MSF Eastern Africa is looking for an Application Manager – Insights-2-Action Project
Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF EA, 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, through rigorous vetting processes, to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse do not join the organization.
For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as Low 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 Eastern Africa
MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.
Rationale/Objective for Position
This position is hosted at MSF Eastern Africa office in Nairobi, in support of the OCG-led Insights-to-Action (I2A) project.
Insights-to-Action (I2A) addresses a long-standing operational challenge: ensuring that recommendations issued by technical experts to country and project teams are systematically captured, prioritized, actioned, and tracked through to outcome. Following the Incubator Phase 1 stress-testing of a Jira-based Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with eSwatini, South Sudan and other early adopters, the project enters a second incubator phase (May 2026 – June 2027) with three concurrent objectives:
- Implement the existing Jira-based MVP in three to five OCG countries (one per Cell) for HQ-to-Country recommendations;
- Extend the MVP to support Coordination-to-Project workflows, with appropriate access segregation;
- Design and test functional prototypes for other operational directorates users to assess shared-platform feasibility ahead of a potential 2027 large-scale rollout.
The Application Manager – I2A is responsible for the configuration, maintenance, evolution, and end-user support of the I2A platform (Atlassian Jira, Power BI dashboards, SharePoint pages and supporting low-code components) across these implementations. Working closely with the I2A Project Manager and with Medical, Logistics, Operations, and IT counterparts in OCG (and possibly other operational directorates), the role ensures the platform is operationally ready, properly documented, and adopted by Country Teams, Cells, Advisors, IMS pre-departure cohorts, and HQ users (L&D specialists, Internal Auditors, Patient Safety Incidents referent, etc.). The role also contributes to the technical decisions that will inform whether and how I2A transitions into a large-scale or business-as-usual solution from 2027.
This position reports hierarchically and functionally to the I2A Project Manager.
Tasks & Responsibilities
- Are you skilled at managing Atlassian products?
- Can you analyze user-reported issues, propose effective solutions, and automate processes to optimize workflows?
- Can you lead the delivery of Jira Atlassian spaces rollouts, ensuring functional coverage, and timely completion?
- Do you thrive in coordinating communication and collaboration across stakeholders, across departments and enjoy working as part of a team?
- Are you capable of defining deployment plans, allocating resources, supervising efforts, and ensuring compliance with standards?
- Can you produce clear documentation and reports to ensure traceability and drive informed decision-making?
Application Lifecycle Management
- Manage the I2A platform (Jira-based MVP, Power BI dashboards, development of country specific SharePoint portals, supporting low-code components) through its lifecycle for the duration of the incubator phase, ensuring availability, performance, and quality.
- Configure and adapt Jira projects, workflows, custom fields, permissions, and access segregation rules across the three operational scopes: HQ-to-Country (OCG), Coordination-to-Project, HQ-to-HQ recommendations, and OCP/OCBA prototype tenants.
- Set up and maintain country-specific Jira environments for the selected implementation countries, including data migration of recommendations, visit reports, and Terms of Reference for Q3 and Q4 2026.
- Maintain Power BI dashboards and SharePoint portals used by Project Teams, Cells, and HQ stakeholders, ensuring data accuracy and refresh reliability.
- Contribute to the design and testing of the simplified alternative MVP mock-up if the analysis of deployment resistance triggers that decision gate in Q4 2026.
Support & Maintenance
- Provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 functional and technical support to end users (Country Teams, Heads of Mission, Coordinators, Project Teams, Flying / MIO / MST staff, Advisors, IMS cohorts, HQ referents), analysing reported incidents and proposing effective resolutions.
- Liaise with the relevant DSI teams at OCG for Tier 3 support, change implementation, and integration with broader MSF systems.
- Participate and Advise the Senior Project Manager on the relationship with Atlassian and any other external service providers, ensuring effective collaboration on configuration changes, license management, and technical issues.
- Propose and implement process or configuration improvements derived from problem-management findings.
Product Development & Release Management
- Collaborate with the Project Manager to assess and prioritize new features, improvements, and use cases (including HQ-to-HQ recommendations from audits and evaluations).
- Support the writing of requests for change (RFC), bug reports, and user stories enabling smooth feature development.
- Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT) scenarios and environments, engaging relevant stakeholders – with particular attention to high-volume departments such as Medical and Logistics.
- Support the organisation and delivery of releases according to defined quality criteria (functional coverage, budget, time).
- Automate role-based recommendations report for IMS onboarding, looking at best possible integration(s) as per OD’s ecosystem (Workday, Dynamics, SAP Success Factors, etc.).
