DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT & RESOURCES MOBILIZATION

Médecins Sans Frontières, founded in 1971, is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of medical professionals, logistics, administrative and various other professions, all guided by our medical ethics and our principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

MSF WaCA, created in 2019, is the first MSF headquarters in Africa, and responds to the desire to reinvent the MSF movement after 50 years of humanitarian actions in the world, for more access to care, more reactivity and proactivity for greater medical coverage of affected populations in the world.

Why join us?

You are preparing to become a member of the MSF family, with over 50 years of emergency medical action that earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

We are an inclusive organization that considers social and professional well-being a right for all and provides an environment that considers the diversity of each member.

MSF WaCA claims an African anchorage that considers the local expertise with which it contributes to the implementation of its activities and makes each member, a key actor of the new dynamics of the humanitarian action in the world.

We Are Looking for: DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT & RESOURCES MOBILIZATION

Department: General Directorate

Direct Manager: General Director

Functional Manager: General Director

Working %: 100%

Position Based in: Abidjan, HQ

Mobility: All WaCA’s Interventions Zones

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term Contract under Ivorian law; Renewable

Position to be filled: As Soon As Possible

Objectives

As MSF-WaCA continues its trajectory toward full Section hood, strengthening strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and high-level engagement has become critical to ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability and operational independence. The Director of Strategic Engagement and Resource Mobilization will play a key leadership role in shaping MSF-WaCA’s external positioning, developing sustainable funding strategies, and ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of humanitarian diplomacy within West and Central Africa and beyond.

This position is about shaping MSF-WaCA’s global footprint, securing operational space, and establishing long-term partnerships that reinforce MSF’s social mission.

The Director will work closely with the General Director to develop and implement strategies that secure MSF-WaCA’s presence, funding, and influence within the broader MSF movement and external stakeholders.

Main responsibilities

1.        High-Level Strategic Engagement & Positioning

·       Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic engagement plan that strengthens MSF-WaCA’s relationships with governments, regional bodies, and key stakeholders.

·       Position WaCA as a credible and principled humanitarian actor in Africa and globally, focusing strategic visibility, influence, and partnerships that reinforce operational acceptance and legitimacy across the region.

·       Represent MSF-WaCA in high-level humanitarian and development forums, diplomatic circles, and key international platforms to advocate for sustained operational space and partnerships.

·       Work closely with MSF’s global governance bodies to ensure MSF-WaCA’s strategic priorities align with the movement’s broader objectives.

2.        Humanitarian Diplomacy & Advocacy for Operational Space

·       Build and maintain critical relationships with governments and regulatory bodies in WaCA’s operational areas to enhance MSF’s acceptance and access.

·       Anticipate shifts in political and regulatory environments that may impact MSF’s ability to operate and engage in strategic dialogue to mitigate risks.

·       In collaboration with the Operational Directorate Management Team, develop advocacy strategies that reinforce MSF-WaCA’s credibility as an independent and neutral humanitarian actor

3.        Public Communication and bearing witness

·       Oversee the development and implementation of an overarching public communication and bearing witness strategy in Cote d’Ivoire and the West and Central Africa region to foster acceptance and support for MSF in the region.

·       Ensure MSF WaCA public communications are aligned to strategic engagement, advocacy and support mobilization objectives.

·       [optional: In collaboration with the Directors of Operations and Medical Directors of the OD WaCA, ensure key field projects develop clear internal and external communication plans and are supported in their execution] 

·       Participate in the DirComs platform and ensure collective communication objectives are properly implemented and localized

4.        Support Mobilization

·       Oversee the development of a phased, internationally aligned, and contextually grounded support mobilization strategy that reflects WaCA’s operational vision and principles of independence.

·       Oversee the initiation exploratory engagement with African philanthropic foundations, private sector actors, diaspora networks, and mission-aligned regional institutions.

·       Oversee market research, legal and reputational risk assessments, and stakeholder mapping to inform responsible decision-making regarding future fundraising activities.

·       Ensure all engagements are grounded in MSF’s ethical frameworks, the movement’s Global Fundraising Strategic Framework, and its fundraising policies.

·       Work with relevant colleagues to embed financial sustainability into WaCA’s strategic planning, ensuring adequate budgeting for early-stage engagement activities and supporting the gradual development of internal capacity for donor stewardship, grant accountability, emergency preparedness, and systems and processes aligned with current and future needs.

5.        Internal coordination institutional strengthening

•         Work closely with the General Director, and other Directors, to integrate strategic engagement and resource mobilization into MSF-WaCA’s institutional planning.

•         Collaborate with MSF Sections and Operational Centers to ensure WaCA’s strategic goals align with MSF’s global movement.

•         Lead a small, high-performing team focused on stakeholder engagement, partnerships, and fundraising.

Education

University degree at master’s level in one of the following fields (or equivalent):

·       International relations

·       Political science

·       Economics or public administration

·       Other...

Competencies

·       Proven ability to engage with high-level stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and multilateral organizations.

·       Strong understanding of humanitarian funding models, resource mobilization, and sustainable financing strategies.

·       Excellent diplomatic and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence decision-making at the highest levels.

·       Demonstrated experience in the management of multi-disciplinary teams

Professional experience required

Minimum 10 years' professional experience, including at least 5 years in a position of responsibility involving:

o    Strategic development

o    Resource mobilisation

o   External relations / diplomacy / humanitarian advocacy

·       Senior-level experience in strategic engagement, institutional partnerships, or humanitarian diplomacy within an international organization, government, or humanitarian agency.

·       Experience working within the West and Central African region with a deep understanding of the political and economic landscape.

Languages Skills

·       Working proficiency in English and French

Computer Skills

·       MS Office suite (mainly MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint)

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MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground.

Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

N.B.: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position. It is not exhaustive. Therefore, the responsibilities and activities of the position may differ from those described in this job description due to organizational and operational needs.

Deadline: 23rd June 2025 18:00 GMT
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.