General Director (Executive Director) of MSF Southern Africa & Executive Team member of the MSF Ubuntu OD Initiative

About the role:

Partner Section General Director
The main purpose is to lead the MSF Southern Africa partner section. This entails providing strategic and operational direction, ensuring effective performance management, and strengthening collaboration between the Board and the Executive. Additionally, the role involves enhancing MSF Southern Africa’s public profile and advancing its vision and values within communities across the region. To represent MSF Southern Africa to the DG12 forum of MSF OCB and the Full ExCom of the global MSF movement, ensuring the region's voice is embedded into both the activities of MSF OCB and the wider objectives of the global movement.

Operational Directorate (Ubuntu)

In addition, the role involves co-creating the MSF Ubuntu Operational Directorate (OD) initiative in collaboration with MSF East Africa, MSF UK, and MSF Spain, which are active members of the Management Team. A core focus of this initiative is to ensure the effective delivery of medical and operational (MedOps) services that are responsive to the needs of patients and communities in the region. This means building locally informed and context-specific strategies that prioritise access to quality healthcare, address public health gaps, and strengthen community engagement.

This includes contributing to the design, preparation, and implementation of the 2026–2028 Strategic Directions and Operational Handbook.
The role requires a strong commitment to upholding MSF’s humanitarian principles while advancing innovative, inclusive, and equitable approaches to healthcare delivery. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that MSF’s interventions reach the most vulnerable populations with speed, compassion, and impact, contributing to the broader mission of alleviating human suffering and saving lives.

  Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Define and implement an integrated strategic vision that aligns with MSF’s global mission and the specific context of Southern Africa.
• Lead organisational planning, transformation, and innovation to ensure relevance, impact, and sustainability.
• Foster alignment between MSF Southern Africa (SnA)’s strategic priorities and the broader MSF movement.
• Collaborate with the Board to review and approve strategic initiatives, ensuring a balanced focus on both financial sustainability and humanitarian medical priorities.
• Represent and advocate for MSF SnA within the international MSF movement and external partners.
• Lead the development of operational policies and ensure consistency with MSF principles.

2. Overseeing MSF Ubuntu OD:

• Project Oversight - Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring of medical and humanitarian missions in designated countries, ensuring alignment with MSF’s operational strategies and humanitarian principles.
• Resource Management: Oversee the efficient allocation of financial, human, and logistical resources to field operations, ensuring effective support and maximum impact in a cost-conscious manner.
• Medical and Operational Support: Provide expert guidance on medical and operational matters, ensuring the quality of care, safety standards, and ethical medical practices across all missions.
• Coordination and Representation: Collaborate with other MSF sections, international agencies, and local authorities to ensure coherent, coordinated responses in complex and multi-partner emergency contexts.
• Represent and advocate - for MSF SnA and MSF Ubuntu OD within the international MSF movement and
  external partners.

3. Organisational Performance and Culture 

• Ensure an integrated and supportive work environment and culture that promotes collaboration, inclusion, and psychological safety.
• Manage operational delivery and performance in line with strategic and programmatic objectives. 
• Facilitate personal growth, professional development, and accountability across all levels of the organisation to optimise results. 
• Ensure continuous investment in and commitment to at-risk populations, contributing to meaningful impact aligned with MSF’s humanitarian purpose. 

 4. Governance and Decision-Making

• Promote good governance, effective leadership, and informed decision-making by supporting and working closely with the Board of Directors. 
• Ensure regular, accurate, and transparent reporting on organisational performance and strategic outcomes. 
• Enable evidence-based decisions by ensuring the availability of relevant data and insights across all functions.
• Secure MSF Southern Africa’s strategic contributions and perspectives in MSF-wide forums and decision-making bodies.

5. Public Engagement and External Relations

• Serve as the public face of MSF Southern Africa, upholding and promoting MSF’s humanitarian values and identity across the region.

• Develop strategic partnerships and represent MSF Southern Africa to donors, media, governments, civil society, and other stakeholders.
  Influence the MSF movement strategy on behalf of MSF Southern Africa members, the Executive, and the Board.
   

  6. Financial Stewardship

• Oversee the organisation’s financial health, ensuring budgetary discipline, resource efficiency, and compliance with donor and legal requirements.
• Approve annual financial reports and statements in alignment with regulatory standards and board oversight.

• Drive the delivery of financial targets and ensure financial decisions support long-term sustainability.

  7. Risk and Security Oversight

• Identify, manage, and mitigate organisational risks, including operational, reputational, and security risks.
• Ensure staff safety, secure infrastructure, and readiness for emergencies and crises.
   

Requirements
Education

• A Master’s degree (NQF Level 9) in Medicine, Public Health, International Relations, Humanitarian Studies, or a closely related field is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) in Project Management, Business Management, or public health, International relations, humanitarian studies or a related discipline is essential

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in medicine, humanitarian operations, or a related sector.
• At least 7 years of staff management experience, preferably leading multicultural and multidisciplinary
  teams.
• A minimum of 5 years at a senior management level (Head of Department), or Director-level experience at headquarters or Coordination-level roles in field missions.
• Proven experience in executive leadership within the humanitarian, NGO, or international development sectors.
• NGO experience is essential, with a strong preference for individuals who have worked in developing country contexts.
• Strong understanding of governance, financial management, and legal compliance in the Southern African context.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, drive organisational performance, and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and strategic influencing skills.
• Deep commitment to MSF’s values, humanitarian mission, and principles of neutrality and impartiality

Languages

• Fluency in English (spoken, reading and writing) professional level is required.

Competencies

• Commitment to MSF principles and humanitarian values.
• High level of cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Demonstrated behavioural flexibility in complex, changing environments.
• Proven stress management skills and emotional resilience.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear strategic vision and the ability to translate it into actionable plans.
• A strong focus on results and maintaining high-quality standards.

Remuneration and Resources

• Basic Salary R98 091,00 (excluding MSF experience and seniority)
• 13th Cheque in November
• 100% Medical aid contribution for employee and dependents.
• 10% additional pension allowance
• Transport allowance
• Cell Phone allowance
• Resources needed, such as working space, computer, internet, stationery
  and other resources, will be made available.

Apply here 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

By applying, the applicant acknowledges that he/she has read, understood and accepted this document.

…End…

NB: Information

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of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF SnA will not use your personal data in any way other than for recruitment purposes.

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 status, partnership status, race, colour, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and all other diversity characteristics.

Lately, MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such, MSF is by choice an association. Each individual applying for MSF roles does so out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF. By applying, the applicant acknowledges that he/she has read, understood and accepted this document.