Training, Documentation & Knowledge Sharing
- Develop and maintain documentation, FAQs, configuration guides, and on-demand support materials (“how-to” videos, practical user guides).
- Deliver targeted training and weekly Q&A sessions for users, including in-depth training of Insights-to-Action Country focal points (Information Management Champions and IS Officers) in implementation countries.
- Contribute to IMS pre-departure briefings for staff deploying to implementation countries.
- Build the capacity of country focal points to ensure sustained ownership beyond the incubator phase.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Multi-OD Coordination
- Act as liaison between the I2A Project Team and IT focal points across ODs, supporting the assessment of common workflows versus OD-specific governance, configuration, and constraints.
- Coordinate communication with all areas of the organisation impacted by the platform lifecycle, including missions, Cells, and HQ departments.
- Contribute to the feasibility and decision notes that will inform whether and how I2A transitions to a large-scale or BAU solution from 2027.
- Maintain consistent, transparent communication with stakeholders to provide updates, resolve issues, and ensure alignment.
Qualifications
Education
- Essential: Tertiary degree in computer sciences, information systems, engineering or related field
- Desired:
- ITIL 4 Foundation Certification.
- Project management certification (PMP, PMI, Hermès, …)
Experience
- Essential:
- Minimum 3–5 years of work experience in application management, configuration, deployment, and support.
- Demonstrated experience administering and configuring Atlassian Jira (workflows, custom fields, permission schemes, automations) at organisational scale.
- Experience in development (web, mobile), scripting (Python, shell, etc.), and data management (SQL, reporting tools).
- Desired:
- Experience supporting an application across its full lifecycle, from configuration and deployment through to end-user support and continuous improvement.
- Proficient in a wide range of technologies across various roles, including developer, technical lead, and test manager.
- Experience with Power BI (dashboard design, dataset management) and Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate) or other low-code solutions.
- Familiarity with agile principles, design-thinking methodologies, and User Acceptance Testing practices.
- Experience in an international environment is a plus
Languages
- Essential: Advanced level of English, both written and spoken
- Desired: Other MSF working language such as French / Arabic is a bonus.
Competencies
- Technical Competencies
- Solid understanding of IT concepts including SaaS application architecture, identity and access management, integrations, and IT service management.
- Proficiency in Atlassian Jira administration, including configuration, parameterisation, and lightweight scripting (e.g., JQL, automations, REST API).
- Ability to analyse and document business processes, workflows, and access models clearly and concisely.
- Understanding of data quality, data protection, and privacy principles relevant to operational data and recommendations follow-up.
- Awareness of the operational context in which MSF works (visits, recommendations, follow-up cycles) is an asset.
- Behavioral/General Competencies
- Open-mindedness
- Leadership
- Collaborative
- Rigorous
- Excellent ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, gender-responsive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Conditions and Benefits:
- Job Location: MSF Eastern Africa office in Nairobi (Kenya).
- Contract: 2 years contract.
- Start date: As Soon As Possible.
- Salary: An annual salary of EUR 27,145 at HQ Grade 8 based on a full-time appointment with an annual increment of 2% every year up to a maximum of 10 years.
- Work-life balance financial benefit; ranging between EUR 620 to 1,159/month based on individual & administrative status. This amount may be used to cover accommodation and utilities, transportation, etc.
- Other benefits include;
- Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave per year.
- Other Holidays: sick leave, circumstantial leave, maternity leave (21 weeks), paternity leave (4 weeks), own affairs days off, etc.
- Employer Pension contribution: 10% of basic salary:
- International insurance for both medical and disability**.**
- Relocation support; based on MSF EA terms/conditions.
- Work-life balance: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible.
- School fees benefits: for eligible dependents, based on individual & administrative status.
- Diverse team composition; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world.
- Career Development: MSF provides many learning resources (online learning resources, regular trainings – including language, Peer to peer learning.
- Mobility: You will have opportunities to travel abroad for work, meetings, trainings and workshops; giving you a chance to experience different cultures and broaden your professional network.
- Annual home leave ticket: To be taken once every year for both staff and eligible dependents back to their home country for vacation. Only applicable to non-Kenyans and based on individual & administrative status.
How to apply
- The vacancy closing date is: 12th June 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 directly via the vacancy link.
- Applicants are required to submit a single PDF document containing a Letter of Motivation and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) (in English). Please note that applications submitted without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered.
If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact recruitment@nairobi.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.
