EMERGENCY MANAGER - EMERGENCY UNIT (BASED IN ANY OCBA HUB)

MAIN PURPOSES  

The Emergency Manager contributes to the definition and implementation of MSF OCBA’s emergency operational strategy and supports the functioning of the Emergency Unit (EU), within the framework of the Strategic Plan, Operational Policy and annual operational orientations. 

Under the supervision of the Head of the Emergency Unit (REUE), the Emergency Manager supports the design, implementation, monitoring and adaptation of relevant and high-impact emergency operations, ensuring that responses remain adapted to evolving humanitarian needs, security conditions and operational priorities. 

The Emergency Manager may be required to directly manage one or several emergency responses simultaneously depending on the volume and complexity of the response.  

The Emergency Manager will spend up to 50% of the time in the field per year. The objectives of these missions could be: to carry out an exploratory mission, to start up an emergency, to evaluate the operational, programmatic and security management choices of an ongoing intervention, to support the operations, to fill a strategic gap, etc. 

JOB OVERVIEW 

The Emergency Manager supports the Emergency Unit in translating MSF OCBA’s strategic and operational priorities into timely, relevant and high-impact emergency responses. Working closely with the REUE, Emergency Unit members, Operational Cells, missions and support departments, the role contributes to context analysis, operational strategy, emergency preparedness, security management, project design, planning and resource allocation. The Emergency Manager may directly manage one or several emergency interventions, ensuring their relevance, quality, impact and security as contexts evolve. The position requires rapid decision-making, multidisciplinary coordination and strong operational judgement. It also involves frequent deployment to the field for assessments/exploratory missions, emergency interventions start-ups, operational/programmatic/security reviews, direct support to ongoing interventions and critical gap filling, with up to 50% of working time spent in the field. 

TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic positioning and operational reflection - Participate in the organisational strategy & positioning of OCBA 

• Support the REUE in strategic reflection on MSF OCBA’s positioning and role in humanitarian crises, including humanitarian dilemmas, protection issues and operational strategies. 
• Promote and contribute to debates, analyses and reflection exercises within the assigned portfolio and beyond. 
• Participate in transversal accountability processes within the Emergency Unit and Operations Department. 
• Support the implementation of transversal organisational processes, including Safeguarding, Behaviour, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Patient-Centred Approach. 

Operational strategy, context analysis and planning - Support the definition of the Missions’ operational strategy within assigned portfolio, conducting context analyses (humanitarian, security, others), planning and budgeting exercises 

• Support the REUE contributing to the definition of OCBA operational vision for the assigned missions/portfolio, and others when requested. 
• Support the REUE on the continuous critical review of context & humanitarian consequences in the assigned portfolio in order to guarantee that EU operational response is adapted to meet population’s needs.  
• Support the REUE in the (re-)definition and/or (re-)adaptation of new and ongoing interventions, EPREP strategies, advocacy approaches including comms, etc. based on analysis of the humanitarian challenges’ evolution, evaluation of programs implementation including protection, advocacy and comms, etc. within the assigned portfolio.  
• Collaborate with REUE and other members of the Cell in the definition of the mission’s Safeguarding policy and strategies, ensuring the focus on the development of safe working environment form the beginning of any emergency intervention.  
• Contribute to horizon scanning and the identification of emerging crises. 
• Participate in the identification, planning, budgeting and implementation of interventions and exploratory missions. 
• Participate proactively in relevant Interdesk meetings. 
• Collaborate with the REUE and TELOCO on the definition of the portfolio’s missions security management in line with the security policy, rules and guidelines of MSF OCBA, including the definition, revision and respective validation of security related milestones (Risk Analysis & mitigation measures, Contingency Plans, Movements FTRs, etc.) & documentation.   

Direct management of emergency responses - By delegation of the EU Desk and in continuous collaboration with him, direct management of an emergency (1st line manager): 

• Supervise and support the implementation of assigned emergency interventions within portfolio according to quality standards, MSF OCBA security management, operational priorities and MSF humanitarian and deontological principles, with the primary objective to meet population’s needs. 
• Ensure that security management remains adapted to the emergency context, balancing risk and operational impact. 
• Support the management of security incidents and advise on critical incidents in consultation with the EU Desk. 
• Support the REUE to ensure that MSF role on humanitarian action and advocacy is effectively executed by identifying related medical-humanitarian dilemmas, defining lobbying, advocacy and communication strategies.  
• Coordinate technical support to emergency interventions, incorporating input from relevant support services. 
• Follow up implementation considering relevance/impact/security, in order to maintain relevance & safety of projects at all times.  

