Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian medical association created in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or exclusion from care.
Mission France is seeking a Medical Project Coordinator for the North Coast.
CONTEXT :
MSF’s France Mission provides assistance to migrants in situations of great social, medical and/or psychological vulnerability in France and conducts advocacy work to facilitate their access to common law.
Since December 2017, Mission France has been providing assistance to migrants.
It provides medical, psychological, legal and social support to people excluded from healthcare and advocates for access to care for vulnerable foreign people, particularly women living in camps in the Dunkirk area.
Mission France currently has three projects:
– In the Île-de-France region. The project has been running since December 2017. Initially focused on providing medical, psychological, social, and legal support to unaccompanied minors undergoing appeals (day care and accommodation), it has evolved significantly by specializing in young women seeking recognition of their minority status. This is complemented by a mobile clinic run by a team of volunteers.
– In Calais and along the North Coast. Opening in summer 2023. Day center for unaccompanied minors offering respite and activities; mobile clinics for the general public (adults, families, minors), including mental health services. Seasonal activities complement these, with coastal outreach programs from spring to autumn for displaced persons rescued from shipwrecks, and in winter, emergency shelter for the most vulnerable.
– In Marseille. Medical, psychological, social and legal support for young boys seeking recognition of their minority (inter-association day care and accommodation), logistical and financial support for squats.
– In Dunkirk. The project aims to meet the growing needs of exiled women, girls, and families living in extremely precarious conditions on the Dunkirk coastline. In close partnership with the Refugee Women’s Centre, it focuses on providing medical care for women (gynecology, pregnancy monitoring, sexual and reproductive health), mental health support, emergency shelter for single women, strengthening the detection and management of sexual violence, as well as a documentation and advocacy component on violence and the lack of essential services in the area.
The communication and advocacy aspect is central to this mission, which takes place in a country that has the means to welcome people with dignity but willfully neglects migrant populations.
MAIN MISSION
RESPONSIBILITIES
- In collaboration with the project coordinator and the rest of the team, the medical coordinator, and partners from the Ministry of Health, define and implement medical activities in accordance with the project plan, MSF standards and protocols , and monitor these activities. This involves:
- To ensure the collection of medical data, its analysis and its communication to the medical coordination of the capital, in order to guarantee the adequate monitoring of the program;
- To participate in the development of project policy, the annual plan, the project proposal and reports to donors, as well as in the review of the budget;
- To participate in exploratory missions and field assessments, in order to define medical priorities and therefore the operations to be carried out if necessary; and
- To ensure regular contact with the Ministry of Health and other local stakeholders in the medical field.
- Monitor activities across various medical disciplines and provide technical support to medical staff in the field, drawing on your own knowledge and relevant regulations, to support MSF ‘s medical work in the field. This includes monitoring and ensuring compliance with MSF medical protocols .
- Coordinate, supervise and coach members of the medical team to support their performance in order to strengthen the medical component of the project and ensure compliance with MSF protocols and standards as well as the protocols of the Ministry of Health.
- Plan and supervise, in close coordination with the project coordinator, the management of the project’s medical staff (recruitment, training, induction, performance evaluation, development and internal/external communication) in order to ensure adequate resources (staff and knowledge) and develop their skills.
- Oversee the efficient management of MSF’s pharmacy and medical supplies in the field, in conjunction with the project’s logistics and biomedical departments, taking into account program guidelines and protocol changes. Monitor consumption and prepare medical orders to ensure the supply of medications, medical supplies, and medical devices, including consumables and associated spare parts, to prevent stockouts and dispense the required medications under all circumstances.
- Apply the hygiene and safety policy for international and national staff, and put in place all necessary prophylactic and preventive measures as well as emergency response structures and plans, in order to manage any medical evacuation and protect the health of MSF staff .
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FRANCE MISSION
Currently, MSF operates a project in Calais, open since 2023, which provides primary healthcare, mental health care, and social support to migrants in transit in Calais and along the coast following shipwrecks. It also has a project in Dunkirk, launched a month ago, providing multidisciplinary care to women in transit in the Dunkirk area, in partnership with the Refugee Women’s Center. MSF’s strategy on the northern coast needs to be revised with a multidisciplinary approach specific to migration projects in Europe.
To support this strategic overhaul, it is proposed to phase the position in two stages:
Initially, the specific responsibilities of the position will be as follows:
- To formalize a map of the health services and needs on the ground for people in exile who are transiting through the northern coast of France
- Establish a strategy to address health needs, in collaboration with the project coordinators in Calais and Dunkirk.
