MSF International Managing Director

Location: Based in Geneva or within approximately +/- two (2) hours from Geneva

Contract: Fixed term at 100% - It is a mandated role (currently 3+3 years)

Starting date: 01st of March 2027

Deadline to apply: 26th of November 2026 - We reserve the right to close this position once suitable candidates have been identified.

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, able to issue a contract, of their country of residence at the time of application. If no MSF office exists in their country of residence, the successful candidate will be expected to relocate to a country where an MSF office can issue a contract, provided the local legislation allows for that.

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. The successful candidate will be expected to comply with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and standards of professional behaviour.

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.

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 26 sections, 28 associations and 16 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.

I. CONTEXT

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

MSF International is the legal entity whose membership is composed of all MSF associations. It hosts the International Secretariat, supports the International Board, facilitates coordination across the MSF movement, and provides shared services and initiatives as mandated by the movement.

Within MSF International, the International Office acts as the Secretariat of the International Board (IB) and operates under the direct management of the International Secretary General (ISG). MSF International also provides administrative and operational support to movement-wide initiatives and services, including MSF Access.

II. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The MSF International Managing Director is a senior executive role responsible for institutional leadership, stewardship of resources, and organizational performance of MSF International as a legal entity serving the MSF movement.

The role ensures that MSF International:

• Effectively implements -within the scope of MSF International - the MSF International Multiyear Plan and SPARC (MSF-wide Strategic Planning, Accountability and Resource Cycle) and supports the International Board and the International Secretary General in their governance roles and responsibilities.

• Provides high quality, well governed services to the MSF movement, as mandated by the Full ExCom (executive committee);

• Operates with strong systems of governance, accountability, risk management and duty of care;

• Has robust, transparent and efficient governance, financial, human, and knowledge systems;

• Operates as a coherent, inclusive, and accountable internationally distributed organization;

• Models MSF values in leadership, equity, duty of care, and ethical management;

• Ensures that the decisions taken by the Board of Directors of MSF International and its implementation is compliant with the Articles of Association, the internal regulations, as well as Swiss standards and Swiss laws, for as long as the registered office is in Geneva, Switzerland.

The MSF Management Director acts as a strategic partner to the International Secretary General, providing leadership on transversal and institutional topics with regards to the management of MSF International.

III. ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Strategic Leadership and Implementation of MSF International (Multi‑year Plan & SPARC): Lead the translation of MSF International and movement strategic priorities into clear objectives, organisational plans, policies and resourcing within MSF International; support cross‑functional initiatives required by international platforms as needed to deliver the Multi‑Year Strategic Plan and SPARC commitments.

Expected result: MSF International delivers on agreed strategic priorities and SPARC commitments through coherent plans, measurable milestones and coordinated delivery across functions and movement partners.

a. Contribute to the development of MSF International Multi‑year Strategic Plan and SPARC within MSF International’s mandate and scope and translate strategic priorities into concrete organisational objectives, policies, systems and resource allocations, ensuring coherence across functions and services.

b. Supports cross‑functional and transversal initiatives required to deliver common strategic priorities and SPARC‑related commitments.

c. Contribute to movement-wide discussions on harmonization, efficiency and shared services.

d. Sets up and tracks implementation plans, including key milestones, indicators, and risks. Support the ISG in reporting to the International Board and relevant Standing Committees, and contribute to SPARC’s Monitoring & Evaluation Framework and Expense Steering Process for functions and services managed within MSF International’s scope.

e. Deputize for the ISG as required, within agreed scope and representation mandates.

f. Represent MSF International to key stakeholders, partners and external audiences as required, and build relationships that protect and advance MSF's institutional interests.

2. Governance, legal compliance, accountability and risk management for MSF-International: Ensure robust governance implementation, statutory compliance and effective risk management systems for MSF International as a Swiss legal entity and for services delivered on behalf of the movement; prepare governance-level advice and support Board decision-making.

Expected result: International Board and executive decisions are supported by timely, compliant and risk‑informed advice; MSF International statutory obligations and legal requirements are met and organisational risks are identified and mitigated.

a. Act as senior management liaison to the ISG, the International Board and Standing Committees on matters related to MSF International organisational governance, resources, risk, compliance and organisational performance.

b. Ensure robust systems of internal control, risk management and accountability, are in place and functioning for MSF International, in line with legal, fiduciary and associative obligations, including preparedness for critical incidents directly affecting MSF International.

c. Lead or support organizational responses to critical incidents directly affecting MSF International, including HR, legal, reputational, safeguarding or security‑related situations.

d. Ensure that MSF International fulfils its statutory responsibilities as a Swiss legal entity and that appropriate legal, administrative and governance support is obtained for decisions of the IB in light of the International Statutes, the Internal Regulations, and Swiss standards and law. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding daily management of MSF International.

e. Oversee compliance with GDPR and Swiss data protection law, promoting a culture of privacy and responsible data use.

f. Ensure appropriate legal review of all contracts and agreements directly involving MSF International and including those through which it delivers services to the movement, in accordance with MSF’s rules and policies, as well as Swiss law.

g. Design, implement and monitor the effectiveness of internal control systems and procedures; ensure that MSF International risks are identified and registered and ensure that mitigation measures are discussed and incorporated in the respective departments annual plans.

3. Services to MSF: Provide executive stewardship of movement-wide services mandated to MSF International, ensuring clear service governance, defined accountabilities and cost‑effective delivery.