This can include, within the emergency response cycle and under EU Desk guidance: 

• At the onset of an emergency:
  • Rapidly assess humanitarian and security conditions using available information and data.
  • Contribute to rapid decisions in accordance with the EU Desk on the appropriate type of intervention. (evaluation, assessment / actions, immediate response)
  • Define medical strategy and activities together with TESACO.
  • Define support roles.
  • Determine supply routes, budgets and other operational requirements.
  • Coordinate with Emergency Desks from other MSF Operational Centres. 

• During the response:
  • Close follow up of the evolution of the security context/humanitarian situation and refocus, readjust the strategy, the resources (HR, supply, finance) in light of such developments
  • Provide tactical support and advice (sparring) to the Operational Cell and Head of Missions (HoMs) in the follow-up and orientation of emergency interventions  
  • Assess advocacy needs with ARHP support.
  • Participate in E-Interdesks, Emergency Committees and other relevant coordination mechanisms. 

• After the response:
  • Assess the intervention and identify lessons learned across operational, medical, logistics, supply and other relevant dimensions.
  • Facilitate discussions to share lessons and conclusions.
  • Ensure appropriate knowledge management, including end-of-intervention reports and archiving. 

Immediate deployment to the field when necessary to: 

• Carry out objective needs assessments at the onset of an emergency (conflict/epidemic/natural disaster/etc.)
• Perform explos to open complex interventions/missions
• Rapidly launch emergency responses  
• Evaluate operational relevance/impact of ongoing interventions, programmatic choices and security management set-up
• Perform critical gap fill as EmCo in ongoing E-responses 

ROLE´S SPECIFIC ELEMENTS 

• Be available for immediate field deployment when required to conduct needs assessments, exploratory missions, launch emergency responses, review ongoing interventions or fill critical Emergency Coordinator gaps. 
• Spend up to 50% of working time in the field. 
• Manage one, two or potentially more emergency responses simultaneously, depending on their volume and complexity. 
• Replace the REUE as Emergency Unit manager during their absence. 
• When at home, ensure support and supervision for the day to day management of the cell team (coordination, meetings organization, regular internal formal communication, coherence between objectives and resources, and timely decision-making) to ensure objectives be achieved 
• Provide operational advice and support to Operational Cells on emergency responses. 
• Attend meetings of the Operations Department (Emergency Committees, ROP, Co-Week, ad hoc meetings, etc.) 
• Participate in various trainings on demand (PPD, ERTs, others) 
• Follow health issues “at risk” as malnutrition, diseases prone to outbreaks – cholera, dengue, malaria…. –, climate-induced or exacerbated shocks/changing geographical or seasonal patterns, etc. in different countries or regions 
• Liaise with EPREP Co in order to contribute on the development of EPREP plans, including vulnerability & risk factors’ analysis (security, political, economic, social, climate, environmental, health) per region/country w/ collaboration of missions & cells in order to trigger timely action 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

• University or Higher Institute degree in a relevant field, such as Medicine, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Political Science, Economics, or Legal/Judicial Sciences.  
• Minimum 2 years of MSF field experience in Head of Mission (HoM) and/or Medical Coordinator (MedCo) positions, including experience in highly insecure contexts and emergency response.  
• Participation in at least two major emergency interventions as Emergency Coordinator (EmCo).  
• Proven experience in emergency operational management and security management.  
• Fluency in English and French (written and spoken) is required. Spanish and/or Arabic will be considered assets.  
• Strong knowledge of the international humanitarian context, security management, and MSF/OCBA security tools and documentation.  
• Ability to undertake rapid and frequent field deployments at short notice and to work effectively under pressure. 

CONDITIONS 

• Position based in any MSF-OCBA Hub: Amman, Bogotá, Dakar, Nairobi, Barcelona, Bilbao, Sevilla or Madrid.  
  • Final location will be subject to the employability of the preselected candidate (e.g., residency, work permit, etc.). 
• For level HQ-5 positions and if the role is based in one of our offices in Spain, the salary will be at €54.220,40. If the role is finally located at one of the OCBA regional hubs, compensation will be subject to the local pay scale applicable to that hub. 
• Full-time job. 
• Contract duration: a two-year contract, with the possibility of renewal. 
• Starting date: 1 December 2026. 

HOW TO APPLY  

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.
• Closing date: 15th September, 23:59 CET (Central European Time). 

INFORMATION ABOUT RECRUITMENT PROCESS STEPS 

• After the application deadline, the recruitment process usually takes between 6 and 8 weeks.  
• All candidates will be informed once the process is closed. Due to the high number of applications, individual feedback cannot usually be provided.  
• If you have not heard from us, it means the process is still ongoing and additional candidates may be contacted.  
• A reference check will be requested in the final stages of the process. Candidates will be required to provide references from former employers using professional or corporate email addresses (personal email accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, etc. will not be accepted). 

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination.