MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, we are a worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people. 

MSF coordinates operations through collaborations between global offices. The ‘MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam’ (OCA) is a partnership that is composed of the partners MSF-Canada, MSF-Germany, MSF-SARA, MSF-Sweden, MSF-Holland and MSF-United Kingdom. MSF-OCA has a team of more than 11,000 staff working in 115 emergency projects in about 31 countries. 

The office of MSF-Holland located in Amsterdam hosts more than 400 employees, offering direct support to MSF-OCA operations. Around 50 staff focus on recruitment, communication and fundraising and 350 staff are focused on supporting MSF-OCA operations.  

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such, MSF is by choice (Chantilly) an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and commitment and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.  

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, disability status, and all other diversity characteristics.  

Project Coordinator

Objectives and responsibilities of the position

The MSF project coordinator is responsible for MSF’s operational response in the project by coordinating teams and activities. He/she identifies health conditions, humanitarian situation and needs, sets objectives and defines priorities to provide high quality care to the most vulnerable populations. He/she identifies, analyzes the context of the interventions, potential risks and obstacles and is responsible for the security of the project. He is/she acting as a representative of MSF at local level.

Your job

As a project coordinator (PC), you are responsible for the overall supervision of MSF’s activities and teams of your project. You work in close collaboration with your team and the mission coordination team. 

Based on monitoring and analyses of the humanitarian situation in your area, you define the operational strategy for the project and be responsible for its implementation. You are accountable and supervising the execution of programs, including emergency response activities. You coordinate MSF’s activities and identify the population’s health needs and the humanitarian issues at stake. In your project, you will ensure compliance to MSF’s principles, standards and policies in order to improve the target population’s health conditions and humanitarian situation.

You lead the project team, diverse and large. You are making decision managing the safety and security in the project. You elaborate annual plan and project proposal, and you are accountable for the project’s budget.

Advocacy work and continuous monitoring and analysis of the project’s context is also among your primary duties. You represent MSF before local authorities, donors, media and other organisations. You are based in the project location.

Candidate profile

• At least 3 years work experience with a humanitarian organisation, of which at least 1 year in a similar position and 1 in highly insecure and unstable environments, such as conflict zones or natural disasters
• Experience of security management
• Leadership: coaching and supervision of large multidisciplinary and multicultural teams; experience creating an inclusive environment
• Experience in project management, strategic planning, budgeting and project cycle
• Proficiency in both English and one of the following languages:  French, Arabic or Spanish
• Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize
• Flexibility and ability to work under stress
• Willingness to work in unstable and insecure environments
• Availability of at least 12 months and to work in the field
• Work experience within a medical organization is an asset

Strong Assets

• Work experience within a medical organization

Only applications that meet the above requirements will be considered

Information and Application

If you recognise yourself in this profile and meet the requirements, we welcome you to apply directly via the Apply button on this page and upload the following documents:

• Your most recent English CV not exceeding 3 pages
• A cover letter explaining your motivation to work with MSF
• A clear scan of your relevant diploma’s and certificates

In MSF we are strongly committed to professionalism and responsible behaviour and therefore the final phase of the application process is a background screening. Such screening can consist out of an identity check, check of employment history, reference check and declaration on behaviour.

If you are interested and would like to have additional information, please contact Recruitment, recruitment@amsterdam.msf.org.