Context and challenges:
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a medical and humanitarian organization that intervenes in crisis situations and conflicts. In accordance with its charter, MSF provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters, and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed or political convictions.
The Operational Center of Paris (OCP) is the group composed of the four following MSF sections: American (US), Australian, Japanese & French. These four sections are united around a single operational project: the medical humanitarian action. The OCP is responsible for operations in about sixty projects in around 30 countries and for issues related to these operations: temoignage, communication, human resource management (about 2,000 international staff per year and 6000 national staff), financial management of operations, private and institutional fundraising... The four sections coordinate and provide specific support to the group's operations. The architecture and the functioning rules of the OCP are not yet finalized, they should be very soon. In 2011, the combined accounts of MSF (MSF Association, MSF Logistique, Epicentre, Fondation, EUP, MSF Assistance, SCI MSF and Sabin) amounted to for 229.1 million € (expenses). MSF headquarters, Fondation and EUP employ 276 full time equivalents for operational activities.
At associative level, each section has a board of directors (BOD). The OCP is represented by the "Group Committee", created in 2011 which is composed of three members from each of the four boards. A priority project of reorganization of the French executive structure was initiated in 2012. This project involves teams of the OCP headquarters but also the OCP boards. At this stage, the project is not advanced enough to appreciate all the changes that will result, but they will be important. The next director will have to accompany and continue the developments initiated.
We are recruiting a : GENERAL DIRECTOR MSF FRANCE / OCP (M/F)
Role and missions :
The General Director (GD) works closely with a deputy and assistants with whom he composed the general management team; he has two main functions:
At the french section level, a management role:
The GD leads the Directors of the section (Management Team).
Under the responsibility of the Board and its President, the GD makes all decisions regarding the strategic direction, the functioning and the development of the section and its satellites. He(she) coordinates, facilitates, evaluates and guarantees the cohesion of his team and of the management team.
The future GD will establish a real management dynamic; he will have the responsibility to achieve and implement the reorganization projects that are launched. He will, in particular, put the emphasis on the implementation and monitoring of an organization that ensures a clear definition of responsibilities of each department, as well as the preparation, consistency and monitoring of decisions taken.
At the OCP, the GD is involved in the platform of the four directors that he/she is currently chairing. Closely with other GDs, the GD ensures the cohesion of the group and its representation at international level. He/she defines the strategy and the overall objectives for the development of the OCP. He/she is responsible for the construction of the strategic plan and the annual plan of the OCP, that are debated and voted by the Group Committee. In this scope, he(she) ensures an optimized pooling of resources.
He/she pilots, oversees and guarantees, with all departments concerned, the implementation of various policies and activities necessary to achieve strategic objectives (operational, medical, financial, human resources, communication, supply, logistics, etc). He(she) oversees the risk management and in particular team security, with the concerned departments (operations, legal, financial…)
At the MSF movement level, the GD is actively involved in international meetings, debates and issues. He/she is engaged into the functioning and development of the international MSF movement; he(she) collaborates with the other four operational centers and other groups of the movement. His(her) participation in the Executive Committee, where he(she) is the representative of the OCP and their positions, is of particular importance.
The General Director is appointed by the Board of Directors (BOD) of the French section after consulting the Group Committee (Board) of the OCP. He(she) reports to them on his(her) activities and decisions; to this extend, he(she) participates in all French section board meetings, as well as in the Group Committee meetings. In collaboration with the President, he(she) oversees the preparation of the dossiers and topics to be discussed in those meetings and contributes to their agenda.
Profile :
The following diplomas, experience, knowledge and competencies or skills are required:
• Higher degree Baccalauréat + 4/5 years or equivalent in the field of political science, management, humanitarian action, medical or scientific • Significant experience in the humanitarian sector • Field experience within the MSF movement • Successful managerial experience. A successful management experience within the MSF movement will be considered an asset • These experiences could be ideally complemented by the knowledge of another international humanitarian organization in the field of international health • Very good knowledge and understanding of organizational aspects. Understanding and commitment to the development of the associative dynamics of MSF and the OCP is an asset. • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the humanitarian sector, medical issues on the fields of action, international issues and humanitarian environment • Ability to develop a strategic vision in relation to medical action, its issues, challenges, limitations and dilemmas in the humanitarian environment • Ability to motivate, lead and coordinate a team with good listening and decision skills, including intense environments • Very good skills in communication • Fluent French and English are compulsory. Knowledge of other languages is a plus.
The General Director position requires high availability, personal investment and a strong humanitarian and associative commitment.
Status : Permanent contract with a 4 month trial period. Full time executive position.
Salary conditions : 77,3 K€ brut annual based on 13 months. 22 days called «RTT» additional to 5 week vacation per year. Full health insurance covered 100% by Médecins Sans Frontières. Meal vouchers of € 8,50 face value (covered 60% by MSF). Public transport covered by MSF up to 50%.
Position starting date : march 2013
Please find attached a French version of the job announcement.
Please send your application (motivation letter and resume) until 15th october 2012 by email to the attention of Odile Hardy who will transmit to MSF Board at : ohardy@paris.msf.org or MSF, 8 rue St Sabin, 75011 Paris.
Please indicate the following reference in the mail subject : MSF-DG/0812
