Rationale/Objective for Position

The Deputy General Director (DGD) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the MSF Eastern Africa Section, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, and fostering a collaborative and effective organizational culture. 

The job holder is responsible for ensuring the effective development and implementation of the MSF EA strategic plan, annual plan, monitoring & evaluation, innovation, risk & compliance for the Section including management of key organizational functions like EDI & Safeguarding, Access & Security Analysis, duty of care & solidarity (where applicable), and Executive Management. Moreover, s/he is responsible to ensure effective staff hosting management in line with policies/frameworks/procedures in place.

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the General Director.

Tasks & Responsibilitie

Strategic Responsibilities

Oversee the development and implementation of the Section´s strategic plan, ensuring alignment with mission and goals.

Lead the implementation of any necessary follow up, evaluation and monitoring of strategy implementation.

As a member of MT, actively participate in all strategic discussions and overall ambitions of the Section.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Leadership

Lead the preparation and monitoring of the annual plan and ensure its alignment with MSF’s global priorities and regional needs. (SPARC)

Ensure appropriate frameworks and systems are in place for effective governance and decision-making.

Provide strategic oversight of Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure evidence-based decision-making, continuous learning, and accountability in MSF EA.

Lead the development and integration of innovative approaches, tools, and practices that enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of MSF EA’s activities.

Oversee organizational risk management and compliance by ensuring systems and controls are in place to identify, assess, and mitigate risks while upholding internal 

policies and legal obligations.

Support and work with the Management Team and the Extended Management Team to ensure operational efficiency, resource optimization, strengthening of policies and regulations. 

Provide leadership and expertise on specific topics as delegated by the General Director, such as humanitarian advocacy, capacity building, or innovation projects. 

Oversight of Specific Topics, Initiatives and Units

Oversee the implementation of the SPARC process to ensure strategic alignment, organizational learning, and adaptive planning across the Section.

Provide strategic oversight and institutional accountability for security and crisis management, ensuring robust frameworks,inter-sectional coordination, and effective leadership support during critical incidents.

Oversee and guide the EDI and Safeguarding unit, ensuring the effective integration of equity, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding principles across all levels of the organization.

Lead on Duty of Care to ensure organizational accountability and the effective implementation of policies and systems that protect the well-being and safety of all MSF EA stakeholders, including staff, patients, and communities.

Advise the Management Team on possible solidarity actions to be taken where applicable.

Provide oversight and coordination of the Common Hosting Frame to ensure harmonized implementation of inter-sectional standards, roles, and responsibilities across MSF EA, facilitating collaboration and efficient resource sharing.

Operational Support and Coordination

Support the Executive Manager in oversight and guidance operational support units, ensuring they deliver high-quality services to MSF missions and the MSF EA Section.

Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure efficient resource allocation and effective implementation of initiatives. 

Address challenges and risks proactively, proposing solutions to improve operational performance.

Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as diversity, equity, inclusion, safeguarding and security analysis are integrated into MSF EA’s strategies and operations.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Lead the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) to track organizational progress against strategic and operational goals and inform decision-making.

Lead Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks to assess the Section´s effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.

Prepare regular reports for the General Director and MSF EA governance bodies when required. 

Other Responsibilities

Compliance Assurance - Ensure that all data processing activities within the Eastern Africa section comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations, including the Data Protection Act, 2019 and support your team to receive necessary training in this area.

Policy Adherence - Enforce data protection policies, procedures, and guidelines within the Eastern Africa section, ensuring  tha tall members are aware of and adhere to these protocols.

Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation.

Recognize and reinforce strong performance in the MT team; identify and encourage improvement where needed; and ensure quality and timely performance management process is carried out for the MT team.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

A Minimum of 10 years of experience in leadership roles, preferably within the humanitarian, non-profit, or international development sector.

Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in social sciences, public health, business administration, Management, International Relations, or a related field.

Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary, multicultural teams

Proven partnership development expertise.

Proven ability to lead strategic planning, manage complexity and influence policy at senior levels.

Budgeting and resource allocation for large-scale, multi-country operations

Proven expertise in managing security in high-risk environments and complex humanitarian projects.

Understanding the MSF working environment is an asset.

High level of understanding of organizational issues; experience in working in a  regional hub or shared service centers is an added value.

 Fluency in English required.

Proficiency in additional languages (e.g., French, Arabic, Swahili) is an asset.

MSF or similar iNGO experience is desirable.

Competencies 

Technical Competencies

Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal.

High cultural competency and adaptability in diverse and complex environments.

Behavioral/General Competencies

Commitment to MSF’s mission, principles, and humanitarian values.

Excellent planner, organizer, coordinator and administrator 

Excellent computer skills 

Affinity and experience with Information Management

Punctual, pro-active and stress resistant.

Very good communication and representation/ networking abilities

High level of integrity and sound judgement.

Interest in the humanitarian sector. 

Understanding of the MSF working environment is an asset.

Commitment to MSF values and Principles.

Cross cultural awareness. 

Networking and building relationships capacities,

Result and Quality Orientation.