessments.

4. Knowledge & Information Management

  • Maintain a simple, centralised set of Ubuntu logistics templates & tools.
  • Ensure logistics reporting is coherent, light, and operationally useful.
  • Document lessons learned and good practices from missions for internal use and sharing with partners.

5. Localisation & Contextual Adaptation

  • Support context‑adapted planning.
  • Ensure logistics systems integrate local actors, technicians and markets.
  • Adapt organigrams and roles using the Ubuntu Log Org Design Guide (staffing guidance/ staffing model) in line with operational realities and project scale.
  • Promote context‑appropriate and sustainable logistics solutions that are compatible with local systems, capacities, and regulatory environments.

6. Logistics in Operations

  • Work closely with Medical, Supply, Fin/HR, ICT, Security and Ops to embed logistics as a core operational partner rather than a support function only.
  • Provide hands on operational logistics support where coordination structures are limited or still being built.
  • Contributes to defining and refining Ubuntu’s logistics operational model, grounded in field realities.
  • Ensure logistics delivers tangible added value to operations through pragmatic, timely support.
  • Support missions directly during start up, transition, and scale up phases.
  • Identify operational bottlenecks and gaps in logistics delivery and propose pragmatic adjustments to tools, processes, and ways of working.

7. Capacity Building

  • Identify and prioritize learning and development needs for LogCos, LTLs, technical staff, national logisticians, and relevant community‑based actors, in coordination with L&D, partner ODs, and intersectional platforms.
  • Provide briefings, coaching, and targeted support to LogCos and LTLs, strengthening leadership and technical capacity.
  • Liaise with L&D, partner ODs, and intersectional platforms to ensure the availability of practical learning tools and training opportunities for mission use.
  • Promote on‑the‑job learning, peer exchange, and use of existing MSF training platforms.
  • Support the development of national staff capacity pathways aligned with operational needs and local context.

8. Innovation & Continuous Improvement

  • Identify and support bottom‑up, field‑driven logistics improvements.
  • Integrate relevant local innovations into logistics practices and capitalize on lessons learned by sharing them within MSF Ubuntu and with partners where appropriate.
  • Promote simple, field-tested ways of improving workflows.
  • Identify and propose opportunities for further collaboration with other ODs.

Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Logistics, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in humanitarian logistics, including:
    • Field‑based logistics coordination roles in complex or insecure contexts
    • Technical support, advisory, or headquarters‑based logistics roles
    • Experience working across multiple missions or regions
  • Demonstrated experience in:
    • Designing and adapting logistics systems and tools
    • Supporting and coaching field logistics teams
    • Working in interdependent or matrix organisational settings
  • Strong MSF field logistics background, including participation in 3–5 missions, ideally in a Logistics Coordinator (LogCo) role.

Key Competencies

  • Technical & Systems Competencies
    • Solid technical knowledge across core logistics domains (fleet, energy, facilities, construction, supply interfaces, maintenance, safety)
    • Strong understanding of MSF logistics standards, Log Basics, and field operational realities
    • Strong logistics systems thinking and problem‑solving skills
    • Ability to translate global standards into practical, field‑adapted solutions
    • Quality assurance mindset, with attention to safety and compliance
    • Skilled in systems thinking, practice design, and simplification of tools
  • Collaboration & Interdependence
    • Strong ability to work collaboratively across departments and with other MSF Operational Directorates
    • Experience acting as a technical interface or connector between entities
    • Excellent cross‑cultural communication and collaboration skills
    • Respectful and constructive engagement with partners and stakeholders
  • Localisation & Capacity Building
    • Knowledge of localisation approaches, capacity‑building methodologies, and context‑adapted system design
    • Commitment to strengthening national staff capacity and leadership
    • Ability to integrate local actors, technicians, and markets into logistics systems
    • Coaching and facilitation skills
    • Experience in community‑based design is an asset
  • Behavioural/General Competencies
    • Alignment with MSF values and Ubuntu principles
    • Cross cultural awareness and security sensitivity
    • Strategic vision
    • Results and quality orientation
    • Service orientation
    • Planning and organising
    • Initiative and innovation
    • Teamwork and cooperation
    • People management and development
    • Networking and relationship building
    • Ability to work autonomously within a clear accountability framework
    • Pragmatic, flexible, and solution-oriented approach.

Languages:

  • Essential: Proficiency in English
  • French is a strong asset

Conditions and Benefits:

  • Location: Johannesburg or Nairobi (with frequent travel to field missions and partner platforms)
  • Contract: Full-time.
  • Position Grade/Level: 11 (Senior Management).
  • Starting Date: To be confirmed (aligned with Ubuntu operational rollout).
  • Travel: 20% to 50% a year (projects and inter-hub Programmes).
  • Salary and Benefits: Based on the compensation and benefits package in the MSF hosting entity (Eastern Africa / Southern Africa).
  • May be required to work extended hours during emergency operations

How to apply

  • The vacancy closing date is: 04th of May 2026.
  • This vacancy is open to Local and International Applicants.
  • By applying to this position, the applicant confirms they have read, understood and agreed to fully comply with MSF Charter and MSF Behavioral Commitments and Data Privacy Policy.
  • In line with MSF’s Safeguarding Principles, successful candidates undergo a rigorous vetting process that includes background checks and self-declaration.
  • If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply. BambooHR
  • Applicants are required to upload a Letter of Motivation and Curriculum Vitae (in English) as per prescribed formats. Applications missing the motivation letter will not be considered.If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact recruitment.team@joburg.msf.org
    before the vacancy closing date. Kindly use this email only for technical issues related to your application, for example, if you do not receive an automated response or encounter problems uploading documents. Applications sent directly to this email will not be considered.

Information

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF will not use your personal data in any other way, not foreseen for purposes of recruitment.

MSF is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any application/ recruitment fee.

Lately, MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual applying for MSF roles does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.