HEAD OF EMERGENCY UNIT (REUE) (BASED IN BARCELONA)

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.

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.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND JOB ENVIROMENT

Directly reporting to the Direction of Operations, the Head of the Emergency Unit (REUE) is responsible for “driving” the OCBA emergency interventions in accordance with the organization’s Operational Policy

S/he leads emergency interventions in contexts where OCBA is not present, and/or follows up, supports or organizes emergency interventions in existing OCBA missions overseen by the rest of OCBA Operational Cells (currently situated in Amman, Barcelona, Bogotá, Dakar and Nairobi). This is always in coordination with the respective Heads of Operational Cells (RECO) and Direction of Operations. When decided by Director of Operations, he/she can assume direct management of emergency interventions in the afore mentioned missions.

The Emergency Unit is currently managing interventions in Gaza (OPT), Sudan, Chad and Ukraine.

S/he is responsible for the Emergency Unit (EU), a matrix-like “team set-up” integrating members linked through functional or hierarchical lines to the different services or departments of MSF OCBA as the basis for direct support and guidance to emergency interventions. The EU is made up of the REUE, one Health Advisor, one Health Advisor Support, one Logistics Advisor, one HR advisor, one Operational Finances Advisor, and around 20 emergency coordinators or technical profiles belonging to the emergency pool normally deployed in the field. 

TASKS (BY RESPONSIBILITY)

1. Responsible for the Operational Centre’ emergency preparedness and its timely and appropriate emergency response in line with the strategic orientation of the MSF OCBA Operational Policy.

• As the sectional reference for emergencies (priority pillar in OCBA), spearheads overall emergency dynamics in Operations
• Reviews, proposes and implements organisational strategies for the strengthening of the Operational Centre’s emergency preparedness and capacity at mission, regional and Headquarters level.
• Ensures follow-up of crises and high-risk contexts, detecting potential emergencies in contexts where OCBA is not present and stimulates reactivity in contexts with OCBA presence.
• Defines the justification and relevance of emergency interventions, guaranteeing compliance with the Operational Policy.
• Submits proposals for approval for new interventions to the Emergency Committee.

2. Ensures support and supervision for all aspects of management of  exploratory missions, assessments and emergency interventions.

• Coordinates on planning, implementation and follow-up of exploratory missions and supports, when requested, the planning and implementation of exploratory missions or assessments by existing MSF OCBA missions.
• Oversees the different phases of emergency interventions (design, planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, appropriation of lessons learned).
• Reviews and approves within the Emergency Unit, the annual operational plan and required resources for presentation to the Operations Department
• Promotes, supports and supervises the emergency preparedness and response of the missions.
• Coordinates and facilitates with the Department of Human Resources (HR) the follow-up of expatriate, regional and national staff deployed in the emergency interventions.
• Selects, coordinates and manages (support, follow-up and evaluation) the OCBA pool of emergency coordinators, available through the HQs or based in the regional emergency teams.
• In coordination with EU members, ensures updated databases for the emergency interventions under their responsibility. 

3. Ensures adequate security management through support and supervision for these exploratory missions and interventions in line with the security policy, rules and guidelines of MSF OCBA.

• Is the reference for the emergency coordinators regarding security management in their missions and ensures compliance with the general security policy in MSF-OCBA

4. Responsible for the planning and management of the assigned Emergency Unit Team.

• Coordinates the Emergency Unit Team to ensure that operational objectives be achieved.
• Organises regular internal formal communication and ensures timely decision-making involving all members of the Unit according to their respective responsibilities
• Encourages, supports and supervises all the members for assuming their respective responsibilities and the timely implementation of their respective tasks.

5. Represents MSF OCBA at MSF international level for coordination on MSF emergency preparedness and interventions.

• Represents the MSF OCBA emergency interventions towards the equivalent Emergency Desks of the other Operational Centres.
• Participates in periodic and ad hoc inter-section meetings for inter-section strategic review and operational coordination on emergency capacity, preparedness and response.

6. Participates in reflection on positioning and the role of MSF OCBA regarding humanitarian crises and related dilemmas and in reviewing the MSF OCBA Operational Priorities.

• Participates in the reflection on positioning and the role of MSF OCBA with regard to humanitarian crises and related dilemmas through organizing, promoting and participating in debates, analyses and reflection exercises both within the Unit, corresponding missions and other spheres in the executive body requiring operational input.
• Participates in inter-departmental and executive processes and dynamics relating to MSF-OCBA’s operationality and development.
• Contributes to reviewing the MSF OCBA’s Operational Policy based on evaluation of the implementation of this policy and the evolution of humanitarian challenges.

7. Represents MSF OCBA towards external actors (media, international organizations, NGOs, institutions, donor agencies) regarding emergency interventions managed by the Emergency Unit.

• Represents MSF OCBA towards the media on context specific humanitarian issues and on the operations of the missions of the assigned portfolio. When justified, coordinates with input and validation from the Operations Director on the content of public messages regarding such context specific humanitarian issues and/or the operations of these missions.
• Represents MSF OCBA towards international organizations, NGOs, institutions and donors, for positioning on humanitarian crises, inter-agency operational coordination and for fundraising.

8. Participates in the review and planning of the functioning of the Department of Operations of MSF OCBA

• Contributes in the Operations Department’s organization, setting of objectives and planning.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Training and experience

• Degree from University or Higher Institute (social sciences, political sciences, economy, judicial sciences, medicine, nursing, bio-medical sciences)
• Minimum 3 years MSF experience in positions of coordination of emergencies, previous experience in other operations senior manager position (field and HQ) is an asset.
• Highly knowledgeable of and interested in the international humanitarian context.
• Fluent in English and French. Spanish is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of Windows setting as a user (mainly Word and Excel).

Others

• Availability to travel frequently and on short notice.
• Flexibility with working hours.

CONDITIONS

• Position based in Barcelona Headquarters with travel to the projects at least 30% of the time.
• Full time position
• Minimum commitment with the position of 3 years
• Annual Gross Salary: level HQ-6 -  57,742€  (divided in 12 monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy.
• Starting date: ASAP

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, all applicants should please attach their CV and cover letter over the application process
• Closing date: May 12th 2024 at 23:59 hours CET (Central European Time).Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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 article 38 of “Ley de Integración Social del Minusválido de 1982 (LISMI)” invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above-mentioned position