Operations Advisor

Artsen zonder Grenzen (Médecins Sans Frontières, Nederland); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 59,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 hours/week contract

Salary range €4,875–€6,711 monthly

30 vacation days

Pension scheme

8% holiday allowance

Commuting & WFH allowance

Learning & development opportunities

Discounted daily lunch

Job summary

Artsen zonder Grenzen (MSF) is seeking an Operations Advisor based in Amsterdam with 15-20% travel to country programmes. The OA reports to the Operations Manager and strengthens decision making, policy implementation, and cross-office collaboration across MSF country operations.

The role requires MSF policy familiarity, leadership experience, and excellent communication in English (French/Arabic a plus). A Dutch contract is offered with competitive benefits and 40 hours/week.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head of Mission in MSF operational sections is required.
• Familiarity with MSF policy and procedures at country programme and HQ levels.
• Strong analytical and communication abilities with initiative.

Responsibilities

• Gives tactical guidance to Heads of Mission for decision making.
• Safeguards operational policies while planning project cycles.
• Coaches Heads of Missions and identifies training needs.
• Manages portfolio risks and priorities, including emergencies.
• Supports HR policies relating to recruitment, debriefings, and development.
• Oversees day-to-day financial issues with donors and partners.
• Coordinates meetings between head office and country programmes.

Skills

Head of Mission

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

English proficiency

French

Arabic

Job description

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.

We provide emergency medicalassistanceduring armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases, andassistthose who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based onneedand when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization thatremainsimpartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes the difference between life and death.

People are ourpriority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ArtsenzonderGrenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how theyintersect.

With immediate effect ourOperationsDepartment is looking for a:

Operations Advisor

Based in Amsterdam (15-20% travelling to country programmes)

Objective

In the Operations department, the OperationsAdvisor(OA)reports to the Operations Manager.The OApromotes the quality, continuity, and consistency of support tocountryprogrammanagement. You will support the decision making during the tactical and operational realization in various countries of the portfolio,all while supporting andinitiatinginteractions between thecountryprogramoperationsand the HQ office.

Main Responsibilities

• Gives advice and guidance to the Heads of Mission andcountryprogrammemanagement in the portfolio towards tactical decision making which involves analysis offieldquestions,problemsand solutions;

• Safeguards operational policies of the organization whilechannellingthe planning and control cycle of projects at a tactical level;

• Coaches the Heads of Missions whereappropriateand refers the teams to alternative sources for feedback, as well asidentifiesopportunities and needs for institutional competence building;

• Manages the portfolio on a day-to-day basis as delegated by the Operations Manager, while proactivelyidentifyingand referringrelevant risks and priorities such asnewor large-scale emergencies, security matters,advocacyopportunities,or codeof conduct issues;

• Supports the HRM policiesregardingrecruitment, (de)briefings, training & development;

• Identifiesand follows up on day-to-day financial issues for the portfolio which includes institutional donors, partner sections;

• Initiates and coordinates meetings between head office staff (Operational Support Team) on a regular basis and whenrequiredbeyond the regular meetings;

• Assists the Operations Manager in administrative matters of a practical and policy-related nature.

• Coordinatesthe implementation of the control cycle.

• Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and commitment and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

Candidate Profile

• We are seeking a motivated team player whooperateson anadvanced professional level, is capable of thorough analytical thinking and has a natural ability to effectively putting forward solutions toidentifiedproblems.

• The successful candidate will haveexperience working as a Head of Mission inanyof the MSF operational sections.We expect the candidate to have heldcountryprogrammemanagement posts for at least twoyears.

• Youare required tobefamiliar with current MSF policy and procedures(ideally on bothcountry programmeand head office level) and havegood knowledge of the MSF movement and organisational structure.

• The positionoperatesin a fast-paced workenvironment that requires initiative and a flexible, stress resistant attitude.Good communicationskillsare essential, as well as anexcellent command of English,Frenchand/or Arabicproficiencyarean asset

• The candidate must be willing to work irregular hours and spendapproximately15-20%of the time in the country programmes

We Offer

A Dutch employment contract, based on40 hoursper week. The contract is for one year with a renewaloption.

A gross monthly salaryinscale17 with a current salary range between € 4,875and € 6,711, the precise amount willdependon relevant work experience, based on a full-time appointment.

Other benefits include:

• 30 paid vacation days annually pro-rata

• A competitive pension scheme

• 8% holiday allowance, paid out with the salary once a year in Maypro-rata

• Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & work from home allowance

• L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses

• Discounted daily lunch at the office

• An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the worldrepresentingvarious cultures and background

Application

The closing date for applicationsis September 1,2026at 23:59.

MSF values diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.