The posting
Location: Any MSF Office*
Contract: Permanent at 80%
Deadline to apply: 29th of October 2026
Starting date: 01st December of 2026
Compensation and Benefits: MSF practice is to offer the compensation and benefits package in line with the MSF entity offering the contract.
*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office, able to issue a contract, of their country of residence at the time of application.
MSF International
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
Main Purpose
Facilitate the work of the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC) and actively drive the strategic development and implementation of MSF’s international pharmaceutical quality and supply of medicines agenda. This includes contributing across multiple workstreams such as pharmaceutical quality assurance, procurement and supply strategies, medical‑operational integration, intersectional collaboration, external pharmaceutical positioning, and fostering mutual accountability across the Pharma Network.
The Deputy International Pharmacist Coordinator will act as the IPC substitute when required, ensuring continuity of coordination, decision‑making, and representation.
MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities
Strategic support and coordination
- Support the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC) in implementing the Pharma Network’s 3‑year strategic priorities in line with MSF medical and operational objectives.
- Contribute with operational and technical analysis to strategic planning, identifying emerging risks, gaps, and opportunities related to pharmaceutical quality, access, and supply with organization wide impact.
- Ensure effective follow‑up of strategic and governance decisions across Pharma Network platforms.
- Support coordination across operational directorates, supply centres, and MSF Access.
Quality assurance implementation
- Support consistent implementation of the MSF Quality Assurance System for medicines across sections.
- Contribute to the operationalisation and monitoring of the MSF QA Policy for Medical Products.
- Support identification, analysis, and management of quality‑related risks, escalating issues requiring strategic arbitration.
- Promote quality, patient safety, and accountability in day‑to‑day pharmaceutical activities.
Performance, prioritisation, and monitoring
- Translate strategic priorities into annual workplans, deliverables, and timelines, in coordination with the IPC.
- Coordinate and monitor implementation of risk‑based GMP audits, technical visits, and monitoring activities.
- Track progress against agreed objectives, budgets, and resource frameworks, and report regularly to the IPC.
- Contribute to adjustments of implementation plans in response to evolving operational contexts.
Leadership, coordination, and team support
- Support the day‑to‑day coordination of the IO Pharma Team, assuming functional management responsibilities as delegated by the International Pharma Coordinator, including the management of the Intersectional Pharmacist positions.
- Manage the Pharma Quality Platform, including (but not limited to) definition and monitoring of objectives, facilitating regular meetings and following up on agreed actions.
- Foster effective collaboration across Supply, Medical, Operational, and QA functions.
- Support alignment and coordination with QA teams for Medical Devices and Specialised Medical Food.
- Contribute to learning, mentoring, and knowledge sharing within the Pharma Network.
Operational support and change management
- Provide timely technical and coordination support to MSF operations facing complex procurement, importation, or quality challenges.
- Support pharmaceutical input into regulatory and pharmacovigilance activities.
- Contribute to the development, rollout, and use of systems and tools supporting pharmaceutical quality and supply.
- Support organisational change processes affecting pharmaceutical activities, ensuring continuity and operational relevance.
External engagement and representation (delegated)
- Contribute actively to external engagement on pharmaceutical quality and supply topics, as delegated by the IPC.
- Support coordination and technical exchanges with external partners (e.g. WHO PQ, QUAMED, ICRC, UNICEF).
- Contribute technical input to external policy discussions and joint initiatives in coordination with relevant MSF entities.
- Contribute to preparation of external communications, presentations, and knowledge‑sharing materials.
Substitution and continuity
- Act as substitute for the International Pharmacist Coordinator when required, ensuring continuity of coordination, decision‑making, and representation within delegated authority.
Safeguarding requirements for the role
The incumbent commits to contribute to a safe, supportive, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy workplace, free from abuse and other misconduct. They will not engage in any form of abuse including those detailed in MSF Typologies of Abuse and when an employee suspects or observes abuse, they will report it (without investigating it) to protect others.
Training:
Senior pharmacist with degree/diploma in Pharmacy.
Education and experience:
- Minimum 8 years of experience, with at least 3 years in MSF in HQ functions with intersectional active involvement.
- Good knowledge of MSF quality and procurement policies.
- Knowledge of developing countries and emerging markets mandatory.
Languages
Fluency in English mandatory (French and Spanish would be added advantages).
Skills and Competencies
- Identifies with MSF’s principles and core values
- Good strategic thinking with ability to support translation of priorities into implementation
- Strong analytical skills and sound judgement in complex operational and quality-related issues
- Strong coordination and collaboration skills in a multi-stakeholder and intersectional environment
- Ability to support leadership, facilitate follow-up, and ensure continuity of coordination
- Strong communication skills and ability to convey multiple perspectives
- Diplomacy, adaptability, and self-control
- Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills
- Cross-cultural awareness, open-mindedness, and flexibility
- Quality, patient safety, and results orientation
- Team player with strong interpersonal and organisational skills
- Ability to work independently, prioritise, and report effectively
Other
Willingness to travel in Europe.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.
MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.
We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.
Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
