DMC & PHC REGIONAL TECHNICAL REFERENT (BASED IN DAKAR)

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, religion, 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 six operational directorates supported by more than 25 sections and offices worldwide. 

MAIN PURPOSES 

To provide technical and tactical expertise in Decentralized Models of Care (DMC) – including Community-Based Activities (CBA), mobile clinics, etc. – as well as Primary Health Care (PHC), so as to improve the quality of care in OCBA missions, ensuring evidence‑based, integrated and context‑appropriate medical support aligned with MSF standards. 

The role serves as a key function, providing flexible technical and clinical capacity to safeguard the continuity and quality of DMC and PHC services, assess and stabilise programme activities, strengthen DMC and PHC interventions, train staff, and implement patient‑safety-oriented improvement plans. 

JOB OVERVIEW 

The DMC-PHC Support Technician ensures the quality, coherence and evolution of DMC-PHC activities across OCBA projects. The role supports projects medical staff in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating DMC and PHC services, designs adapted DMC and PHC activities, including the concept of continuum of care and referrals system from the communities to health facilities, as well as basic emergency care in the community (first aid). The position contributes to developing guidance, strengthening standard practices, promoting transversal collaboration with other components of the team and integrating new evidence into operational strategies. The Support Technician conducts field support visits, contributes to operational research, participates in intersectional related working groups/platforms as required, promotes networking and reinforces staff knowledge through briefings, training and technical follow‑up with specific projects team’s staff. The role ensures strategic alignment with OCBA priorities and supports innovation to improve access to health care through decentralization of and community-based care. The role may also provide temporary direct technical support to priority operations during periods of increased operational demand, transition, or reduced field capacity. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAIN TASKS 

1. Provide specialized DMC and PHC technical guidance to field teams to ensure evidence‑based and context‑adapted medical decision‑making (the position will be based in Dakar but will provide support to other countries outside Cell 2 portfolio, according to needs). 
2. Strengthen the quality of DMC and PHC programs by supporting the design, development, implementation and monitoring of protocols, tools and clinical standards, as well as all the processes involved in these activities. 
3. Monitor DMC and PHC performance indicators and field reports, providing feedback and recommendations to improve quality and consistency across missions. 
4. Conduct field visits – including emergency deployments – to assess and/or support in the design of DMC and PHC activities, train staff and develop actionable improvement plans. 
5. Collaborate with other Technical and Medical Advisors and Operational teams to ensure DMC and PHC is appropriately prioritised, safely delivered and realistically resourced within project strategies, annual plans and emergency responses.  
6. Collaborate as per request in the develop of tactical guidance and packages aimed at identifying and reducing gaps in the continuum of care. 
7. Act as a focal technical reference for project staff regarding patient safety and quality for DMC and PHC activities, ensuring that risks related to provision of care are proactively identified, mitigated and escalated. 
8. Coordinate with other DMC and PHC-oriented Advisors and specialists to ensure transversal and holistic support across medical domains. 
9. Contribute to external groups discussions as requested, representing OCBA interests and ensuring alignment with MSF-wide policies. 
10. Prepare and deliver presentations, training sessions and briefings/debriefings to reinforce DMC and PHC capacity among field staff. 
11. Provide functional support to relevant Mobile Implementer Officers (MIOs) when present, ensuring coherent and timely field assistance. 

ROLE’S SPECIFIC ELEMENTS 

• High frequency of international travel (up to 70% of time in the field), including to insecure or emergency contexts. 
• Contribution to interdepartmental dossiers (HR, learning, communication, etc.) when relevant. 
• Engagement in MSF international technical platforms when delegated. 
• The scope, intensity and focus of the role may be adjusted in line with operational priorities, emergency needs, and organisational capacity, while maintaining core responsibilities related to essential DMC and PHC support, patient safety and quality. 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

• Registered Nurse or Medical Doctor with experience in community-based health programmes such as DMC, CBC, iCCM, PHC or similar models.  
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in community health, primary health care or related activities, preferably in humanitarian settings and/or low-income countries.  
• Education and/or professional experience in Public Health, Global Health, Community Health Programmes, Tropical Medicine or Primary Health Care will be considered a strong asset.  
• Strong knowledge of primary and community health care, both from a theoretical and practical perspective.  
• Experience in training, mentoring and technical support of health teams, with strong communication and facilitation skills.  
• Fluency in French is mandatory. English and knowledge of other Sahel languages will be considered an asset.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word and PowerPoint). Experience with MSF HMIS databases or other health information systems will be considered an asset.  
• Ability to provide technical support and guidance to DMC teams across multiple missions, working effectively in multicultural and humanitarian environments. 

CONDITIONS 

• Position based in the MSF OCBA Dakar Unit (Dakar, Senegal).  
• Full-time position.  
• Benefit and remuneration package according to MSF OCBA Dakar Unit policies and salary scale (Level L12).  
• This is a structural position with an initial contract of 1 year, renewable based on organizational needs and performance.  
• Starting date: as soon as possible (ASAP).

HOW TO APPLY  

• To apply, please submit your CV in English or French and cover letter. 
• Closing date: 23rd June 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.