IT Project Manager (SDE) At Médecins Sans Frontières

Inclusivity and Diversity at MSF

Do your qualifications and experience not exactly match all requirements of the job?

At MSF OCG, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification.

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.

Context & mission

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).

The MSF movement is built around 6 operational centres supported by multiple sections and offices worldwide. We are looking for an experimented IT Project Manager to join the core team and to lead the IT Stream of our Single Data Entry program.

A major challenge in the MSF Supply Chain is the complex medical stock management at mission levels, exacerbated by manual processes like handwritten records and data entry, which lead to inaccuracies and inefficiencies. These issues cause waste, delays, and hinder collaboration, reducing the supply chain’s responsiveness.

MSF is addressing these challenges by developing a mobile application with a service provider, featuring scanning and reading technology to automate data capture during critical stock management processes. This SDE solution will decrease manual data entry, enhance data accuracy, and improve inventory management. It will also facilitate better collaboration and decision-making across all MSF missions, supporting key activities such as order reception, picking, and inventory counting.

The IT Project Manager is pivotal in developing and implementing the SDE solution to meet high standards and integrate smoothly with existing systems and stock management tools. Responsible for the successful delivery of IT solutions supporting the SDE program, this role ensures both business, functional and technical requirements are efficiently met. The IT Project Manager will work closely with diverse stakeholders to develop and implement tailored solutions, ensuring these are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives. In this role, you will provide technical leadership within the SDE core team, manage the IT stream, and collaborate with technical experts from the four co-sponsoring Operational Centers (OCs) of the SDE program.

We are seeking an experienced IT Project Manager with a robust background in software development and a proven track record in leading mobile application projects. Join us at Médecins Sans Frontières and contribute your expertise!

Tasks & Responsibilities

The IT Project Manager will lead the IT stream of the Single Data Entry program across all phases, working in close collaboration with the Program Manager. She/he is responsible for collecting, analyzing, prioritizing, and validating feature requirements for the SDE tool, in partnership with the Product Owner and the Functional Lead. This includes translating both functional and technical requirements into effective functionalities within the SDE solution.

Project management

• Define the goals, plans, and team responsibilities for the IT stream. Direct daily operations, assess resource requirements, conduct quality reviews, and address issues related to functionality, quality, or timelines.
• Monitor key milestones in the SDE application development, adjusting plans and resources to align with stakeholder needs.
• Maintain close alignment with the SDE Program Manager, leading the IT stream working closely with business analysts, the architecture committee, application managers or IT focal points from the co-sponsoring OCs, IT support, and field focal points.
• Act as a change champion among business stakeholders and development teams, facilitating the translation of business needs into detailed development tasks. Propose change requests as needed.

Building Partnerships with Supplier(s)

• Support the ongoing management of the service provider selected for the SDE solution. Work closely with the SDE team to coordinate sourcing and provide IT technical oversight to ensure the service provider meets our strategic and operational requirements.
• Manage and cultivate relationships with suppliers, aiming for mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Collaborate with the core team to validate supplier deliveries, ensuring they meet project standards and requirements.

Documentation & Communication

• Generate IT stream documentation and integrate formal reporting mechanisms.
• Lead and facilitate discussions on IT technical and solution architecture with various MSF audiences, including the architecture committee and the ISM securing consensus on solutions.
• Engage with an inter-sectional architecture committee and key decision-makers to validate and approve the proposed architecture.
• Promote coherence and collaboration within the project team and across IT streams within the OCs.
• Develop training and onboarding materials as needed.

Stakeholder management

• Foster productive relationships with critical departments such as Supply Chain and Pharma, as well as with technology functions and IT departments across different OCs.
• Work closely with stakeholders to align product vision and requirements with business processes and needs.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels within the ISM and IT senior management and teams across different OCs.

Support & Maintenance

• Lead the identification and implementation of process improvement opportunities by refining requirements and scope and communicating project capabilities to business leaders and stakeholders.
• Implement quality assurance, release management, and user support structures.
• Coordinate with infrastructure and operations teams for solution implementation and commissioning.
• Oversee and engage in troubleshooting field queries, communicating improvement requests to vendors. Direct testing, deploying, and implementing field improvements.

Your profile

Education

• Tertiary degree in computer sciences, information systems, engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 5 years of successful IT project management, with hands-on experience in developing, deploying, and maintaining mobile applications.
• Comprehensive experience in managing teams and leading diverse technological initiatives.
• Broad technical proficiency across various roles, including developer, business analyst, technical lead, and project manager.
• Diverse experience with multiple technologies across various roles (developer, business analyst, technical lead, project manager).
• Familiarity with working in an international setting, with prior experience at MSF highly regarded.
• Expertise in medical stock management systems and leading digital transformation projects.
• Previous experience with MSF is valued.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of MSF Switzerland. Fluency in both English and French is required for this position (oral and written).

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Excellent comprehension of IT matters, including architecture, custom application solution development, organization, infrastructure, and technologies.
• Natural organizer with strong planning skills and the flexibility to adapt to emerging challenges.
• Proficient problem solver with robust analytical and synthesis abilities, focused on overcoming obstacles.
• Strong interpersonal skills, adept at facilitating collaboration to address issues and drive progress.
• Experienced in project management, with proficiency in Agile and Hybrid methodologies.
• Background in the Supply Chain sector is advantageous.

Personal Abilities/Qualities

• Proven leadership in directing project teams and engaging senior stakeholders within a complex organizational structure.
• Strong ability to foster trust and collaboration in a multicultural setting.
• Expert management of internal and external relationships, ensuring coordination and diplomatic influence.
• Outstanding communication skills, coupled with a results-oriented drive.
• High organizational skills, with the capacity to work autonomously and adapt to changing environments.
• Committed to the values of MSF

Terms of employment

• Part or Full-time position 80-100%
• Fixed-term contract, 18 months
• The position will be based in one of these OCs (Geneva, Paris, Barcelona, Brussels, Amsterdam)
• Ideal start date: January 6th, 2024
• Remuneration package: according to the duty station