Operations Coordinator

The Operations Coordinator is responsible for the overall vision, strategy and operational coherence of the programmes under their cell portfolio within MSF Operational Centre Brussels. The role involves supporting complex operational environments including security management, access negotiation, advocacy, and strategic decision-making in collaboration with country teams and headquarters departments.

Responsibilities

• Develop the strategic vision for each country together with the Deputy Coordinator of Operations, the Medical Officer, the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator) and the Medical Coordinators, with input from the Medical and Analysis departments
• Guide country teams throughout the operational cycle: planning, running and landing/closing projects
• Finalise key operational process milestones with country teams, including the Multiyear/Annual Review of Operations (MY‑ARO), Quarterly Monitoring Meetings (QMM), OPS Snapshots, new project intentions and final project proposals (formerly COPRO)
• Maintain an overall view of operational implementation together with other cell members and the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator)
• Select design and support teams in line with the Operation Decision-Making Process document
• Foster a transversal support dynamic to strengthen the quality of the support to the operations
• Coach and mentor the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator) in their responsibility for project implementation
• Represent the programmes in your portfolio within the MSF International network and externally, and represent the cell to external actors
• Ensure effective internal information flow between Countries of Operations, the cell, OCB departments, OCB sections and other OCs
• Ensure that projects have a pertinent advocacy strategy
• Identify important topics for communication (and/or support the programmes to do so)
• Ensure proper management of HR, Logistics (including logistics strategy), budgeting and internal control within the programmes in your portfolio
• Hold overall budget responsibility for the programmes in your portfolio
• Act as the final responsible for security within the programmes in your portfolio
• Participate in the recruitment, management and evaluation of the Head of Programmes (Country Coordinator)
• Participate in the recruitment of the members of your cell
• Evaluate the cell (medical, HR, logistics, finance) together with the concerned middle manager
• Represent the cell in various intersectional platforms (DRC interdesk, etc)
• Support programmes and the cell in fostering safeguarding within the portfolio
• Ensure a structured handover and smooth transition of the portfolio, maintaining continuity of support to country teams and clarity on operational accountability during the initial phase of the assignment

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum 7 years in a management role within an international humanitarian organisation
• Minimum 5 years of international MSF experience in different Operational contexts, including at least 3 years as Country Coordinator, Medical Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator
• Working experience in Central Africa Region is mandatory
• Excellent strategic vision
• Strong leadership capacities, team management skills, able to make choices and assume decisions
• Planning and organizing skills including setting priorities and organization
• High level of maturity in interpersonal relationships, flexibility in travel & working hours
• Networking and Building Relationships (Representation) skills
• Negotiation skills
• Strong cultural awareness
• Proficient level in French and English, written and spoken is mandatory

Skills

• Operations Management
• Strategic Planning
• Team Management
• Decision Making
• Project Coordination
• Security Management
• Access Negotiations
• Advocacy
• Networking
• Relationship Building
• Negotiation
• Cultural Awareness
• Program Strategy
• Operational Coherence
• Humanitarian Operations Liaison
• Country Coordination
• Emergency Coordination
• Medical Coordination
• French
• English

Languages

French, English