OPERATIONAL CELL2 HEALTH ADVISOR (TESACO) SUPPORT (BASED IN DAKAR)

GENERAL CONTEXT
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization that offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, sex, religion, creed or political affiliation.

The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices worldwide; MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and mission coordination teams, together with organizational units based in Barcelona, Bogotá, Dakar and Nairobi.

The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations (Medical Dept., Logistics and Supply, HR Dept., Finances, etc).

The Cells are composed by one Operational Manager in charge of the Cell (RECO), one Deputy or Assistant RECO, one Health Advisor (TESACO), one Logistics Advisor (TELOCO), one Financial Advisor (FINOCO) and one Human Resources Advisor (REHUCO).

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION 
The overall objective of the TESACO Support is to assist the Health Advisor in the completion of specific delegated tasks as described below in order to maximize, from a medical perspective, the quality and adjustment of the projects managed by the Cell through technical follow-up and support.

This position is to follow the implementation of medical activities of the portfolio of Operational Cell 2 (CO2) which currently includes the Sahelian missions of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

S/he is part of the Operational Cell, reports hierarchically and functionally to the TESACO2 who will provide him/her with guidance, supervision and development of professional competences. 
S/he supports the TESACO in being globally acquainted and up to date with the projects.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS 

The functions of the TESACO Support include:

Provide technical support to field teams.

• Work closely with TESACO and medical department to ensure alignment during planning process.
• Emergency response: assist with emergency responses and, in collaboration with TESACO, support the field in proposing new projects or emergency plans. 
• Evaluate the results of the activities and propose a reorientation and adjustment if necessary.
• Verify the compliance of data entry in the missions with the different tools available: HMIS and/or other ad hoc platforms (emergencies, LL), in terms of timeliness, completeness and correct data. 
• Liaise with mission focal person for HMIS to make sure all updates and training needs are met at field level, and support in ensuring that new staff arriving in the projects are acquainted with the programme. S/he will also follow up on the technical support needed by the missions from HMIS team in HQ.
• Monitor medical activities through medical data and reports, and make sure that periodic technical and operational reports are produced and reflect the reality (quarterly reports, mid-year review, annual report, yearly typology, etc). 
• Help clarifying punctual technical medical doubts/issues upon request by the TESACO and with the support of the Medical Department if necessary.
• Access to medico-technical resources: partake to the review of needs for medico-technical materials and bibliography and ensure that field teams receive, and access to medical protocols, tools and resources recommended by Medical Department. Ensure that teams have access and know how to use SharePoint and other relevant systems.
• Conduct a minimum of 2 field visits per year -preferably 3, including support to HMIS, pharmacy staffs. 
• Strategic Support and Collaboration: Support the Cell and the missions in the implementation and monitoring of strategic topics (dossiers, innovation, etc.), upon request by the TESACO. In collaboration with medical referents, work in adapted plans that address field needs, including organizing monthly meetings, thematic workshops. Involve referents at every phase of the project, from planning to implementation leveraging their expertise.

Implement with the mission appropriate procurement, monitoring and management of medical supplies. 

• Monitoring and management of medical supplies, procurement and compliance with MSF protocols /procedures, KPI review and follow up of improvements actions proposed, pharma and medical orders support, incident management and supply issues.
• Ensure that local purchases, donations, loans and in general; all medical products, are obtained according to MSF procedures/policies.
• Ensure that emergency buffer stocks in the missions are consistent with the EPP (Emergency Preparedness Plan) jointly with Technical Referents.
• Make sure that the choice of medical supplies is adapted to the various projects, and that they are adequate, and their need justified.
• Guarantee the compliance of agreed schedule and calendar of pharmacy management: inventories, reports and orders.
• Guide Pharma Mission and Medical Coordinator in the construction of the medical and paramedical orders by ensuring compliance with the procedures. S/he ensures validation after discussion with TESACO.
• Provide technical support for pharmacy staff when needed, in collaboration with the MSM’s.
• During medical orders (regular or not), do an adequate revision of consumptions and quantities, being acquainted of alerts and big deviations without proper justification. S/he will conduct an oversight of main items and pre-identified sentinel products.   
• In collaboration with the Supply Unit, the Mission Pharma and the Medical Coordinator, make sure that medical orders are done in time and that the different steps are properly followed.
• Partake, together with the TESACOs, in the Annual Medical Budget production and its revision, based on stock composition, needs and medical activities.
• Ensure adequate management and follow-up of pharmacy incidents together with missions and referents: cold chain rupture, expired/damaged, defective batches, etc.
• Collaborate closely with Finances Department (Mission & Cell) for follow-up of the medical budget, and with Logistics (Mission & Cell) for supply issues.
• Make sure that medical equipment orders are done yearly according to the needs.   

Implementation in collaboration with Medcos of policies and plans.

• Support TESACO and the mission in ensuring the availability and update of mission core documents like medical policies (LHS and IMS health policy, medical evacuation plans) and Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) 
• Contribute to implementation of the annual operational plan in the projects within portfolio, according to medical policies.

Other tasks and responsibilities:

• Participate in regular meetings of Operational Cell and any other upon request by TESACO.
• Provide support to headquarters, international and other staff, for example through briefings/debriefings
• Contribute to the revision of PIF or private donors reports as per need.
• Accompany and frame the documentation of the projects for which he is in charge through regular reports.

To note that validation and accountability of all these tasks lays on the TESACO.
Unexpected situations or emergencies could require specific occasional support that will be validated by the concerned TESACO upon evaluation of its impact on on-going regular tasks and activities. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Qualified Medical Doctor or Nurse with experience in pharmacy management.
• At least 2 years field experience with MSF, preferably at Coordination level.
• Experience in pharmacy management. 
• Previous experience in emergency interventions would be an asset.
• English and French are mandatory.
• Basic computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet.
• Knowledge of pharmacy tools (Isystock), International Medical Order procedures and medical data software (HMIS) is a must.
• Flexibility with working hours.

CONDITIONS

• Based in Dakar at the Médecins Sans Frontières OCBA decentralized Office with travel to the fields 20% of the time.
• Full-time job.
• Commitment: Minimum commitment of 3 years. 
• Annual gross salary: HQ-11 Level based on Dakar (HQ) Salary Scale. 
• Practical working conditions while in the field are as per the MSF-OCBA guideline. 
• Starting date: June 2025.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.
• Closing date: May 14th, 2025, 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

MSF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

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. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks. 

Médecins Sans Frontières, as a responsible employer, under the¨Ley General de la Discapacidad de 2013 (LGD)¨ invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above-mentioned position.