South African Medical Unit (SAMU)

Head of SAMU
Tom leads MSF’s HIV/TB/NCD medical support and innovation across the region, supporting field teams to strengthen responses to HIV, TB, malaria, and other key health challenges. The position plays a key role in advancing medical excellence and contributing to MSF’s global learning and impact. He is responsible for the overall running and strategic direction of the unit and its relationship with other entities. He is available for field visits, explos in HIV/TB and other medical and emergency issues. As a country focal point (Kenya and Eswatini) and dossier lead on various topics he is responsible for the medical lead on HIV/TB within those projects and areas.
 

Senior HIV/TB Advisor
Esther is the focal point for South Africa (Eshowe), Zimbabwe, Guinea, and Nigeria, countries for which she provides HIV/TB technical/strategic support and coordinates SAMU input. She is also responsible for the following portfolios: Pediatrics and Adolescents HIV/TB, PMTCT, integration of HIV/TB care in countries with other operational priorities, HIV/TB care in emergencies and unstable settings. She is also head of the intersectional AWG

Senior HIV/TB Advisor
Antonio's role involves technical strategic support to field teams in a number of countries and regions, including Mozambique, eSwatini, South Sudan, Sudan, South and Central America. He also leads SAMU's work on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV-related histoplasmosis, and HIV resistance. He is currently focal point for OCB's HIV access portfolio.
 

Senior HIV/TB Advisor
Calorine leads programmatic support for HIV/TB initiatives in DRC and CAR, supporting teams to implement effective public health strategies. The position plays a key role in improving health outcomes within MSF Southern Africa’s operational regions.

Senior TB/HIV/NCD Advisor
Michael focusses on NCD and is the focal point for Ukraine, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali and Syria for which he provides HIV/TB/NCD technical/strategic support and coordinates SAMU input. Main areas of work: He represents SAMU on the NCD Working Group. He is also responsible for the following portfolios: Hepatitis

Operational Research Senior Advisor
Petros  leads the OR and M&E team.  He coordinates OR activities across SAMU-supported HIV/TB/ HCV projects and countries and oversees the OR framework.  Petros provides technical support to the field to ensure up-to-date research agendas, adequate resources for the conduct of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, from the concept paper and protocol all the way to dissemination of research findings , including MSF platforms (Sci Days and OR Day), regional and global medical conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals. He liaises with the MSF Ethics review Board (ERB), Luxembourg Operational Research Unit (LuxOR) and the rest of the Medical Department for OR related dossiers.

Monitoring and Evaluation Senior Advisor
Sarah Jane coordinates M&E activities across SAMU-supported HIV/TB missions, including the choice of routine indicators, and M&E tools and strategies.  Sarah Jane provides technical support to the field to ensure simplified, quality data collection, analysis and reporting.   Where relevant, she is also able to support on analysis of routine data for operational research.

Flying Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor
Gauthier is involved in direct, hands on field support of in implementing different monitoring and evaluations tools and systems including analysis of how the data is collected and analysed for routine programme monitoring and evaluation. Gauthier also support the projects in the design of such tools and field testing them. The other portifolios that he is involved in include focal point for the Tier.net databases used in different for TB/HIV/PMTCT and data protection. 

Key Populations Advisor
Lucy provides technical support to the field in KP and intersecting populations (i.e LGBTIQ+, Adolescenst of KP, migrants) programming and  works to adapt interdiciplinary with SRH, PCS and HP  strategies to accessible models of care. She supports and provides the sensitization and capacity building of  KP programs staff, focusing primarily on the peer edcuation approach to reaching and engaging KP to HIV/TB/SRH care. Lucy also plays a role in partnership building between other actors towards KP decriminalisation including SGBV.

Laboratory Advisor
Zee provides technical laboratory support to MSF programs in the region to ensure implementation of essential diagnostics that are helpful for downstream clinical management of patients. Zee also coordinates operational research for evaluating performance of new diagnostics. 

HIV/HCV Access Advocacy Manager
Carlota leads MSF’s advocacy on HIV and HCV access, focusing on shaping policy and regulatory environments to expand access to long-acting HIV prevention and hepatitis C treatment. Carlota provides strategic guidance on advocacy, policy positions, context analysis, and stakeholder engagement across governments, civil society, donors, industry, and international bodies.

HIV/HCV Access Communications Advisor
Alison ensures visibility and strategic messaging for MSF's HIV and HCV access work. Alison supports media engagement by liaising with journalists, identifying relevant spokespeople and testimonies, and developing communication materials, including guidance on branding and logo use.

HIV/HCV Access Pharmacy Advisor
Alaleh provides technical and regulatory expertise on access to HIV and hepatitis C medicines, with a focus on long-acting injectable PrEP and direct-acting antivirals. Alaleh supports the coordination on pharmaceutical access strategies, including regulatory status, registration tracking, and pricing of HIV/HCV commodities.

Epidemiologist
Claire leads operational research initiatives, supporting field teams to design and implement studies that inform public health strategies. The position plays a key role in strengthening MSF Southern Africa’s evidence-based programming.

Head of Strategic Resources
Robyn leads all non-medical operations, supporting SAMU teams to coordinate HIV/TB thematic programs and resources. The position plays a key role in ensuring effective operational management across MSF Southern Africa. 

Learning Unit Coordinator
Ian is responsible for the definition of the strategic and pedagogical visions of SAMU learning unit.  His oversight role covers the coordination and delivery of all trainings delivered by SAMU: in Cape Town or in the field, across the scope of SAMU's activities (clinical, programmatic, M&E, PSEC) and also includes pedagogical support, either via training of trainers courses or providing consulting support for training initiatives. He is either directly involved himself or delegates responsibilities, drawing on the specific expertise within the learning unit team and from others in SAMU who play active roles in training. He also coordinates and plays a major role in the development of training and reference materials for clinicians in HIV settings, specifically the HIV/TB guide for primary care and the online basic HIV/TB course.  

Senior Mentoring & Learning Advisor
Freddy leads clinical mentorship and training, supporting healthcare teams to strengthen HIV and TB care. The position plays a key role in building capacity and expertise across MSF Southern Africa’s programs. He is based in Kinshasa.

Learning Unit Knowledge & Administration Officer
Alex leads training logistics and resource management, supporting learning initiatives and administrative operations. The position plays a key role in ensuring smooth delivery of SAMU's knowledge manage and learning programs.

Intersectional Surgical Training Programme (ISTP) Manager
Esnath leads the ISTP, supporting trainees and coordinating with MSF offices to deliver effective surgical training. The position plays a key role in strengthening surgical capacity and skills development across the region.

Intersectional Surgical Training Programme (ISTP) Coordinator
Ncediswa leads trainee support and programme logistics, supporting participants to successfully complete surgical training. The position plays a key role in ensuring efficient and effective delivery of the ISTP program.

Digital Health Promotion Coordinator
Jakub leads digital health promotion initiatives, supporting teams to engage communities and deliver impactful health messages. The position plays a key role in advancing MSF Southern Africa’s health education and awareness campaigns.

Digital Health Promotion Graphic Designer
Carina leads creative design efforts, supporting digital campaigns and health messaging initiatives. The position plays a key role in ensuring visually compelling and effective communication for MSF Southern Africa.