- Based on this strategy, propose the appropriate resource allocation changes (HR/Finance/Logistics)
Based on this strategy, propose a list of protocols in line with MSF guidelines to support a quality deployment of activities.
At the end of this first phase, the specific responsibilities of the position will be as follows:
Strategy and coordination
- Ensure the monitoring and regular reassessment of the new project strategy, in light of changes in context and evolving field needs.
- Participate in the coordination of MSF operations with its local partner associations, alongside the project coordinators.
Implementation and monitoring of medical and operational activities on the North Coast
- Ensure the planning, implementation and monitoring of MSF services on the Northern Coast, including adapted primary health care, mental health care and protection care.
- Oversee the planning, implementation and monitoring of the operational team and associated budgets, ensuring relevance, quality and cost control.
- Promote multidisciplinary management of complex medical, psychosocial and protection cases, including prioritizing needs and identifying the limits of care.
- Ensure patient consent for the sharing of information in their interest, while respecting data protection and confidentiality standards.
- Supporting teams in managing sensitive cases, in coordination with the project coordinator, the medical officer, the mental health officer and the protection officer.
- Establish specific pathways for victims of sexual violence and safe abortion care, including clear standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- In collaboration with medical, mental health and protection officials, ensure the creation, where applicable, and application of MSF protocols and standards
- Ensure that planned activities take into account safeguarding requirements, allow for the safe care of assisted persons, and that beneficiaries and staff can report any type of abuse to the project coordinator.
Team supervision and human resources management
- Supervise middle managers of projects on the North Coast – organization to be defined according to the operational strategy established
- Ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities for team members under their supervision; regular supervision and feedback; performance management and reviews of team members under their supervision
- Identify training needs and support staff development in the integration of medical protection.
- Promote a collaborative and respectful work environment by addressing conflicts quickly.
- Support the recruitment, integration and training of new staff members in coordination with HR.
Tracking, data and reports
- In collaboration with the Programme and MEAL coordinator and the project coordinators, define activity indicators and ensure regular monitoring.
- Analyze monthly, quarterly and annual activity data to identify trends and propose corrective measures.
- Contribute to situation reports, statistical reports and narrative reports, by reporting critical issues to the project coordinator.
- Supporting the establishment of a multidisciplinary database by ensuring appropriate access rules and confidentiality.
Advocacy and communication
- Monitor trends and changes in the humanitarian context among MSF patients.
- Identify and share points that may be the subject of communication/advocacy action with the project coordinator and technical coordinators.
- Represent MSF alongside project coordinators at institutional meetings and advocacy actions with authorities and public health services.
- Speaking in the media, in coordination with the advocacy & communications manager of Mission France.
Administration, finance and logistics
- Participate in the planning of the activity budget and control expenses.
- Ensure that funding requests are made in a timely manner and that resources are used wisely.
- Coordinate with the logistics, supply, and IT departments to ensure the smooth operation of the premises and support systems.
Context, security and risk management
- Collaborate with the project coordinator to ensure the safe deployment of activities. Participate in security analysis, mitigation measures and emergency planning.
Desired profile:
Experiences:
- 2 years of experience related to the degree and prior experience working with MSF in the field (essential).
- Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams – particularly mental health / primary health / access to rights (essential).
- Experience on “Migration” projects (essential).
Knowledge and skills:
- Proficiency in office software (essential)
- Strategic vision
- Leadership
- Staff management and development
- Planning and organization
- Teamwork and multidisciplinary cooperation
LANGUAGES :
- Fluency in French and English is required.
- Fluency in Arabic is an “plus”.
Status and conditions:
Status: The contract duration will be determined in agreement with the selected candidate. Full-time position, 39 hours/week. Position based in Dunkirk AND Calais.
Conditions :
- €3,598.40 gross monthly salary over 13 months.
- 22 days of paid time off per year. Supplementary health insurance fully covered by Doctors Without Borders.
- Meal vouchers with a face value of €11.00 (60% covered by MSF).
- Coverage of 50% of public transport subscription (weekly, monthly or annual) or bicycle kilometers.
Due to administrative constraints related to the duration of the contract, candidates must already have a work permit in France (citizen of the European Union) or a residence permit allowing them to work on French soil.
Position available: as soon as possible.
How to apply
Please send your application: CV + cover letter + diplomas by email by March 26, 2026 inclusive , with the following reference in the subject line:
MEDICAL REFERENT PROJECT_NORTH COAST_MISSION FRANCE_LAST_FIRST_NAME to
msff-france-recrutement@paris.msf.org
Only candidates whose applications have been selected will be contacted.
At MSF, we value diversity and strive to have 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.