HEAD OF NAIROBI OPERATIONAL SUPPORT HUB (HNOSH) & DEPUTY HEAD OF OPERATIONAL CELL 5 BASED IN NAIROBI

GENERAL CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian action-driven 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. The MSF movement is built around six operational directorates supported by MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together worldwide.

PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION

The Head of the Nairobi Operational Support Hub (HNOSH) and deputy Desk position is a double hat position and has double line of management: on the one hand acts as deputy desk (deputy-RECO) of the regional cell (CO5) and reports to the responsible of the cell (RECO); on the other, works under the umbrella and management of the General Direction Office and reports to the OCBA Deputy General Director. He/she maintains co-creation & mutual accountability with operations, medical and other OCBA support departments and strategizes, partners and coordinates with different partners in Nairobi such as the General Director of the Eastern Africa Section (EAS). He/ She links with other sections to discuss opportunities and seeks for the mutualization of capacities and the creation of synergies in the support of operations. The HNOSH is responsible for strategic leadership, regional engagement, and operational support within East Africa.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

MSF OCBA works in operating environments characterised by violence and conflict and has a very strong emergency mind-set. The operational cell 5 portfolio has a strong focus on (but is not limited to) Eastern Africa and the Greater Horn of Africa, and the missions managed by the cell currently include: Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. The DRECO role provides continuous and consistent support to the Head of Operational Cell (RECO), to ensure the implementation of the portfolio’s plans in high quality standards and secure and safe environment. The DRECO will support the development of strategic planning that takes full account of the MSF OCBA strategic orientations and priorities. The DRECO will support the RECO and the missions to deal with key operational challenges.

Being part of the Nairobi Operational Cell 5, and, when needed, replaces the RECO in overall management and direction of the OC. The Operational Cell 5 is made up of a person in charge of the Cell (RECO), a deputy RECO, a health advisor (TESACO), a Health advisor support, a logistics advisor (TELOCO), a financial advisor (FINOCO), a human resource advisor (REHUCO), a Humanitarian Affairs Advisor and a Communication Advisor .

While being part of the cell managing and supporting the East Africa portfolio, as Head of Unit, he/she will seek best adapted support to field teams, manage support positions of unit (mobile support and/or advisory positions), encourage a multidisciplinary/transversal approach in its thinking and development, developing alliances with key stakeholders in the region and promoting mutualization and synergies with other MSFs present in Nairobi and East Africa.

As Head of Nairobi Unit, s/he is hierarchically under the Deputy DG1 and as Deputy RECO, s/he reports to the RECO who provides him/her with support, guidance, supervision and development of professional competences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As Head of Nairobi Operational Support Hub (under supervision of Deputy DG1) is responsible for:

• Representing MSF OCBA in Kenyan legal and institutional frameworks, ensuring compliance with national regulations governing NGOs and employers, in coordination with MSF EA.
• Ensuring the continuous development and evolution of OCBA`s Nairobi office as a cornerstone of MSF OCBA in East Africa.
• Defining and implementing the strategic vision and policies of the Nairobi Unit, ensuring alignment with OCBA’s operational priorities.
• Managing the functional and administrative operations of the Nairobi Hub, including budget oversight and compliance with Kenyan regulations and ensuring HR policies and staff development strategies align with OCBA’s broader objectives.
• Promoting humanitarian dialogues, workshops, and roundtables to strengthen MSF’s role in regional discussions.
• Leading advocacy and lobbying efforts with humanitarian actors to improve assistance and access to affected populations.
• Guarantying the influence, sound reputation, coherent identity image of MSF OCBA in front of external stakeholders.
• Strengthening regional partnerships and leveraging technical innovations relevant to humanitarian operations.
• Participating in key strategic institutional and operational discussions on medical and humanitarian challenges in the region.
• Representing MSF OCBA in external forums to enhance institutional influence, reputation, and engagement with regional stakeholders.
• Promoting synergies and collaboration with other MSF sections in the region to optimize resources and impact.
• Ensuring a conducive work environment in collaboration with the Eastern Africa Section (EAS), which hosts the Nairobi Unit.
• When required, as per OCBA’s executive governance rules, participating in the Full Management Team of OCBA and contributing regional insights to organizational decision-making.

As Deputy RECO, Operations Management and Support (under supervision of RECO):    

1.Operations Management and Support:

• Strategy & Analysis: Contribute to defining MSF OCBA's overall operational vision and strategies. Specifically, contribute to the context analysis and strategy definition for missions within the portfolio.
• Oversight & Quality: Review and ensure the quality of key documents and adherence to agreed strategies. Monitor and analyze mission reports (e.g., SitReps, Annual Reports) to organize discussions and feedback.
• Issue Resolution: Flag serious implementation issues and proactively identify practical solutions; ensure follow-up on programmatic quality issues by coordinating technical support.
• Planning & Decision Follow-up: Support the organization of the portfolio's annual planning and reviews and monitor the implementation of key management decisions.

2. Support of Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Emergency Support: Provide technical support to field teams across all phases of emergencies (from surveillance and preparation to planning, monitoring, evaluation, and closure).
• Strategy & Alignment: Define and support mission emergency response strategies, ensuring they align with OCBA's strategic orientations.
• Management Tools: Ensure the maintenance and timely update of key management tools, including security protocols, SitReps, reports, and budget follow-up.

3. Supervise and Support Departmental Functions

• Advisory Support (Logistics/Finance Focus): Provide support and direction to specific Cell Advisors, throughout the planning cycle and interventions, ensuring departmental activities align with both the cell's and OCBA's operational goals.
• Team Management: Be directly involved in the recruitment of Cell Advisors and conduct their performance evaluations and follow-up.

4. Coordination and Information Management

• Internal Coordination: Coordinate internal cell activities, including managing and facilitating portfolio planning meetings and events.
• Information Dissemination: Ensure key monitoring information is collated, analyzed, and disseminated to the appropriate team members.
• External Links: Work closely with other MSF OCBA departments (e.g., evaluations, fundraising) and manage transversal dossiers as required.
• Knowledge Transfer: Act as the focal person for project capitalization and evaluations, and carry out technical briefings and debriefings, identifying training needs.
• RECO Backup: Replace the RECO when necessary and assume other responsibilities as delegated.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Requirements:

• Significant operational experience in humanitarian fieldwork (MSF experience is an asset).
• Senior leadership and management experience at a strategic level (minimum 5 years).
• Strong understanding of the politics, social determinants, and humanitarian challenges in the East African region.
• Proven experience with regional networks, including civil society organizations, political entities, and humanitarian actors.
• Fluency in English and one additional language spoken in East Africa (e.g., Swahili, Arabic, Somali).
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to adapt to complex environments.
• Basic computer proficiency (Word, Excel, and related tools).

CONDITIONS

• Based in Nairobi, Kenya.
• Full time position.
• Annual Gross Salary: level HQ-5A (divided in 12 monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy. Subjected to local conditions.
• Duration: Minimum of 3-year moral commitment, with a maximum term of 6 years.
• Starting Date: March 2026.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.

• Closing date 28th December, 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.