Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association founded in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: primarily in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and even exclusion from healthcare.
The MSF Foundation is a specialized entity created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) dedicated to medical innovation targeting patients living in resource-limited settings. Current projects include the use of 3D printing to create personalized prosthetics; the development of digital tools for epidemic control and surveillance; and the development of a smartphone app using machine learning to streamline and automate antibiotic susceptibility testing: Antibiogo.
Context :
The Antibiogo project will contribute to the fight against antibiotic resistance, a major public health problem expected to cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050.
Antibiogo is a free, open-source, offline Android application designed for laboratories in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It supports non-expert laboratory technicians in measuring and interpreting antimicrobial susceptibility tests (AST or Antibiogram), helping doctors prescribe appropriate antibiotics for their patients and providing accurate results that can be used for surveillance purposes.
A first version of Antibiogo, which has been clinically evaluated in three different sites and countries (Jordan, Mali and Senegal), has been CE self-certified since May 2022 (in accordance with Directive 98/79/EC on in vitro diagnostic medical devices) as a mobile device application used for the interpretation of antibiograms in resource-limited settings and is currently being deployed.
Today, Antibiogo is used in all MSF microbiology laboratories: Mali, Yemen, Jordan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone. Antibiogo is also used in public laboratories in Mali, CAR, Comoros, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, and Liberia. The goal for 2025 is to continue its implementation beyond MSF, in all laboratories in low- and middle-income countries that lack microbiologists. Our priority in 2025 is to make Antibiogo available in West African countries and then to complete 2025 with East African countries.
The implementation microbiologist will support the deployment of Antibiogo in West and East Africa.
The MIO (Mobile Implementation Officer), under the supervision of the Antibiogo program manager, is part of the clinical and implementation team and works in collaboration with the product and development team as well as the regulatory and quality assurance team. These teams are bilingual in French and English.
Mission :
She/he is in charge of the implementation of Antibiogo in public laboratories in West and East African countries in collaboration with the MSF Foundation and the MSF Operations Department and will travel to the identified countries to implement Antibiogo and support the development of the implementation strategy and associated tools.
The Antibiogo Implementation Microbiologist will be responsible for balancing technical activities such as implementing the tool in laboratories with operational activities such as representing Antibiogo’s vision and managing relationships with national authorities.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Initiate discussions with national authorities (in collaboration with the clinical manager and the development and implementation manager – IDO)
- Represent the Antibiogo project locally
- Identify key contacts within the national authorities of each country to present Antibiogo.
- Obtain all regulatory authorizations and approvals necessary for the implementation of Antibiogo.
- Represent the Antibiogo project, defending its vision and philosophy to national authorities and stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with national authorities to ensure smooth communication and collaboration.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with local antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stakeholders to ensure seamless communication and collaboration.
- Facilitate the effective sharing of information between national authorities and the Antibiogo project team.
- Proactively identify new countries or laboratories in the region that may become candidates for the implementation of Antibiogo.
- Identify any new opportunities in terms of communication and representation at the regional level
Implementation of Antibiogo in public laboratories identified
- He/she is responsible for implementation/training timetables after discussion with supervisors or laboratory managers.
- Create or adjust training tools and content for each implementation.
- Provide comprehensive training on Antibiogo from its definition to its performance and use by each technician in each laboratory.
- Collaborate with laboratory supervisors to identify the best strategy for integrating Antibiogo into the laboratory workflow.
- Provide technical training for the implementation of corrective actions if problems affecting the quality and reading of antibiograms are identified and prepare recommendations for the improvement of laboratory practices.
- Develop a monitoring strategy in collaboration with the Antibiogo deployment team and laboratory supervisors.
- Organize remote implementation and training in countries where travel is not possible.
Country monitoring after implementation.
- Ensure close monitoring of Antibiogo during the first months of use.
- Collect user feedback.
- Collect Antibiogo usage data monthly
Provide support to regular users after implementation.
- Respond to user questions or feedback as needed.
- Support the IDO in coordinating communications with all users as needed.
- Support the collection of post-marketing surveillance data for each site in collaboration with the regulatory focal point and the clinical lead.
Support the clinical team by providing microbiological support to the product team
- Ensure user feedback is considered when developments are needed.
Profile sought:
Formation :
- A PhD or Master’s degree (or similar) in clinical microbiology
- Or a degree in laboratory science with 10 years of laboratory supervision experience is essential.
Experience :
- Laboratory supervision and Global Health project management are essential
- Field experience with MSF or another NGO in low- or middle-income countries is essential.
- Project management experience and advocacy experience
- Experience in clinical bacteriology is essential.
- Experience in project management and advocacy is desirable.
- Successful experience working within multidisciplinary teams and experience in communicating with partners is desirable
SKILLS :
- Training and teaching skills
- Essential computer skills (Word, Excel)
- Experience in data entry software desirable
- Stakeholder engagement in LMICs essential – minimum 2 years:
- Strong skills in establishing and maintaining relationships with national authorities, regulators and AMR stakeholders.
- Experience in representing an organization’s vision and values to external partners.
- Advocacy and negotiation:
- Ability to collaborate with decision makers to obtain necessary regulatory authorizations and approvals.
- Comfortable presenting Antibiogo and MSF’s broader AMR strategy to diverse audiences.
- Cultural competence and sensitivity:
- Understanding and respect for cultural differences in communication and decision-making processes.
LANGUAGES :
- French: level C1 written and spoken
- English: B2 level written and spoken
Qualities:
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
- Stress management
- Commitment to MSF principles
Status and conditions : 12-month full-time MIO contract. Maximum 40% at headquarters (and/or remotely – other MSF offices or teleworking) – Minimum 60% in the field. Salary according to the MSF IRFFG grid – Level 10 depending on seniority and relevant experience for this position. Specific recruitment (this is not a recruitment for the International Pool but Pool members can apply)
Position to be filled: End of August 2025
At MSF, we value diversity and strive to create 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.
Contract type: Fixed-term contract
Application deadline: July 6, 2025
How to apply
We invite you to apply directly on our website: