Job description

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients.

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.

Technical Logisticians

Technical logisticians are skilled in various areas, such as hiring and supervising local staff who are responsible for managing water and sanitation facilities, the vehicle fleet, and information and communications technology. They also contribute to security policy development and transportation planning.

Responsibilities

As a technical logistician with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will contribute to the functioning of MSF’s programs. Your work varies widely, depending on the assignment, and you can find yourself in charge of managing locally and internationally hired MSF staff accommodation, supervising the construction of infrastructures, fixing electricity in the hospital, or training staff on how to maintain the vehicle fleet.

MSF’s technical logisticians come from various backgrounds and have skills in electricity, mechanics, construction, and plumbing. As such, you will train, supervise and manage a logistics team, while building staff capacity and ensuring safe and fair working conditions. In some projects, you will be responsible for the maintenance and renovation of infrastructures (such as hospitals, clinics, offices, and team accommodation) and the setup of mobile clinics.

You will organize the transport of supplies, oversee the maintenance of vehicles and communication systems, as well as ensure the reliability of the project’s power supply. You will also manage administration of the logistic department and oversee the implementation of security protocols.

Requirements

Previous experience in a low resource setting (priority given to those with experience working in a humanitarian context)
Ability to work within a diverse team
Minimum of two years relevant professional experience post-training
Professional experience supervising, managing, or training staff
Basic engineering skills
Experience with contract writing, budgeting, reporting
Technical proficiency in at least one of the following areas:
- Construction
- Energy and electricity
- General mechanics
Available for 9 to 12 month international assignments

Assets

French or Arabic language (B2 or above)
Degree in engineering or vocational training
Experience in any of the following:
- Basic water and sanitation systems
- Computer equipment
- Pump and generator maintenance
- Radio and communications equipment
- Vehicle mechanics

Before you apply

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Security and Safety

Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.

International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.

Terms of Employment

MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits.

MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. The organization has many possibilities for professional growth in the medical, non-medical, and coordination streams.

Final Thoughts

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences in the field to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten.”

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement:
MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences protected by applicable laws.

We seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at recruitment@newyork.msf.org.

We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

Safeguarding Statement

All Employees and Representatives of MSF USA have a duty to treat the individuals, families, and communities with whom we interact and serve with dignity and respect, and to ensure their safety and protection. We are committed to fostering a workplace and organizational culture that is safe, inclusive, and free from harassment, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. This commitment is supported by policies and procedures that promote an environment where misconduct and abuse are not tolerated.

Employment may be contingent upon satisfactory reference checks and/or background screening appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.

Technical Logisticians at workoverseas | AI Job Board