Author-coordinator Clinical guidelines - International guidelines publications team

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: 50%

Duration: Permanent contract

Starting Date: 01st of April 2026

Deadline to Apply: 04th of March 2026

Compensation and Benefits:

MSF practice is to offer the compensation and benefits package in line with the MSF entity offering the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

MSF develops medical-operational guidelines to support staff in providing quality health care and rapid emergency response in humanitarian contexts for over 30 years. MSF international guidelines are regularly updated and published in digital and print. They are based on extensive practical experience from MSF programs, recommendations published by the World Health Organisation and other leading medical institutions, and evidence based on research and scientific literature. The International Guideline Publications (IGP) team was established to ensure the quality production of MSF guidelines. There are currently around 30 international guidelines in the MSF guidelines library, accessible at medicalguidelines.msf.org, some produced in multiple languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic) and a selection with open access to the public.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The Author-coordinator (hereafter: author) of the Clinical guidelines is part of the IGP team of the IMQPP department. The author of the Clinical guidelines is falling under the direct supervision of and reports to the IGP Manager. The content quality of the Clinical guidelines is supervised by the International Medical Coordinator. Close collaboration with the IGP team members and the key stakeholders, including but not limited to MSF Intersectional Medical platform leaders and experts, is essential.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The author Clinical guidelines:

1) Coordinates the development and maintenance of the content quality of MSF Clinical Guidelines. They ensure the Clinical Guidelines are scientifically sound and up to date, consistent with other MSF international guidelines, and relevant and adapted to the MSF operational environment;

2) Writes and revises relevant text and/or chapters for the MSF Clinical Guidelines;

3) Provides input to other MSF international guidelines and tools, as requested;

4) Contributes to continuously improving the methodology (processes, tools, etc.) used by the IGP (and non-IGP) author-coordinators.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project management - Planning

• Generate an annual plan of updates in collaboration with the Editor of the Clinical guidelines and the Pharmacist for the Essential drugs; and in coordination with other IGP members and MSF Intersectional Medical platforms leaders , taking into consideration the annual plan of updates of the other MSF guidelines;

• Adjust planning, in coordination with the IGP manager and editor of the Clinical Guidelines, if new evidence or recommendations relevant to the guideline emerge and/or based on user feedback.

2. Writing

• Conduct proactive literature search, external guidelines review, etc. to support content with up to date scientific evidence, or if lacking, on a consensus of internal and/or external experts;

• Write draft updates maintaining consistency and in compliance with the Guide to producing MSF guidelines, request and integrate input from relevant MSF and external experts, as well as references, illustrations, etc.;

• Coordinate closely with the editor of the Clinical Guidelines throughout the writing and revision process e.g. provide regular updates on content changes, consider and integrate feedback;

• Prepare a discussion document to present to the IGP manager and the Head IMQPP department in case of lack of agreement between the different collaborators (Author-coordinator, Editor, Pharmacist, Paediatrician and MSF, and external, experts) on a certain topic. Document and integrate the decision taken;

• Finalise the text, considering the feedback of the Editor, Pharmacist, Paediatrician, MSF, and external experts and the Head IMQPP department, and submit to the editor of the Clinical Guidelines for a final check prior to translation and publication.

• Support translation process by identifying which references are available in French, Arabic and/or Spanish and responding to translator’s content questions, where agreed with Editor.

3. Project management - Coordination

• Coordinate the input of MSF and external experts e.g. regular e-mail communication, attendance of Intersectional Medical Platform or specific ad-hoc meetings when invited;

• Manage requests for revision of texts within the Clinical Guidelines from Intersectional Medical Platform’s and other MSF stakeholders, and facilitate consensus-seeking and decision-making on content;

• Coordinate with other authors working on international guidelines, relevant working group members and managers of product catalogues (Spinco etc.) for coherence.

• Coordinate with editors, other authors, and translators on consistent terminology across MSF public guidelines;

• Create systematic mechanisms for transfer of feedback from MSF and external experts to the wider IGP team, under the coordination and support of the IGP manager;

• Discuss the production and strategy with the IGP Manager on a regular basis and with the Head of department on a yearly basis;

• Disseminate key relevant findings of literature research, external guidelines review, etc. to IGP authors and MSF experts;

• Provide input to other MSF international guidelines and tools, as requested, and agreed with IGP manager. 

4. Project management - Documentation

• Collect and store requests for updates of the Clinical Guideline (from Intersectional Medical Platforms, IGP members, field staff, spontaneous contacts);

• Track and ensure references are used and cited correctly;

• Ensure permissions are received and stored for all illustrations, images and photos that are not from an MSF source;

• Archive documents, references, conclusions around key topics used for the updates, to help answer any future questions related to the Clinical guidelines;

• Make use of the IGP IT tools in place (CMS system, word, sharepoint, excel, etc.) for writing, storage of changes and documentation.  

5. Be a proactive IGP team member

• Proactive participation in all relevant meetings and provide regular information on the progress of activities;

• Contribute to the annual IGP plan of action and multi-year plans;

• Participate in the budget forecast, midterm reviews and reporting;

• Participate to the transversal projects of the international guidelines.

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor

• Medical editorial capacity

• Demonstrated skills in conducting literature review, critically assessing and documenting scientific evidence

Work experience

• Minimum of 10 years' experience as a Medical Doctor, preferably as a General Practitioner, including at least 2 years of project experience with MSF or other international organisations operating in similar contexts

• Experience working at the headquarters of MSF or other similar organizations is an asset

• Demonstrated expertise in scientific writing and editorial expertise

• Experience in the development and production of medical guidelines is considered an asset

• Project management and coordination experience is considered an asset

Specific skills

• Strong commitment to MSF values

• Quality driven

• Eye for detail

• Problem solving

• Excellent technical writing

• Excellent English speaking and writing skills, French, Spanish or Arabic language skills is an advantage

• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with different stakeholders (remotely)

• Ability to work and report independently

• IT literacy

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.