GENERAL DIRECTOR MSF PORTUGAL

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which 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, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, creed or political affiliation.

At its core, MSF is a civil society initiative, bringing together individuals committed to assisting other human beings in crisis. Each individual working with MSF does so out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF. The global MSF movement is built around seven operational directorates supported by more than 25 sections and offices worldwide.

We believe that diverse backgrounds, lived experiences and perspectives strengthen our organization and our humanitarian action.

ABOUT THE JOB

Since 2018, through a partnership between MSF-Spain and MSF-Brazil, MSF established an office in Portugal and has been driving its presence in the country, recognizing its enormous potential to add significant value in the short, medium, and long term to the operational and institutional development of the organization. The purpose of the Portuguese office is to recruit international mobile staff for MSF’s humanitarian projects worldwide, to raise awareness about humanitarian crises and to raise funds to help people living in the midst of these crises. This effort culminated in the endorsement of MSF-Portugal as a Branch Office (BO) at MSF’s International General Assembly in 2020.

MSF Portugal’s strategic focus is on increasing diversification of income through a long-term investment fundraising strategy, on increasing brand visibility and awareness in Portugal, on achieving the commitment and support of Portuguese civil society and on maximizing the recruitment potential in Portugal for skilled and highly motivated staff.

MAIN PURPOSE

To lead our dynamic team in Lisbon and drive MSF Portugal’s vision forward, we are looking for a General Director with strong humanitarian values, a strategic, analytical, people- and growth-driven mindset, skills to represent MSF Portugal as a spokesperson and excellent leadership skills. The General Director autonomously oversees the operations of the office, in close collaboration with MSF-Spain and MSF-Brazil and is accountable to its Board. This role entails ensuring sound organizational governance, fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful work environment, and promoting coherence between MSF Portugal’s internal practices, institutional positioning and public engagement, including attention to issues related to equity, inclusion and structural inequalities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAIN TASKS

As a General Director at MSF Portugal, you will:

• Lead strategy and planning: define and implement the strategic vision in close collaboration with the MSF Brazil and MSF OCBA management teams, ensuring clarity and alignment with MSF’s principles and translating them into concrete annual plans, strategic documents, objectives and projects.

• Manage, inspire and lead your team: build, develop, and guide a high-performing team within a safe, diverse, inclusive and collaborative environment, upholding a strong commitment to safeguarding, equity and non-discrimination.

• Represent MSF in Portugal: act as MSF’s primary spokesperson ad representative for MSF Portugal in media, public and private institutions and other key stakeholders’ engagements, strengthening the organization’s visibility and institutional relationships.

• Represent MSF Portugal internationally / movement-wide: participate in key strategic and operational dossiers and represent MSF Portugal in movement-wide international platforms, working groups, and forums.

• Promote engagement and fundraising: lead the development and implementation of fundraising and public engagement strategies, securing fundraising and raising awareness for MSF’s mission.

• Ensure effective governance and operational excellence: guarantee legal compliance, rigorous financial management, and organizational integrity, upholding the highest standards of governance and transparency for MSF Portugal including accountability for ethical standards, equity, and inclusive institutional practices.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and resilient leader with a deep commitment to MSF’s humanitarian mission.

Proven Experience and Leadership

• Qualification in Business Administration, Humanities, or similar field.
• Proven experience in senior management and/or coordination positions, with profound knowledge of MSF.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute organizational growth strategies, showing strategic vision and financial acumen.
• Essential knowledge of Portuguese society and market.
• Ability to connect MSF with Portuguese civil society, increasing its support and recognition.
• Indispensable fluency in Portuguese and English (spoken and written).
• Knowledge of Spanish is a plus.
• Excellent communication and networking skills, with proven experience in representation and acting as a spokesperson.
• Ability to inspire, mentor, and build strong teams, with exceptional leadership and people management skills.
• Proven capacity to lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion agendas, with an understanding of structural inequalities, discrimination and power dynamics.

Values and mindset

• A strong commitment to MSF’s humanitarian values.
• A resilient, adaptable mindset, comfortable leading in a changing and flexible operating environment.
• Results and quality orientation, analytical thinking, service orientation, planning and organizing, and teamwork and cooperation.
• Commitment to being an ally, advocate, and driver of positive change across contexts with varying levels of institutional maturity on DEI.

WHY JOIN MSF PORTUGAL?

Joining MSF Portugal as General Director is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to exercise leadership with purpose and real impact:

• Make a Difference: Your leadership will directly contribute to MSF’s global humanitarian mission, supporting millions of people in need worldwide.
• Lead Growth and Innovation: You will have the opportunity to guide a young and dynamic organization in Portugal to its next phase of development, shaping its future and expanding its impact.
• Work with Passionate Professionals: You will join a committed, active, and professional team, part of the world’s largest international, independent medical humanitarian organization.
• Impact on Civil Society: You will have the chance to engage deeply with Portuguese civil society, building bridges and mobilizing support for vital humanitarian causes.

CONDITIONS

• Position based in Lisbon.
• Full-time position.
• Annual gross salary: € 45.965,88 (divided into 12 monthly payments), with additional benefits based on MSF Portugal Rewards Policy.
• Contract duration: Mandated position: Minimum 3-year commitment, with a maximum term of 6 years.
• Starting date: Beginning of May 2026.

HOW TO APPLY

If this challenging and rewarding opportunity has awakened your interest, we invite you to submit your application.

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.
• Closing date: February 25th, 2026, 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

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.