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CONTEXT
The MSF Academy for Healthcare is a MSF intersectional initiative that has been created with the aim to increase the quality of healthcare in health care services directed or supported by MSF by strengthening the skills and competencies of healthcare workers through structured, competency-based and recognized or accredited learning programs. The Academy has a growing portfolio of learning programmes addressing specific learning needs and objectives for different categories of healthcare staff in MSF managed or supported healthcare services. All these projects are chosen in line with overall MSF medical operational priorities.
A large focus is on MSF’s national staff but increasingly includes also staff of ministries of health, especially in the countries with the largest gaps in human resources for health (HRH) capacity. Presently, a lot of effort goes to nursing care and maternity care staff in MSF hospitals or MSF supported hospitals and to staff working in out-patient care in primary healthcare facilities. The Academy develops adapted comprehensive curricula and invests a great deal in clinical mentorship in the healthcare services of practice. Beyond MSF projects, the Academy connects also to health authorities to work on recognition of its learning programmes and organises occasionally also financial, organisational and pedagogical support (through e.g. sponsoring scholarships) to existing schools for training of healthcare workers.
Discover more about it on MSF Academy for Healthcare.
We have a growing “global team”, composed of the director, deputy director, resource manager, MEAL manager (Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning), communication and information officer, project managers, training coordinators as well as a strong technical team comprising of medical experts and learning science experts to support our projects, as well as a group of distance-learning clinical mentors for the AMR programme (Antimicrobial Resistance) and tutors for PGDIP courses (Postgraduate Diploma). In the countries where a training program is implemented, strong country teams are present. The global team counts around 30 staff, and the program-based teams have around 70 staff.
As Programme Manager you lead the implementation of the MSF Academy for Healthcare learning programmes across assigned countries, ensuring high quality delivery aligned with MSF’s humanitarian principles and the Academy’s strategic plan. You report to the MSF Academy Directors, and you supervise the country teams in their portfolio, and you manage at least one “distance‑learning” academic course programme. Portfolios may be reshuffled and are not tied to specific countries or learning programmes.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Coordination
Define and adapt the implementation strategy for MSF Academy learning programmes in each country, in collaboration with global and country teams
Oversee the implementation and rollout of in‑person programmes across assigned countries, ensuring progress, quality, and compliance with MSF Academy standards and internal controls
Lead the management of one or two postgraduate diploma or online courses, ensuring, among others, the selection process together with Learning and Development (L&D) referents and pool managers of each operational centre
Contribute to the Academy’s overall strategy, organisational development and decision‑making as member of the Management Team
Promote cross‑functional collaboration to strengthen operational support and programme coherence
Team Management & Capacity Development
Manage country teams through their country representatives, pedagogical managers, or clinical mentors according to the set up in the assigned countries
Supervise coordinators in their management or directly manage tutors or mentors involved in assigned postgraduate diploma or online courses
Participate in the recruitments (or matching in collaboration with pool managers from all operational centres), the onboarding and offboarding of coordinators, tutors or mentors; of country representatives and, when relevant, other country team members, ensuring ongoing guidance and performance support
Stakeholder Engagement, Communication & Representation
Coordinate with the operational cells/desks at Head Offices level for the countries in the portfolio, ensuring they follow MSF’s operational processes (inter‑desk meetings, annual reviews, action plans, round tables and other relevant forums)
Support country representatives in engaging with MSF country and project coordination teams (Country Coordinators, Medical Coordinators and Human Resources (HR) / L&D Coordinators to ensure programme alignment and follow‑up
Maintain constructive relationships with external stakeholders, including ministries of health/education, medical councils, universities, and suppliers
Work closely with MSF Academy technical referents: nursing, maternity, outpatient and paediatric care, ward supervision, pedagogical, communication, Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL) to ensure programme quality and coherence
Prioritise key communication topics and support country teams in their communication efforts
Participate in project visits, regional meetings and Operational Centre visits as required
Monitoring, Evaluation & Information Management
Ensure effective implementation of the MSF Academy information management and monitoring & evaluation systems (Information Knowledge Management & MEAL)
Produce, review and validate routine reporting, thereby contributing to learning, accountability, and programme improvement
Ensure effective planning and management of the workforce and of financial and material resources across assigned countries and distance-learning programmes, and remain accountable for its effective use
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience
Higher education or university degree in healthcare, or in Social, Economic or Political Science, Communications, International Relations, Development, Humanitarian studies, or a related area of study
Minimum 5 years of Project Management experience including MSF or other international NGOs
At least one MSF experience in a Coordination role is mandatory
Solid understanding of Information Knowledge Management (IKM) as well as Monitoring & Evaluation (MEAL) processes
Experience in health professions education or in curriculum development is an asset
Competencies
Strategic thinking and vision
Strong leadership
People management and development
Teamwork and cooperation
Result and quality orientation
Negotiation skills and capacity to build consensus
Initiative and Innovation, problem solving skills
Adaptability
Networking and Building Relationships, Advocacy
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Cross-cultural awareness
Proficiency in standard IT tools (Word, Excel, internet) and ability to learn new digital systems
Languages
Proficiency in English and French, both spoken and written is mandatory
Good knowledge of Arabic is an asset
Other
Willingness to travel overseas to visit projects, regional officers and MSF Operational Centres
CONDITIONS
Expected starting date: As soon as possible
Locations*: Dakar (Senegal) Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Nairobi (Kenya), Johannesburg or Cape Town (South Africa)
* Other location/s where there is an MSF entity could be exceptionally discussed. The final outcome depends on the residency of the candidate, the local legal limitations (residency, work permit, etc.) and on the agreement with the hosting MSF entity of these locations
Contract type: fixed-term contract – full-time
Contract duration: 12 months (extendable)
Mobility: at least 40% project visits per year
The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the place of work and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grids
Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
Adhere to the MSF Behavioural Commitments
Deadline for applications: 25th of March 2026
How to apply
How to apply?
Submit your application via the ‘Apply here’ button on the vacancy page
You will be directed to the online application form for this position
It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter in English or French ready to upload (in PDF format*)*
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
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