Director of Operations – MSF Ubuntu at Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa

Purpose of the role

• As Director of Operations (DO), the role will lead the strategic operational direction of MSF Ubuntu, rooted in Eastern and Southern Africa, while acting globally.
• The position is responsible for overseeing the design, execution and evolution of the operational portfolio, ensuring alignment with MSF Ubuntu’s core concepts: community leadership, interdependence, maximising sustainable outcomes, accountability, and locally rootedness.
• The role will be accountable for translating MSF Ubuntu’s medical-humanitarian mission into transformative and high-impact operations, while also anchoring our decision-making in community needs to deliver a people-centred approach.

Job Dimensions

• Reports to: General Director, MSF Ubuntu
• Location: Johannesburg or Nairobi, with frequent regional and international travel (30–40%)
• Team Management: Supervises a multidisciplinary team of Country Operational Managers, Head of Community Engagement, Head of Analysis, Advocacy, Representation & Networking and the Head of the MSF Ubuntu E- Team
• Budget Responsibility: Shared oversight of multi-million-euro portfolio and operational resource allocation
• Organisational Integration: Member of Ubuntu Executive Management Team, and contributor to RIOD (International Platform of Operational Directors)

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the formulation and evolution of MSF Ubuntu’s operational strategy, including multi-year and annual operational plans.
• Ensure integration of Ubuntu’s foundational concepts, including community- led approaches, decentralised leadership, and accountability into core operation activities of the OD.
• Champion agile and adaptive programming that reflects the changing humanitarian landscape

Operational Oversight & Performance

• Provide strategic oversight across all active projects and country programmes
• Approve project lifecycle decisions: community engagement, start-up, expansion, scale-back and handover
• Monitor the quality of care and operational effectiveness, embedding MEAL principles and patient/community feedback mechanisms

Security & Risk Management

• Design proactive and inclusive security management policies that prioritize community acceptance, contextual awareness, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Continuously assess operational environments (including conflict zones, unstable regions, or health emergencies) to adapt security protocols accordingly.
• Foster trust and collaboration with local communities, authorities, and other NGOs to enhance security through acceptance and understanding of MSF expectations.
• Participate in Critical Incident Management structures and uphold MSF’s duty of care to staff and patients.
• Ensure rapid and coordinated responses to security breaches, critical security incidents, or medical emergencies.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and mentor a diverse team of senior operational staff, fostering leadership growth and accountability
• Uphold MSF Ubuntu’s EDI and blended staffing principles
• Lead performance management and development planning for all direct reports

Interdependence, Partnerships & Representation

• Cultivate collaborative alliances within MSF and with key external actors: Ministries of Health, civil society, academia, and humanitarian stakeholders
• Represent MSF Ubuntu in MSF international platforms (RIOD), and in media or advocacy spaces when relevant
• Strengthen ties with affected communities, supporting their voice in operational choices and public positioning

Innovation, Advocacy, and Medical Leadership

• Drive operational innovation aligned with Ubuntu’s people-centred and maximising sustainable outcomes frameworks
• Collaborate with the Medical Director and technical referents to ensure medical strategy is embedded in operational planning
• Promote evidence-based advocacy, operational communications and the Ubuntu principle of “Speaking Out”

Experience, Qualifications, and Skills

Essential

• At least 12 years’ humanitarian programme experience, including as Head of Mission or equivalent senior leadership role
• At least 7 years’ humanitarian programme experience with MSF.
• Proven expertise in managing complex medical-humanitarian operations and navigating high-risk environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary, multicultural teams
• Strong understanding of the global political, humanitarian and medical context
• Budgeting and resource allocation for large-scale, multi-country operations
• Fluency in English required

Desirable

• Prior experience with MSF or similar INGO.
• French, Portuguese, Swahili or Arabic are strong assets

Core Competencies

• Strategic Vision & Adaptive Leadership
• Inclusive and People-Centred Approach
• Risk Management & Operational Decision-Making
• Cross-Cultural Communication & Negotiation
• Transformational Leadership and Innovation
• Crisis and Security Management