Medical Content Editor

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 13.07.2025

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the conditions 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, 27 associations and 18 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 25 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 Medical Content Editor is part of the International Guidelines Publication (IGP) team of MSF International. This role reports directly to the IGP Manager and requires close collaboration with guidelines team members and IGP stakeholders. This role also includes providing guidance and mentorship to peer medical editors and authors to ensure quality standards are improved and maintained.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

1. Editorial oversight and quality assurance: ensure MSF's international guidelines are high-quality, scientifically sound, and consistent with existing guidelines. Confirm they comply with MSF International guideline standards and respond to the specific needs of health care professionals working in resources limited settings.

2. Quality improvement: lead or participate in transversal IGP projects to enhance medical quality aspects of MSF international guidelines and apply quality standards and evidence-based medicine principles set when editing the guidelines.

3. Validation and approval: verify all validation process steps and participate in the presentation of the final product to MSF’s Medical Directors to secure approvals from relevant experts and MSF’s Medical Directors.

4. Development process oversight: Oversee the entire development process of revisions, from concept note development and project planning to content review and final publication. Collaborate effectively with IGP team members and ensure stakeholder engagement throughout the content production process.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Preparation and planning

• Participation in the selection of author coordinator(s) and IGP medical author coordinators for new guidelines, upon request;

• In collaboration with the author coordinator(s), outline the division of tasks and responsibilities of the author coordinator(s), editor and other key contributors as well as their functional links;

• Draft or contribute to the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for Editorial Committees and arbitration processes where necessary;

• Brief and support author coordinators on editorial processes, authorship policy, and production workflows;

• Share the Authorship policy with author coordinator(s), and key collaborators;  

• Provide input on and validate structure of the guideline, based on the concept note approved by MSF’s Medical directors;   

• Provide input on and validate draft table of content, and timeline documents, based on the concept note approved by MSF’s Medical directors;  

• Ensure to insert the timely involvement into and input to of MSF and external experts in the planning documents when needed

2. Medical content editing

• Provide input during the writing process and review and feedback on drafted chapters for completeness, coherence, and adherence to guidelines.

• Ensure the content is evidence-based with accurate references, and the quality of it, and ensure coherence of data, figures, and protocols.

• Check if the text is complete, concise and coherent and in line with the Guide for producing guidelines and suggest improvements for clarity and readability.

• Evaluate the presentation of content and ensure it aligns with the Guide for Producing Guidelines and, in collaboration with the Designer, if it is suitable for both print and digital formats.

• Verify drug dosages, treatment protocols, and medical terminology for accuracy and consistency.

• Ensure a consistent tone, terminology, structure, and formatting throughout the document.

• Validate references, footnotes, glossary, and illustrations for accuracy and compliance.

• Ensure contributors are correctly listed according to the authorship policy.

3. Coordination

• Confirm that all assigned experts have contributed their input and participate in arbitration processes when necessary.

• Coordinate with the translator coordinator for copy editing and integrate feedback effectively.

• Submit the final version to Medical Directors for review and support the presentation of the guideline.

• Assist in incorporating feedback from Medical Directors and provide a list of changes.

• Submit guidelines to the layout officer for publication in both print and digital formats.

• Check the final text to be send to the Translator coordinator and send it over;

• Liaise with the Translation Coordinator and assist in resolving language or terminology issues.

4. Mentorship and Editorial Support

• Provide support and advice to other medical editors and authors in the IGP team to improve and maintain medical quality standards.

• Mentor newly recruited authors or editors and participate in training sessions or quality initiatives to elevate editorial standards across projects.

• Promote editorial best practices and contribute to the development of editorial resources and tools.

5. IGP transversal projects and reporting

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

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

• Give input to midterm reviews and reporting;

• Participate in the transversal projects of the International Guidelines;

[1] Key collaborators: person permanently involved in the writing and/or reading of a specific GL until the publication e.g: specific member(s) of a WG, IGP members, editorial committee members. This includes (co)authors and contributors as meant in the Authorship policy international guidelines.  

Required qualifications and experience

• Medical diploma as doctor

• Minimal 7 years’ experience in medical content editing, ideally within public health, humanitarian, or clinical settings;

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

• Familiarity with medical guideline development, systematic reviews, and evidence-based publishing.

• Proficient in editing according to AMA or similar standards.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and coordinating complex editorial processes.

Key skills and competencies

• Strong command of medical writing, editing, and fact-checking.

• Ability to synthesize complex scientific information into clear, structured, and actionable content.

• Excellent organizational skills, project management an asset.

• Attention to detail and commitment to editorial quality.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Collaborative mindset and ability to support others.

• Ability to work and report independently

• IT literacy

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All applications will be processed confidentially.

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, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.