The posting
Location: Any MSF office* within +/- 2 hours of the Geneva time zone
Contract: Permanent contract at 100%
Starting date: 04.01.2027
Deadline to apply: 19.11.2026
We reserve the right to close this position once suitable candidates have been identified.
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. If no MSF office exists in their country of residence, the successful candidate will be expected to relocate to a country where an MSF office can issue a contract, provided the local legislation allows for that.
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. The successful candidate will be expected to comply with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and standards of professional behaviour.
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.
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 26 sections, 28 associations and 16 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.
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. The successful candidate will be expected to comply with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and standards of professional behaviour.
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.
CONTEXT
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 sections, associations and 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.
The International Secretary General (ISG) plays a key role in defining with the MSF Executive Committee (ExCom) the movement’s ambitions and priorities and ensuring their implementation. They are supported by the Senior Executive Committee (ExCom) Officer and the International Secretariat Support Officer in the full accomplishment of the mandate entrusted by the MSF Movement.
The International Secretariat Support Officer:
o Reports hierarchically to the Senior ExCom Officer;
o Has frequent check-ins with the International Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General (DSG);
o Works closely with the Executive Assistants to members of the ExCom and the International Board (IB);
o Interacts with the MSF International team, the MSF Movement, and interlocutors outside MSF.
The International Secretariat Support Officer operates at the heart of the organisation, fulfilling a pivotal role in creating the conditions that allow the ISG and DSG to perform at their highest level. This means managing complex schedules, preparing briefing materials, coordinating cross functional communication, and acting as a trusted point of contact for internal and external stakeholders. It involves anticipating needs before they arise, filtering information intelligently, and ensuring priorities stay aligned with organisational goals. The postholder helps to maintain momentum, clarity, and efficiency across the core MSF International Secretariat Team.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The position of International Secretariat Support Officer will support the International Secretary General and the Senior ExCom Officer on tasks which allow them to focus on the development and follow-up of key executive dossiers. These tasks include some foundational administrative support, but the International Secretariat Support Officer supports far beyond administrative coordination - they act as a strategic partner, proactively anticipating needs, streamlining decision-making, developing substantial background briefings, and helping to ensuring the International Secretary General’s time is focused on the highest impact priorities.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Support to the International Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General (70%): serve as a trusted partner helping to prioritise initiatives and manage competing demands, anticipating needs and proactively resolving issues.
- Provide proactive full diary management, full travel management, and full administrative support; act as a “gatekeeper” and protecting the ISG and DSG’s time to allow their focus to remain on the priority areas.i. Support with annual international administrative planning.
- Prepare briefing materials, agendas, and follow up actions for non-ExCom internal and external ISG/DSG meetings. Where relevant, track key initiatives, follow up with stakeholders, maintain visibility into progress, and conduct research and synthesise information. This may be applicable to the International Office (IO) Leadership Team (LT) and IB.
- Draft, edit, and proofread correspondence (emails, letters, social media, and reports) with a high-level of accuracy, handling sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.
2. Support to the Senior Executive Committee Officer (30%): serve as a trusted partner helping to prioritise initiatives and manage competing demands, anticipating needs and proactively resolving issues.
- Provide administrative support for the coordination of the Executive Committee; proactive scheduling, vote and record-keeping, information-sharing, and maintenance of online groups and spaces.
- Initiates and leads on logistical arrangements for Core and Full ExCom F2F meetings.
- Produce content as requested, including email and outcome drafting.
3. Other tasks as requested by the International Secretary General and Senior Executive Committee Officer.
AUTONOMY, COMPLEXITY
- Complexity of the MSF structure and wide scope of ISG engagements
- Autonomy to proactively anticipate needs and make decisions within as per agreed direction and frameworks
- Fast-paced dynamics and changing engagements
SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE
All staff must:
- Contribute to a safe, supportive, fair, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy working environment free from abuse and other misconduct.
- Ensure that all relations and behaviour towards anyone came into contact within one’s role with MSF are respectful, non-discriminatory, and professional.
- Not engage in any form of abuse or misconduct, including those detailed in MSF Typologies of Abuse and when an employee suspects, observes, or hears about abuse, they will report it (without investigating it) to protect others.
- highlight the importance of a member of staff’s duty and responsibility to safeguard, report and promote appropriate behaviours.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of managing complex, dynamic calendars with an emphasis on strategic time allocation.
- Experience in coordinating cross-functional teams and liaising with stakeholders at all levels, including external partners and senior executives.
- Experience preparing briefings, reports, presentations, and meeting materials with a high level of accuracy.
Highly desirable
- Extensive experience working as an Executive Assistant to Director / CEO level Competences and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to anticipate needs and plan.
- Strong time-management skills and an ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, able to draft clear, concise, and professional outcomes and correspondence.
- High level of discretion, judgement, and emotional intelligence, and the ability to build a strong network across an organisation.
- Confident decision‑making and the ability to act autonomously when required – evidenced self-motivation and proactivity.
- Skilled at filtering information, prioritising tasks, and maintaining momentum across multiple workstreams.
- Flexible team player, willing to adapt to changes, and confident tackling unfamiliar challenges across multiple domains of knowledge/experience.
- Ability to work in a disciplined and organised fashion, under pressure, with conflicting priorities and across time zones.
- Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook. An aptitude for quickly learning new software and systems.
Language
- Excellent English (written and spoken) is essential. French and other languages are further assets.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding and acceptance of these recruitment procedures.
