Apply Now: Project Coordinator Role at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) | Lead Critical Humanitarian Projects Worldwide
Apply Now: Project Coordinator Role at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) | Lead Critical Humanitarian Projects Worldwide
Apply Now: Project Coordinator Role at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) | Lead Critical Humanitarian Projects Worldwide. Apply now for the Project Coordinator position at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Oversee life-saving operations in crisis zones, manage diverse teams, and make a real impact on global humanitarian efforts. Minimum 6–12 months commitment required. Fluency in English and French is essential.
Table of Contents
Background & Job Description
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is a world-renowned humanitarian organization that delivers emergency medical aid in crisis settings such as armed conflict zones, epidemics, natural disasters, and areas with limited access to healthcare. The role of Project Coordinator is pivotal in planning, implementing, and evaluating MSF’s field projects.
As a Project Coordinator, you will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage humanitarian projects from exploration to execution, and ensure the highest standards of care are delivered under challenging conditions. You’ll act as the primary liaison between MSF and local authorities, manage human and financial resources, and bear ultimate responsibility for safety and operational continuity.
The role offers a rewarding, albeit demanding, opportunity to contribute meaningfully to MSF’s mission. It’s suited for experienced professionals ready to work in unstable environments where leadership, adaptability, and empathy are crucial.
Tasks
Project Coordinators at MSF shoulder a wide array of responsibilities:
- Operational Management: Lead all aspects of project planning, implementation, and monitoring. Ensure cohesion between medical, logistics, HR, and finance teams.
- Team Leadership: Supervise multidisciplinary teams that can exceed 100 staff members, often in volatile and multicultural environments.
- Security Oversight: Assess and mitigate risks, establish safety protocols, and make critical decisions in emergency contexts.
- Financial Oversight: Manage project budgets, financial reporting, and procurement in compliance with MSF standards.
- Representation and Advocacy: Liaise with local authorities, NGOs, and community representatives to ensure MSF’s work is well-integrated and respected.
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Ensure quality of services and continuous learning from project outcomes for improved impact.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- A relevant university degree is preferred (e.g., humanitarian affairs, project management, public health, or international relations), though not mandatory if the applicant has strong field experience.
Experience
- Significant professional experience in team and project management within humanitarian or nonprofit organizations.
- Proven leadership in multicultural and multidisciplinary team settings.
- Hands-on experience in security management, especially in conflict zones or emergency responses.
- Strong diplomatic, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in politically sensitive environments.
- Experience in coordinating multi-sector humanitarian responses, especially involving health care, is an added advantage.
Additional Information
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English and French (minimum B2 in both) is mandatory.
- Knowledge of Arabic, Spanish, or Portuguese is considered an asset but not required.
Commitment & Availability
- A minimum commitment of 6 to 12 months is required.
- Willingness to undertake multiple field assignments with MSF is highly encouraged.
MSF Core Competencies
- Behavioral Flexibility (Level 2): Adapts quickly to complex and evolving scenarios.
- Teamwork and Cooperation (Level 2): Promotes collaboration across sectors.
- Result and Quality Orientation (Level 2): Maintains high standards of operational output.
- Commitment to MSF Principles (Level 1): Embodies humanitarian ethics.
- People Management (Level 2): Encourages team development and feedback.
- Cross-Cultural Awareness (Level 3): Navigates intercultural sensitivities effectively.
- Stress Management (Level 2): Maintains performance in high-pressure environments.
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI Awareness Level 1): Demonstrates understanding of inclusivity in crisis response.
Explore MSF Competency Framework
Explore MSF Career Paths
Security and Risk Considerations
MSF acknowledges that work in conflict zones and emergency settings comes with inherent risks. Project Coordinators must be prepared for unpredictable and potentially dangerous environments.
MSF has robust security protocols and risk mitigation frameworks in place, but individuals must perform personal risk assessments before accepting assignments. A video outlining MSF’s approach to safety and security is available:
Watch How MSF Manages Field Security
Failure to comply with security rules may result in dismissal, underscoring the seriousness of the role.
Terms of Employment
- Employment Type: Full-time, fixed-term assignment
- Contract Duration: Typically 6–12 months, with extensions possible
- Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, international medical insurance, paid leave, pre-departure training, and psychosocial support during and after assignments
- Professional Development: Ongoing opportunities for growth into medical, non-medical, and coordination roles. MSF encourages multiple assignments for career progression.
Read More About MSF Terms of Employment
Final Thoughts
Serving as a Project Coordinator with MSF is not merely a job—it’s a commitment to humanity. You’ll face long hours, high stress, and austere living conditions. However, you’ll also experience the profound impact of standing with vulnerable communities in their most difficult moments.
Whether it’s managing a mobile clinic in a conflict zone or ensuring clean water systems after a disaster, your work will have tangible, life-saving outcomes. More than anything, you’ll be part of a powerful message: “You are not forgotten.”
How to Apply
If you’re ready to take on this transformative and high-impact role, visit the official application page:
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Disclaimer
This post is a third-party summary of an open opportunity at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). We are not affiliated with MSF. Always refer to the official MSF website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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