General Coordinator (head of Mission) (F/M) – Pakistan At Médecins du Monde

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde (MdM), a campaigning medical organisation committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations here and abroad. It has continued to bear witness to obstacles that exist in accessing healthcare and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations.

MdM France currently works in 30 countries across all continents to facilitate access to healthcare through 6 political battles:

  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
  • Migration, Exile, Human Rights and Health
  • Harm Reduction
  • Environment and Health
  • Humanitarian Space
  • Healthcare systems and rights

MdM in Pakistan

MdM France has been operating in Pakistan since 1996, mainly in Punjab and KPK provinces. In Punjab, over the past 30 years, MdM has been implementing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) including family planning and gender based violence projects. Present since 2009 in KP, MdM has been working with the Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons providing essential primary healthcare services including mental health and psychological support. In KP, across the course of the years, we have covered many districts and have built strong acceptance among the local communities and authorities. We have also responded to multiples emergencies including the 2022 and 2025 floods.

For the 2027–2029 period, MdM will continue to focus on advancing on SRHR as the central pillar of all programming in Pakistan. All interventions will be firmly grounded in a comprehensive, integrated, and rights-based SRHR strategy with particular focus on access to family planning services and cervical cancer awareness and screening. Developing specific initiatives focused on cervical cancer would be critical to the mission. Additionally, MdM is monitoring the situation related to humanitarian needs of Afghan refugees in KP and will intend to develop new actions to ensure humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable.

Currently the mission has a portfolio of around 500K€/year, with 20 staffs and 2 offices (coordination in Islamabad and one field office in Mardan/KP). A variety of institutional donors used to support the mission, but the funding environment is currently shrinking, and MdM is covering the mission with core funds. One of the main stakes of 2027 will be to secure new institutional fundings and ensure sustainability of MdM in the country.

About the role

As general coordinator, you will supervise the proper implementation of MdM strategy and operations in the country.

One of your main responsibilities is to drive a strategic restructuring of the Pakistan mission, ensuring the transition to a strengthened and autonomous national team.

What you’ll do

Under the supervision of the desk manager, you are responsible for the overall management of the Pakistan mission.

Your main responsibilities are the following:

  • Recruit, manage, train and motivate the mission’s team
  • Define the operational and advocacy strategy together with the coordination team, the desk manager and the volunteer board delegates of the mission
  • Plan and monitor activities, implement corrective action when necessary, providing technical support to the team
  • Represent MdM with authorities, local actors, partners, donors and the media
  • Monitor partnership agreements with partners, authorities and donors, seek out and develop new partnerships, and ensure or supervise fundraising
  • Ensure the financial coverage of the mission by leading fundraising and budget management
  • Draft, adapt and monitor safety regulations and procedures and coordinate crisis management in the region
  • Implement and monitor the application of MdM’s programmatic and support services framework, policies and procedures
  • Supervise reporting to MdM and donors

Who you’ll work with

You will report directly to the Desk Manager based at HQ.

As General Coordinator, you will be the head of the country coordination team and you will manage directly a team composed of: Deputy Coordinator programs, Deputy Coordinator in charge of support services, Medical Advisor, Humanitarian Access and Risks Advisor and Field Coordinator/KP.

REQUIREMENTS

You are the right match if you:

  • Have 5+ years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, including coordination and expatriate roles
  • Have led teams and operations in complex or insecure environments
  • Are confident representing an organisation with donors, authorities and humanitarian actors
  • Can negotiate effectively, manage risks and oversee security matters
  • Bring strong strategic thinking and sound operational judgment
  • Have experience with programme, budget and support function management, ideally in health and SRHR
  • Enjoy coaching teams, building capacity and developing talent
  • Communicate with diplomacy, adapt quickly and lead through uncertainty
  • Are comfortable with Microsoft Office and mapping tools
  • Are fluent in English

This role may not suit you if you…

  • Prefer stable environments with limited operational or security challenges
  • Are uncomfortable making difficult decisions, negotiating or representing an organisation externally
  • Prefer specialist or technical roles over broad leadership and management responsibilities
  • Are not aligned with MdM’s values

Recruitment process

If shortlisted, you will first meet with our HR team. Technical and managerial interviews, which may include practical case studies, will follow.

Please note: as part of our anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism policy, international background checks may be conducted. Data is processed confidentially and securely. More info: https://www.medecinsdumonde.org/en/working-internationally/
All successful candidates must provide a criminal record extract (B3).

Ready to apply?

We only need your CV and a cover letter.
If this role sounds like the right fit for you, apply now – we’d love to hear from you!

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Contract & status:

  • Gross monthly salary: 3 664 €
  • Fixed-term contract of 6 months starting on January 2027
  • Single posting

Work environment:

  • Position based in Islamabad with frequent travels to field locations (office in Mardan/KP)

Benefits:

  • 13th month salary (paid in 2 installments after 6 months of service)
  • Expatriation allowance: 10% of gross monthly salary
  • Coverage of travel (home – mission), visas, and vaccinations
  • Individual guesthouse
  • Health insurance (50% covered by MdM and 50% by the employee)
  • Repatriation insurance
  • MdM promotes training and internal mobility

Essentials:

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

MdM is committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities and to fighting all forms of discrimination.
If you are officially recognized as a person with a disability and/or require workplace accommodations, please let us know.

How to apply

To apply, click on the following link: https://apply.workable.com/medecins-du-monde/j/A918645426