TECHNICAL SUPPORT DIRECTOR

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: TECHNICAL SUPPORT DIRECTOR

Department: GENERAL DIRECTORATE

Direct Manager: GENERAL DIRECTOR

Functional Manager: GENERAL DIRECTOR

Working %: 100%

Position Based in: Abidjan, HQ

Title(s) of position(s) reporting to the holder:

•          Operational logistics

•          Supply Unit

•          Facilities.

•          IT

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

The Technical Director is responsible for achieving the role and objectives of the MSF WaCA Technical Support Department. For the coming years, the main strategic priorities of the department are to

•          Strengthen the efficiency of all logistics, supply and IT areas as well as the HR path of their staff, to support the operational ambitions outlined in the MSF WaCA strategic plan;

•          To respond to operational support needs in the field and to structural challenges, with the necessary flexibility and adaptation of priorities, while considering the ongoing challenges of growth and control.

•          Collaborate and define initiatives that contribute to the organization’s green initiatives efforts.

•          Contribute to the transformation of MSF WaCA's supply chain, improving lead times and availability on the one hand, and significantly reducing its carbon footprint on the other. Improve supply chain management (medical items and logistical equipment), quality control, accountability and planning for international procurement and locally procured supplies.

•          Increase cross-sectoral cooperation and promote shared operationality through effective communication, coordination and practical collaboration with other operational centers, particularly in the management of logistics, supply chain, IT, emergency response and green initiatives.

•          Create better integration with operational and medical departments, through collaborative working platforms focused on specific medical operational challenges, standards selection and practice improvement.

•          To be at the forefront of trends and new technologies in logistics, IT and procurement practice by liaising with external experts and institutions.

•          Thanks to the facilities of our new HQ in Abidjan, implement the best possible work organization for all users.

•          Implement a sustainable, effective and efficient strategy for the transport and accommodation of visitors, flying staff and people in training. 

The role of the Technical Support Department also involves working with other departments involved in cross-departmental issues and institutional projects to manage the HR career paths of staff in the various departments and the knowledge management mechanisms in the field, by means of appropriate training and practical tool systems.

Main responsibilities

The Technical Director is a member of the MSF WaCA management team, jointly responsible with the other Directors for the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan. 

More specifically, the Technical Director is responsible for the following:

•          The contribution of his/her department to the support of MSF WaCA's operations and strategic framework and, as a member of the management team, to the implementation of the organization’s strategic choices in his/her area of responsibility.

•          In line with the operational medical strategy, the development of ambitions in terms of logistics, supply and IT, their implementation (strategic orientations and plans, policies and processes, work plan, standards).

•          Implementing technical, purchasing and transport practices, low-carbon investments and innovative techniques to create a greener footprint for our organization. The management of work organization and the quality of deliverables, the positive contribution of members of the department to cross-functional projects and forums, and good collaboration with other departments, in particular the Operations department.

•          Mobilizing and adapting his/her department to support operations, particularly in the event of a humanitarian emergency.

•          In collaboration with the operational units, providing timely, coherent and context-sensitive responses to questions relating to projects in the field requiring advice, support, expertise and/or research.

•          Improving logistics, supply and IT practices in the field, by strengthening training strategy and content and adapting policy recommendations.

•          The responsiveness, efficiency and quality of MSF WaCA's supply chain and the timely provision of related information.

•          Preparation and control of the department budget.

-          Ensure preventive and corrective maintenance of buildings, equipment and technical installations.
Ensuring that facilities comply with MSF safety and standards.

•          Develop strategic, tactical and operational collaboration with similar functions in other MSF entities as well as with other relevant international platforms (pharmacists, medical directors, communication....) to improve synergies, decision-making efficiency, quality and independence in technical support.

•          Establishing and maintaining partnerships with external organizations to facilitate technical oversight and adapt external knowledge to MSF's operational contexts.

-          Overseeing the management of IT equipment, the network, servers and cyber security.
Working with MSF's central IT teams to implement the Group's solutions and tools.
Identifying short- and medium-term technological needs and proposing appropriate developments.
Supervising the logistics, infrastructure and IT teams.
Defining the objectives, priorities and action plans of the various departments.
Ensuring that human and material resources are properly allocated according to project requirements.
Implementing processes and tools for monitoring technical activities.

•          Proper maintenance and management of the Abidjan head office infrastructure (general services management, adaptation work, compliance with legal and safety obligations). 

•        Any specific task or responsibility assigned by the general Director.

Education

•          Postgraduate university degree in logistics or in one of its fields, such as engineering or procurement.

•          Management of an MSF or non-MSF technical support entity

•          A qualification in business management is an asset.

Competencies

•          Strong strategic sense of MSF's mission and logistical challenges.

•          Proven expertise in strategic policy development, planning and performance monitoring, financial management and human resources management.

•          Ability to lead change through people, i.e. ability to communicate the vision and rationale for change and to facilitate collaborative work (project management).

•          Strong leadership skills and proven ability to coordinate managers, facilitate working groups, stimulate and lead internal debates and make external presentations.

Professional experience required

•          At least 10 years of progressive experience in logistics and supply chain management within emergency humanitarian contexts, including field-level operations with MSF or a comparable international organization.

•          Significant experience in HQ or regional hub settings is essential, with a strong understanding of the intersection between strategic planning, operational support, and coordination across multiple missions or countries.

•          Proven ability in cross-functional project management, ideally across logistics, supply, IT, and operational support domains.

•          Strong leadership and team management skills, with demonstrated success in managing multidisciplinary teams in complex environments.

Personal Qualities

•          Visionary Leadership

•          Strategic Thinking

•          Strong Interpersonal Skills

•          Excellent Communication

•          Sound Judgment

•          Emotional Intelligence

•          Problem-Solving Agility

•          Flexibility and Adaptability

•          Team Empowerment

•          Resilience Under Pressure

•          Openness to Learning and Coaching

•          Cross-Cultural Sensitivity

•          Commitment to Field Realities

•          Availability for Travel

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: 05th August 2025 18:00 GMT
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.