CONTEXT
As a principle, an Operations Coordinator position in Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) is not permanently tied to a fixed country portfolio, as portfolio allocation within the Operations Department may evolve according to operational priorities and organisational needs.
The Operations Coordinator under recruitment belongs to the Operations Department and is responsible for the overall vision, strategy and operational coherence of the programmes under their cell portfolio.
The role requires strong capacity to support complex operational environments, including security management in unstable contexts, access negotiation, advocacy, complex medical strategies, and strategic decision-making in collaboration with country teams and headquarters departments.
This position is based in Brussels. The expected portfolio will mainly include Central Africa contexts, including DRC, CAR and Burundi, as well as Sierra Leone.
The selected candidate will join during an internal portfolio transition period.
The Central Africa portfolio is expected to progressively move from the Abidjan-based cell (currently CELL 1) to the Brussels-based cell (Currently CELL 2), while the Brussels-based cell will progressively hand over its current West Africa/Sahel portfolio, including Nigeria, Mali, Benin and Guinea.
The selected candidate will be expected to ensure continuity of support to country teams while progressively taking over the portfolio through a structured handover process (planned over a period of around 6 months).
During the initial transition period, the Operations Coordinator will be expected to:
- Work closely with the current Central Africa cell leadership to ensure a structured onboarding and handover of the portfolio
- Maintain continuity of operational support to country teams during the transition, including ongoing planning and review processes
- Ensure clear accountability lines with country teams as portfolio responsibilities are progressively transferred
- Support the stabilization of the Brussels-based cell together with the Deputy Coordinator of Operations, and other cell members
Over the years the portfolio allocation may further evolve depending on operational need.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop the strategic vision for each country together with the Deputy Coordinator of Operations, the Medical Officer, the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator) and the Medical Coordinators, with input from the Medical and Analysis departments
- Guide country teams throughout the operational cycle: planning, running and landing/closing projects
- Finalise key operational process milestones with country teams, including the Multiyear/Annual Review of Operations (MY‑ARO), Quarterly Monitoring Meetings (QMM), OPS Snapshots, new project intentions and final project proposals (formerly COPRO)
- Maintain an overall view of operational implementation together with other cell members and the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator)
- Select design and support teams in line with the Operation Decision-Making Process document
- Foster a transversal support dynamic to strengthen the quality of the support to the operations
- Coach and mentor the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator) in their responsibility for project implementation
- Represent the programmes in your portfolio within the MSF International network and externally, and represent the cell to external actors
- Ensure effective internal information flow between Countries of Operations, the cell, OCB departments, OCB sections and other OCs
- Ensure that projects have a pertinent advocacy strategy
- Identify important topics for communication (and/or support the programmes to do so)
- Ensure proper management of HR, Logistics (including logistics strategy), budgeting and internal control within the programmes in your portfolio
- Hold overall budget responsibility for the programmes in your portfolio
- Act as the final responsible for security within the programmes in your portfolio
- Participate in the recruitment, management and evaluation of the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator)
- Participate in the recruitment of the members of your cell
- Evaluate the cell (medical, HR, logistics, finance) together with the concerned middle manager
- Represent the cell in various intersectional platforms (DRC interdesk, , etc)
- Support programmes and the cell in fostering safeguarding within the portfolio. During the initial phase of the assignment, ensure a structured handover and smooth transition of the portfolio, maintaining continuity of support to country teams and clarity on operational accountability
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience
- Minimum 7 years in a management role within an international humanitarian organisation
- Minimum 5 years of international MSF experience in different Operational contexts, including at least 3 years as Country Coordinator, Medical Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator
- Working experience in Central Africa Region is mandatory
Competencies
- Excellent strategic vision
- Leadership (strong leadership capacities, team management skills, able to make choices and assume decisions)
- Planning and organizing (set priorities and organization skills)
- Behavioral flexibility (high level of maturity in interpersonal relationships, flexibility in travel & working hours)
- Networking and Building Relationships (Representation)
- Negotiation skills
- Strong cultural awareness
Languages
- Proficient level in French and English, written and spoken is mandatory
CONDITIONS
- Expected starting date: September 2026
- Location: Brussels (Belgium)
- Mobility: regular project visits (at least once a year per Country)
- Contract type: mandate of 4 years (extendable for max. 2 more years) – Full time
- Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ salary grid
- Homeworking as per MSF policy
- Relocation package in accordance with MSF policy for non-Belgian residents
- Meal vouchers – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs
- Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
- Adhere to the MSF Behavioral commitments
Deadline for applications: 26th of July 2026
How to apply
How to apply?
- Submit your application via the ‘Apply here’ button on the vacancy page
- You will be directed to the online application form for this position
- It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter (in PDF format)ready to upload
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position is only open to candidates with previous experience with MSF (“Médecins Sans Frontières”)!
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