DEPUTY OPERATIONS MANAGER - CELL 3 (BASED IN BARCELONA)

GENERAL CONTEXT 

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organisation, 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, religion, creed or political affiliation. 

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 an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF. 

The MSF movement is built around six operational directorates supported by MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by project teams and the mission coordination teams, together with the organisational units based in Barcelona, and decentralised in Amman, Bogota, Dakar, and Nairobi. The operations are guided and supported by five Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations 

JOB OVERVIEW 

The Deputy Operations Manager supports the Operations Manager in defining strategic orientations, overseeing mission planning and implementation, and ensuring the effective functioning of Operational Cell 3. The role contributes to contextual analysis, operational decision‑making, knowledge management, emergency preparedness and response, and coordination across technical and support departments. Acting as a key sparring partner, the position strengthens operational coherence, quality, relevance, accountability and impact of interventions across the assigned portfolio. In the absence of the Operations Manager, the role ensures continuity of leadership and coordination of the Cell. 

MAIN PURPOSE 

Support the definition and implementation of operational strategies and ensure the effective functioning of Operational Cell 3, contributing to the design, coordination and supervision of high‑impact medical‑humanitarian operations aligned with MSF principles and policies. 

RESPONSABILITIES AND TASKS 

• Contribute to organisational and operational strategy by supporting analysis, reflection and positioning on humanitarian crises and dilemmas to inform decision‑making. 
• Support the definition of operational strategies for missions by conducting contextual analyses and ensuring alignment with MSF operational policies. 
• Coordinate and consolidate mission planning and budgeting processes to ensure coherence between annual operational plans, priorities and allocated resources. 
• Supervise and support the implementation of operational plans to ensure quality, relevance, accountability and impact of interventions responding to population needs. 
• Coordinate operational support across technical and support services to ensure integrated and timely assistance to missions. 
• Strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity within the assigned portfolio through monitoring, guidance and coordination. 
• Ensure effective functioning of the Operational Cell by supporting coordination, communication and decision‑making processes. 
• Promote information and knowledge management by ensuring documentation, learning and capitalisation processes (including evaluations and close collaboration with the learning unit) are applied and maintained. 

ROLE’S SPECIFIC ELEMENTS 

• Acts as deputy to the Operations Manager and replaces them in their absence. 
• Supports security management in coordination with logistics and security advisors. 
• Contributes to advocacy, communication and positioning strategies related to operations. 
• Facilitates coordination with decentralised units and emerging MSF entities. 
• Supports development of national staff and gender equality strategies in collaboration with HR. 
• Supports the implementation of transversal processes (Behaviour, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Patient Centred Approach) 
• Assures gap-filling of senior coordination positions in his/her portfolio 
• Participate proactively in Interdesk meetings. 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

• University degree in a relevant field such as Medicine, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Economics, or a related discipline. 
• Minimum of 3 years of operational management experience within MSF, including direct responsibility at coordination or mission level. 
• Previous experience as Head of Mision is required. 
• Proven experience in emergency response contexts, including the ability to operate in volatile, high‑pressure environments. 
• Strong knowledge of and interest in the international humanitarian context and MSF principles. 
• Fluent in French and English (both written and spoken) is required. Spanish is an asset. 
• Availability and willingness to travel frequently and at short notice. 
• Flexibility to adapt to demanding working conditions and irregular working hours. 

CONDITIONS 

• Position based in Barcelona with travel to the projects at least 30% of the time. 
• Full-time position. 
• Annual Gross Salary: level HQ-5 (divided in 12 monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy. Subjected to local conditions. 
• Duration: Mandated position with minimum 3-year moral commitment, with a maximum term of 6 years. 
• Starting date: As soon as possible. 

HOW TO APPLY  

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.
• Closing date: 11th May 2026, 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.