Background of MSF in Libya:
Medécins Sans Frontières (MSF) as an organization has been present in Libya since 2011 delivering direct medical care and medical support to health facilities and migrant centres across the country.
The widespread violence and unrest over the past 5 years has resulted in the mass exodus of many health workers; health facilities have experienced shortages of supplies and drugs; and there is now a near breakdown of the health system. In the past few years, MSF has been able to support medical programming in places such as Zawiyah, Yefren, Zuwara and Jaddu through donations of drugs and medical materials, including kits to treat war-wounded, and delivering psychological support to people suffering from physical and mental health trauma related to conflict. In 2015, MSF presence has expanded to Al Bayda, Al Abyar, Benghazi, Misrata and Zuwara where MSF is supporting hospitals and clinics with drugs, medical supplies, staffing and training.
In addition to violence, in the Libyan crisis has included hundreds of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers passing through Libya on the way to seek refuge in Europe. This population is particularly vulnerable to the instability and has been the target of extortion and abuse. MSF has implemented programming including primary health care and the distribution of non-food items in order to restore baseline health conditions and the dignity of this population.
Background of this specific job recruitment:
In light of the evolving context and expanding needs in Libya, MSF-OCA (operational center based in Amsterdam) is starting up a new mission in Libya based in Tripoli, with a focus on the health needs of migrant populations living in the city, as well as potential engagement with the conflict-affected host population. Programming is expected start with the delivery of primary health care services, including mental health, but has the potential to expand based on assessments and findings once the team is on the ground. It is expected that MSF-OCA will collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other local partners in order to effectively implement new programming.
Main purpose of Position
Is responsible for MSF operational (medical) response in the Country/Mission. Defines the mission operational strategy in collaboration with the Operational cell. Leads plans and coordinates MSF programs in the mission, including identification of new humanitarian challenges. Represents and defends MSF ’s interests before third parties, according to the organization’s charter, policies, and ethics as well as international and national laws and regulations, in order to develop and effectively implement all the programmes and projects in the mission. Responsible for context analysis and security management in order to enable programming.
Accountabilities of Position
· Be responsible for representing MSF at national level and defending its interests before local authorities, other NGO’s or international institutions, military organizations, other MSF sections, other humanitarian organizations and media, to guarantee an active positioning and a good public image in and outside of the country.
o Is responsible for negotiating/facilitating access, collaborations and agreements between MSF and local authorities and institutions.
o Is responsible for developing and integrating an internal and external communication policy for the mission, performing external communication actions to media when required.
o Is responsible for monitoring the political, security, humanitarian and health situation of the country in collaboration with other management team members.
· Is responsible for monitoring and analyzing the political, security and humanitarian issues at stake, and the health situation across the country and surrounding countries through established contacts with key persons/institutions and carrying out exploratory missions in order to identify potential fields of intervention.
o Is accountable for properly studying data collected from the field, detecting population’s needs.
o Is responsible for analyzing the context (and the consequences of an intervention of MSF), evaluating risks and constraints, and setting priorities.
o Is responsible for drawing-up project proposals and provide response to emergencies taking into account the points above and submitting them to Headquarters for approval.
o Is responsible to produce, together with teams in the projects, and submit all requested operational reports, and ensures keeping them properly filed and updated.
o Is responsible to conduct an active and continuous monitoring of potential emergencies in the Country/Mission.
· Be accountable and supervise the implementation of projects and programs and evaluate their evolution, final results and achievements ensuring that organization’s technical and ethical standards are followed and objectives are achieved.
o Is responsible for leading, briefing/debriefing, providing coaching, evaluating, identifying training needs and supporting the coordination/mission and project team.
o Is accountable for the progress made and submits reorientation strategies to Headquarters when necessary.
o Is accountable for ensuring a proper control of financial indicators and mission budget.
o Is responsible for ensuring coordination of actions with other MSF sections/ partners in the mission-country/region.
· Be accountable for the proper plan, size, and coordination of all resources (human, material and financial) needed in the mission in order to enhance overall performance of the mission and the projects carried out.
o Is accountable for a proper implementation of HR management policies by HRCo and cell based HR referent, according to vision, policies and values.
o Is responsible for the coordination of the Country Management Team (CMT)
o Is accountable to ensure that all technical responsible within the CMT grant a proper organization of needs, working schedules and decision-making processes.
o Is responsible to ensure the FinCo coordinates an active search of local funds while controlling expenditures, budgeting and purchases.
· Be accountable for supervising the rational use of means and resources to carry out projects and programs.
· Be responsible to ensure information flow and reporting to Headquarters.
· Be responsible to define and ensure implementation of mission’s security policies and protocols, aligned to globalMSF policy, to ensure safety of staff across the mission. In this sense, the Head of Mission has the ultimate responsibility of all security aspects of the mission.
o Is responsible for analyzing external risks and threats to staff security.
o Is responsible for keeping staff and headquarters informed and updated of events and issues related to this matter.
o Is accountable for ensuring involvement, motivation and monitoring of staff on security practices.
Requirements
Education
· Essential: University degree. Particularly in medicine, public health, paramedical or the field of international relations is a plus.
· Desirable: degree in project management or HR management.
Experience
· Essential: previous experience with MSF or another reputable NGO.
· Essential: working experience in Middle East/Arabic/North African context.
· Essential: analyzing and managing security in a complex security setting.
· Essential: at least THREE years in management positions in humanitarian aid.
· Desirable: managing medical programs.
Languages/Profile
· Essential: English + Arabic languages (spoken + written)
· Desirable: Given the security context, specific interest in persons with Middle Eastern/North African background and non-Caucasian
Knowledge
· Essential: Computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
Competencies
· Strategic vision
· Leadership
· Networking
· Cross Cultural awareness
· Security awareness and management
HOW TO APPLY:
How to apply
To apply, all applicants should please send their CV and cover motivation letter with a photograph included, under the reference “Head of Mission ”to: Libyarecruitment@amsterdam.msf.org
Please submit your CV and cover letter in ONE file and name the file with your LAST NAME
Closing date: April 3th 2016
Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates
Conditions
- Position based in Tripoli (Libya)
- 12 months of temporary contract with possible extension at the end of the period according to internal analysis
- Salary will be in accordance with our international remuneration system, based on previous experience on similar positions and country of residence
- Housing and other secondary benefits are based on MSF OCA Reward Policy.
- Starting date: Immediately
