Context & Mission
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides essential care to those in need, including individuals affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict. Our operations are carried out without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, or political affiliation, as outlined in the MSF Charter.
The General Director of MSF Switzerland / Operational Centre Geneva (OCG) serves as the organization’s highest executive authority, responsible for implementing its medical-humanitarian social mission in alignment with MSF’s Charter, values, humanitarian principles, and the guidance established by the General Assembly, Board of Directors, and OCG Congress.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide overall strategic leadership to ensure the effective delivery of MSF Switzerland / OCG’s social mission.
- Lead the development and monitoring of multi-year strategic ambitions in close collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Maintain ongoing strategic reflection on the challenges and dilemmas of medical-humanitarian action in a dynamic global environment.
- Appoint, lead, and evaluate the Management Team, ensuring strong cohesion and collective responsibility.
- Facilitate effective coordination between headquarters, hubs, and field operations, ensuring high-quality information is available for decision-making.
- Lead organizational risk analysis and ensure proper mitigation measures, particularly regarding staff security and incident management.
Governance, Accountability, and Risk Management
- Ensure consistent reporting on strategy implementation, organizational performance, risks, and challenges.
- Oversee risk analysis and mitigation, including safety and security management, with appropriate reporting to governance bodies.
- Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and MSF internal frameworks.
Financial Stewardship
- Oversee sound financial management practices, aligning with legal requirements and MSF guidelines.
- Incorporate financial considerations into strategic and operational decision-making at all levels.
Movement Leadership, Partnership, and External Representation
- Actively engage in the MSF Movement’s Executive Committee (Core-ExCom).
- Collaborate with General Directors of other Operational Centers to foster coherence and synergy across the Movement.
- Represent OCG in international discussions on humanitarian positioning and operational challenges while upholding OCG’s interests.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partner sections to integrate OCG within the MSF Movement.
- Act as a representative of MSF Switzerland / OCG to external stakeholders, including donors and media, in accordance with MSF principles.
People, Culture, Duty of Care, and Inclusion
- Ensure HR policies promote fair working conditions, staff well-being, and professional development.
- Establish effective mechanisms to prevent and address abuse, discrimination, and misconduct, adhering to MSF standards.
Your Profile
Education
- Advanced university degree in medicine, public health, humanitarian affairs, political science, management, or a related field, or equivalent senior-level professional experience.
- A medical or health-related background, or sustained engagement with medical-humanitarian action, is highly desirable.
- Strong alignment with MSF’s social mission, charter, and humanitarian principles, including a patient-centered approach.
Experience
- Extensive senior leadership experience in a large international non-profit organization within the humanitarian or medical-humanitarian sector.
- MSF experience is a significant asset.
- Experience in executive or senior management roles, demonstrating operational leadership in insecure environments.
- Proven ability to engage effectively with external stakeholders in politically sensitive contexts.
Languages
- Fluency in English and French; proficiency in Swiss German (or German) and/or Italian is an asset. Additional languages are a benefit.
Skills/Technical Competencies
- Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to guide diverse teams in complex, high-pressure environments.
- Strong strategic planning and organizational performance management abilities.
- Solid understanding of governance, compliance, and risk management practices.
- Proficient financial literacy at management level, including budget oversight.
Terms of Employment
- Full-time position (40 hours per week)
- Open-ended contract (mandated position, 3 years, renewable once)
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Ideal start date: August 2026
- Gross annual salary (for 100%): CHF 176,436 to CHF 188,052, commensurate with experience
- Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorated, plus Swiss public holidays during the contract period
- Pension plan: ¾ contribution covered by MSF, ¼ by the staff member
- Relocation package for those moving from abroad to Switzerland
- Frequent international travel, including field visits to conflict zones, with adjustments made based on personal circumstances
- This role requires high availability and flexibility, balanced with a commitment to personal well-being
How to Apply
Please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.