Expected result: Movement services operate to agreed service charters and KPIs, with transparent costs and reliable delivery that meet sections' needs and contractual obligations.

a. Provide executive leadership and stewardship over services mandated to MSF International in support of the MSF movement, ensuring they are clearly governed, fit for purpose, cost‑effective and appropriately funded.

b. Ensure that roles, responsibilities, decision‑making authority and service boundaries between MSF International and MSF sections are clearly defined and communicated, balancing interoperability and mutualization objectives with the sections and ODs autonomy.

c. Establish and monitor service governance and performance frameworks, including service charters, KPIs, cost‑sharing arrangements and escalation mechanisms where relevant, and ensure transparency.

d. Facilitate structured dialogue with MSF sections to identify service needs, manage expectations and address risks or performance issues.

4. Financial stewardship and institutional integrity: Oversee budgeting, financial planning, statutory accounts, audits and financial controls; ensure alignment of resources with strategic priorities and manage institutional financial and insurance arrangements.

Expected result: MSF International maintains sound financial health, regulatory compliance and transparent resource allocation that supports strategic objectives.

a. Provide executive oversight of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting for MSF International.

b. Ensure alignment between strategic priorities (including SPARC) and resource allocation.

c. Oversee statutory accounts, audits, financial policies and compliance with Swiss GAAP, tax and VAT requirements.

d. Oversee relationships with external auditors, financial advisors and legal counsel.

e. Oversee institutional insurance coverage and financial risk mitigation. Manage the full suite of institutional and corporate insurance coverage for MSF International.

f. Oversee legacies and donations earmarked for MSF International

5. People, culture and organisational development: Oversee people strategy, workforce planning, performance management, leadership development and organisational design to foster an inclusive, safe and high‑performing culture across a distributed workforce.

Expected result: A diverse, supported and capable organisation with clear succession pathways, strong performance management and a positive organisational culture.

a. Provide strategic leadership over human resources management, organizational design and workforce planning.

b. Ensure a safe, supportive, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy workplace, free from abuse and other misconduct.

c. Oversee performance management, leadership development and succession planning.

d. Ensure a lively MSF International culture despite the geographical spread, including through adequate internal communication.

e. Lead organisational development, when necessary, to ensure the organisational structure remains fit for purpose and appropriate for a well-functioning office.

f. Manage institutional relationships with MSF sections hosting MSF International staff and ensure coherent frameworks for hosting, contracting, payroll and staff integration.

g. Ensure appropriate information governance and that knowledge management systems support collaboration, institutional memory and organizational learning, including learning from strategy and SPARC implementation.

h. Liaise regularly with the Staff Committee of MSF International.

IV. AUTONOMY, COMPLEXITY

The MSF International Managing Director operates with a high degree of autonomy to think, interpret and act within the strategic direction set by the International Secretary General, the International Board and the governance framework of MSF International.

The role is required to make independent judgements on organisational priorities, resource allocation, risk mitigation, service performance, people matters and operational responses, often in situations where issues are sensitive, cross-functional and without straightforward precedent.

The complexity of the environment is significant: the postholder works across a federated MSF movement with multiple stakeholders, distributed teams, hosted staff arrangements and diverse section interests, while also ensuring compliance with Swiss legal and regulatory requirements, internal governance rules, financial and HR procedures, safeguarding standards and data protection obligations. Success therefore depends on balancing institutional coherence, legal and procedural rigour, and service effectiveness with diplomacy, sound judgement and the ability to operate in ambiguity.

V. SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

The incumbent commits to contribute to a safe, supportive, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy workplace, free from abuse and other misconduct. They will not engage in any form of abuse including those detailed in MSF Typologies of Abuse and when an employee suspects or observes abuse, they will report it (without investigating it) to protect others.

• Ensure respectful management and communication at all levels.

• Ensure that staff and consultants under their supervision understand their responsibilities with respect to required behaviour and report abuse while working for MSF by reinforcing and regularly discussing expected standards of behaviour.

• Welcome complainants, understand how to guide colleagues to appropriate channels, promote and create an environment that does not tolerate abuse or inappropriate behaviour. Guide colleagues to the correct process without investigating.

• Ensure that staff know how to complain and keep staff updated on reporting mechanisms.

Education

• Master’s degree in management, humanitarian affairs, political sciences, or a related field, or equivalent senior-level professional experience

Experience

• Extensive senior leadership experience (General/Executive Director, Deputy Director or Director of a major organizational function) in a complex and large international and decentralised organisations

• MSF experience is a major asset

• Proven ability to operate at Board and executive level

• Strong people leadership, including conflict management and change leadership

• Solid expertise in financial oversight, governance and organisational systems

• Experience with equity, diversity and inclusion strategies

Knowledge

• Strong commitment to MSF’s humanitarian principles and associative values.

• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters.

• Knowledge of Swiss legal, institutional, employment, financial and data protection frameworks is an asset.

• Familiarity with governance of associations and federated movements is an asset.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional and institutional change.

• Comfortable leading teams across different locations and liaising with stakeholders at all levels.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to communicate complex or sensitive matters clearly, concisely, and professionally.

• High level of discretion, judgement, and emotional intelligence, and the ability to build a strong network across an organisation.

• Confident decision‑making and the ability to act autonomously as appropriate.

• Flexible team player, willing to adapt to changes, and confident tackling unfamiliar challenges across multiple domains of knowledge/experience.

Languages

• Excellent English (written and spoken) is essential.

• French highly desirable, and other MSF languages are further assets.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding and acceptance of these recruitment procedures.