General Director

Medecins Sans Frontieres South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading humanitarian organization is seeking a Partner Section General Director to lead its Southern Africa section. This role requires strategic vision, cooperation with various stakeholders, and a commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to vulnerable populations. The director will oversee operational policies, manage resources, and represent the organization at international forums while upholding humanitarian principles.

Benefits

13th Cheque in November

100% Medical aid contribution

10% additional pension allowance

Transport allowance

Cell Phone Allowance

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in medicine or humanitarian operations.
• At least 7 years managing multicultural teams.
• 5 years at senior management level in the humanitarian sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic vision and align with global MSF mission.
• Oversee medical and operational missions in Southern Africa.
• Manage financial resources and ensure organizational performance.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Cross-Cultural Awareness

Operational Management

Diplomacy

Analytical Thinking

Education

Master's degree in Medicine, Public Health, International Relations, or related field

Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Management, or related discipline

Job description

About the role:

Partner Section General Director
The main purpose is to lead the MSF Southern Africa partner section. This entails providing strategic andoperational direction, ensuring effective performance management, and strengthening collaboration between theBoard 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 theDG12 forum of MSF OCB and the Full ExCom of the global MSF movement, ensuring the voice of the region isembedded 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 as an active member 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'sinterventions 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 specificcontext of Southern Africa's.

• Lead organisational planning, transformation, and innovation to ensure relevance, impact, andsustainability.

• Foster alignment between MSF Southern Africa (SnA)'s strategic priorities and the broader MSFmovement.

• Collaborate with the Board to review and approve strategic initiatives, ensuring a balanced focus on bothfinancial 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. Operational Directorate (Ubuntu):

• Project Oversight - Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring of medical and
humanitarian missions in designated countries, ensuring alignment with MSF's operational strategies andhumanitarian principles.

• Resource Management: Oversee the efficient allocation of financial, human, and logistical resources tofield operations, ensuring effective support and maximum impact in a cost-conscious manner.

• Medical and Operational Support: Provide expert guidance on medical and operational matters, ensuringthe quality of care, safety standards, and ethical medical practices across all missions.

• Coordination and Representation: Collaborate with other MSF sections, international agencies, and localauthorities 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 andexternal 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 theorganisation to optimise results.

• Ensure continuous investment in and commitment to populations in danger, contributing to meaningfulimpact aligned with MSF's humanitarian purpose.

4. Governance and Decision-Making

• Promote good governance, effective leadership, and informed decision-making by supporting and workingclosely with the Board of Directors.

• Ensure regular, accurate, and transparent reporting on organisational performance and strategicoutcomes.

• Enable evidence-based decisions by ensuring the availability of relevant data and insights across allfunctions.

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 andidentity across the region.

• Develop strategic partnerships and represent MSF Southern Africa to donors, media, governments, civilsociety, and other stakeholders.

• Influence the MSF movement strategy on behalf of MSF Southern Africa members, Executive, and Board.

6. Financial Stewardship

• Oversee the organisation's financial health, ensuring budgetary discipline, resource efficiency, andcompliance with donor and legal requirements.

• Approve annual financial reports and statements in alignment with regulatory standards and boardoversight.

• 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, public health,international relations, humanitarian studies or a related discipline is preferred.

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 multidisciplinaryteams.

• A minimum of 5 years at a senior management level (Head of Department), or Director-level experienceat headquarters or Coordination-level roles in field missions.

• Proven experience in executive leadership within the humanitarian, NGO, or international developmentsectors.

• NGO experience is essential, with a strong preference for individuals who have worked in developingcountry context.

Strong understanding of governance, financial management, and legal compliance in the Southern Africancontext.

• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, drive organisational performance, and navigate complexstakeholder 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:

• The Salary R 98 091,00 (excluding MSF experience)
• 13th Cheque in November.
• 100% Medical aid contribution.
• 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.

Commitment/Contract Duration:

1. 1. Length of commitment: Full-time Fixed Term contract ( 3 years renewable only once on successful completion of first mandate)

Closing date: 28 June 2025

Start date: Jan 2026

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

NB: Information

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF SnA. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF SnA will not use your personal data in any other way not foreseen for purposes of recruitment.

MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or 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 it 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 accept this document.

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