Author-coordinator Paediatric and Neonatal guidelines

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Permanent, 75%

Department: MSF International, International guidelines publications

Starting date: ASAP
Deadline to apply: 27th of November 2025                      
Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing 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

This position ensures the neonatal and paediatric guidelines are up to date and provides the paediatric and neonatal expertise for all other MSF international medical guidelines as a member of the IGP team of MSF International. The author-coordinator falls under the direct supervision of and reports to the IGP Manager. Collaboration with IGP team members and stakeholders, including but not limited to MSF Paediatric Intersectional platform and other Intersectional platform leaders, is essential.           

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

1. coordinate the updates and maintenance of the content quality of MSF international paediatric and neonatal guidelines. The author-coordinator ensures the guidelines stay scientifically sound and up to date, consistent with other MSF International guidelines, reflects the Movements’ medical decisions and/or positioning and that all work is relevant and adapted to MSF’s operational environment;

2. set up and execute a regular update plan for MSF international paediatric and neonatal guidelines;  

3. write updates for the MSF international paediatric and neonatal guidelines, coordinating and incorporating the input and feedback of both the international working groups as well as the editor; 

4. provide paediatric input to sections concerning neonatal or paediatric care in other MSF international guidelines;

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

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project management 

• Develop and implement a plan and planning for continuous collection of feedback from MSF Paediatric and Neonatal projects;

• Develop and implement a plan and planning for regular revisions, in coordination with the relevant WGs members, the IGP editor and other IGP members, taking into consideration the annual plan of updates of the other MSF guidelines.  

• Adjust planning, in coordination with the IGP manager and editor, if new evidence or recommendations relevant to the guideline emerge. 

• Centralise documentation of feedback collected for Paediatric and Neonatal Guidelines (from WG, IGP editors, project staff) and all revisions made, consensus or decisions reached. 

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

• Archive documents, references, decisions around key topics used for the guides, to help answer any future questions related to the guidelines.

2. Coordination 

• Coordinate the input of MSF and external experts e.g. regular email communication, attending Intersectional platform or specific ad-hoc meetings, and facilitates consensus-seeking and decision-making on content. 

• Coordinate with other authors working on international guidelines and managers of existing MSF tools (ITC/SpinCo etc.) for coherence and consistency. 

• Disseminate finding of literature research, external guidelines review, etc. to IGP editor(s) and authors and MSF experts;  

• Facilitate the integration of specialist paediatric and neonatal contributions into other international medical guidelines, collaborating with respective authors, editors, intersectional platforms, and external experts.

3. Writing updates

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

• Write updates and/or new chapters in compliance with the “Guide of Guidelines”, request and integrate relevant MSF and external experts’ inputs, as well as references, illustrations, etc.;

• Coordinate closely with IGP editor throughout the writing and/or revision process e.g.  provide regular updates on literature research and communications with internal and external experts, content changes, consider and integrate feedback and submit final text for validation;  

• Prepare a discussion document for IGP manager and the Medical Director in case no agreement has been reached between the different collaborators (author(s), editor, pharmacist, MSF and external experts) on a certain topic. Document and integrate the decision taken;  

• Finalise the text, considering the feedback of the Editor, MSF and external experts and the Medical Director;  

• If applicable: support translation process by identifying which references are available in the language the guideline will be translated into and responding to translator’s content questions, where agreed with Editor. 

• Track and ensure references are used and cited correctly;

4. Tasks as IGP paediatrician for other international guidelines  

• Review the specific paediatric and neonatal parts of the other guidelines in coordination with the respective authors, editors and Intersectional platforms;  

• Participate in writing and editing of paediatric and neonatal parts of other guidelines ensuring harmonisation with the Paediatric and Neonatal guidelines where relevant.  

 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; 

• Participates to the transversal projects of the International Guidelines; 

Qualifications & Work experience  

• Medical Doctor with specialisation in paediatrics 

• Experience in guidelines production would be an asset  

• Field experience with MSF or other international organisations working in similar contexts.  

• Medical editorial capacity  

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

• Project management, coordination and documentation management skills

 Specific skills  

• Strong commitment to MSF values  

• Quality driven 

• Eye for detail  

• Problem solving  

• Excellent technical writing skills  

• Excellent English speaking and writing, French and Arabic would be an asset   

• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills  

• Ability to work collaboratively with different stakeholders (remotely) 

• Ability to work and report independently  

• IT literacy, experience with Drupal or any other Content Management system would be an asset

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.