Deputy Program Manager / Deputy Program Manageress

Context & Mission

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization dedicated to providing care to individuals in need, particularly those affected by natural or man-made disasters and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, or political affiliation (MSF Charter). The MSF movement operates through five operational centers supported by 24 sections and offices worldwide. MSF Operational Center Geneva (MSF OCG) is one of these hubs.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Deputy Program Manager (ARP) to join Cell 4. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Deputy Program Manager will play a pivotal role in guiding MSF's operations within Cell 4. This role is essential for contributing to operational decision-making and ensuring the relevance, timeliness, and quality of MSF's assistance. The Deputy Program Manager will support operational planning, resource mobilization, program monitoring, security, and advocacy while supervising and assisting Heads of Mission. This central operational position serves as a crucial link between missions and headquarters, ensuring effective information flow, coherent HQ support, and a shared understanding of operational priorities across OCG. Additionally, the role will enhance the internal visibility of programs and foster critical reflections on operational challenges and MSF's social mission.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Ensure the overall relevance, timeliness, and quality of MSF’s assistance to populations in danger within selected countries, in accordance with the Charter, the Chantilly / La Mancha agreements, and OCG operational policy.
• Steer the operations planning cycle, ensuring compliance with internal processes and the effective mobilization of resources to support operational objectives.
• Identify key medical and humanitarian issues within each mission, prioritize them, and advocate for necessary actions through documentation and communication.
• Build and maintain a network of relevant political, humanitarian, medical, and academic contacts to enhance team knowledge in the field, particularly in tense contexts.
• Monitor risk exposure for field teams and validate security frameworks proposed by Heads of Mission for each project.
• Supervise, advise, support, and evaluate Heads of Mission in fulfilling their responsibilities, providing relevant information, and visiting missions during key moments.
• Organize optimal headquarters support for field operations by leveraging the expertise and input of different departments.
• Monitor program implementation and mission effectiveness by analyzing reports and providing constructive feedback; ensure timely operational reporting.
• Continuously improve MSF's medical assistance by evaluating outcomes, leading thematic working groups on intervention strategies, and contributing to training modules for coordinators.

Your Profile

Education

University-level degree in international relations, social sciences, medicine, public health, a paramedical field, or equivalent professional experience.

Experience

Experience in humanitarian aid, ideally as an MSF Head of Mission or Emergency Coordinator. Previous experience as a Medical Coordinator is beneficial. Expertise in managing unstable contexts and crisis situations is essential, along with an interest in the medical, social, economic, and political dimensions of countries affected by humanitarian crises.

Languages

Fluency in English and French is mandatory; knowledge of a third language is an asset.

Skills / Professional Competencies

• Strong representation and negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic planning and orientation skills.
• Ability to analyze humanitarian contexts and understand medical issues and MSF intervention strategies.
• Capacity to design and plan medical programs, build networks, motivate teams, and delegate tasks effectively.
• Excellent writing skills.

Personal Abilities / Qualities

• Dynamic, flexible, and proactive with strong decision-making skills.
• Highly developed analytical and synthesis skills with clear priorities.
• Exceptional stress-management abilities.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills.
• Participative management style.

Terms of Employment

• Full-time position (100%, 40 hours/week)
• 3-year contract, renewable once.
• Location: Based in Geneva, with frequent international travel.
• Ideal start date: December 1, 2026.
• Paid vacation: 25 days per year, pro-rata, plus Swiss public holidays within the contract period.
• Pension plan: 3/4 contribution by MSF and 1/4 by the employee.
• Relocation support available for eligible candidates.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online using the form below. Please ensure your application includes a CV (maximum 2 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 1 page). Documents should be submitted in English or French.

The application deadline is October 31, 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier if we receive a sufficient number of quality applications. All applications will be treated confidentially, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please note that we do not wish to use the services of recruitment or placement agencies.