General Presentation
In 2007, MSF opened a branch office in South Africa. During the 2015 MSF International General Assembly, MSF Southern Africa (MSF SA) was accepted as a full section, joining 20 other sections across the MSF movement.
The MSF SA office is composed of 6 departments: the Dr Neil Aggett DNA (Programs) Unit, the South African Medical Unit (SAMU), the Communications, Fundraising and Field Human Resources Units, as well as the Resources Unit, which includes Finance, Admin and Office Human Resources.
MSF SA recruits both medical and non-medical staff from numerous African countries to work in MSF projects around the world. MSF SA also raises funds to support the MSF’s international activities, and actively engages in sharing information with the public, the media, government agencies, and other NGOs to raise awareness about those affected by humanitarian crises. MSF SA also supports MSF’s operational activities in the region by providing medical expertise and training for MSF field staff.
In 2015, MSF SA raised a total of R 19.7 million from 25,500 private South African donors. A total of 142 Southern African field workers were sent to the field by the end of 2015, a 25% increase in numbers of departures compares to 2014. Communications-wise, MSF received a total of 5554 mentions in Southern Africa-based media during 2015, an average of 463 media mentions per month, and our social media following now sits at 105,751 (30% increase compares to 2014).
MSF SA recruits both medical and non-medical staff from numerous African countries to work in MSF projects around the world. MSF SA also raises funds to support the MSF’s international activities, and actively engages in sharing information with the public, the media, government agencies, and other NGOs to raise awareness about those affected by humanitarian crises. MSF SA also supports MSF’s operational activities in the region by providing medical expertise and training for MSF field staff.
In 2015, MSF SA raised a total of R 19.7 million from 25,500 private South African donors. A total of 142 Southern African field workers were sent to the field by the end of 2015, a 25% increase in numbers of departures compares to 2014. Communications-wise, MSF received a total of 5554 mentions in Southern Africa-based media during 2015, an average of 463 media mentions per month, and our social media following now sits at 105,751 (30% increase compares to 2014).
Place within the organisation: Reports directly to the board of MSF Southern Africa
Represents MSF Southern Africa in the Full ExCom platformJob location: Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with travel within Southern Africa and internationallyDuration: A three-year term, starting 1st of May 2016, with maximum three year extension maximum
Represents MSF Southern Africa in the Full ExCom platformJob location: Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with travel within Southern Africa and internationallyDuration: A three-year term, starting 1st of May 2016, with maximum three year extension maximum
Responsibilities
A. Core values
- Ensure that the executive of MSF Southern Africa (MSF SA) adheres to MSF’s core values and principles as indicated in its charter and associated social values (including, La Mancha (2006) and Chantilly (1994) documents).
- Ensure that MSF’s field activities for populations in danger are the focus of MSF SA’s executive work.
- Lead, oversee and monitor the annual Activity Action Plan and the associated Budget and Resource Plan in co-ordination with the MSF SA Management Team and in synergy with the Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) and ensure sound review and reporting on the compliance, achievements, shortcomings and proposed adjustments as necessary.
- Ensure, together with the executive and the external auditor, the timely finalisation of MSF SA’s annual accounts and reporting.
- Design, propose and execute the 2017-2019 MSF SA Strategic and Executive Plan, together with the Management Team and within the framework given by the Boards of Directors
- Work towards building and supporting the associative structure within MSF SA’s general management.
B. Team Management
- Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery.
- Provide leadership to and manage MSF SA’s employees, interns and office volunteers engaged in the following activity areas: recruitment, fundraising, programmes and advocacy, medical support to operations, communications and administration & finance.
- Oversee the implementation of MSF SA’s policies, procedures and practices, including the development of job descriptions for all MSF SA staff
- Recruit, interview and select staff based on their technical and personal abilities to help further the MSF SA's mission
- Ensure that all staff receive an introduction to MSF and orientation to MSF SA and that appropriate training is provided.
- Coach, empower and provide training within areas of responsibility to ensure creative growth of MSF SA staff and to optimise results and performances in these areas of expertise.
- Implement a performance management process for all staff, which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review.
- Discipline staff when necessary using relevant policies and release staff when necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures.
- Supervise and coordinate activities with the Management Team, represented by all the Heads of Department in MSF SA.
- Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.
- Ensure good information flows, communication and synergy among all MSF SA staff especially within the Management Team
- To be cognisant of the diversity in the MSF SA office and to the support and actively encourage integration of all staff, interns & office volunteers
C. Communications, Advocacy & Representation
- Represent MSF SA in meetings and act as spokesperson in various platforms including with other Southern African NGOs, Government officials, Institutions, Community groups, Academia, Corporates, Major Donors, etc.
- Ensure, together with the DNA & Communications departments of MSF SA, that MSF International advocacy positions/messages are appropriately represented to relevant authorities, organisations, media and civil society in Southern Africa. Major positions must be communicated and endorsed by the board of MSF Southern Africa.
- Ensure that MSF’s identity, mission and name is used in a representative and consistent manner across all activities of MSF SA, as provided by the MSF Charter and identity documents.
- Act as MSF SA’s official spokesperson, in co-ordination with the MSF SA board, and ensure that this function is delegated, encouraged and assisted among other members of the board, office and association.
D. Accountability to, and collaboration with the Board
- Identify, assess, and inform the Southern African Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization
- Foster effective team work between the MSF SA Board and the General Director and between the General Director and MSF SA staff.
- Provide the MSF SA Board with all material information needed to assist in the task of policy shaping and being the guarantor for the organisation.
- Provide the MSF SA Board with necessary documentation and reporting for the review of executive activities and performance results, and participate in all MSF SA board meetings & General Assembly.
- Together with the Management Team, propose Board meeting agenda points.
- Work with the Board to ensure active participation in the international platforms of MSF and all other international themes and dossiers under discussion and ratified by the MSF SA Board.
- Participate in an annual evaluation conducted by the Board of Directors
E. Operational Centre Brussels
- Work with the Management Team of OCB (especially with the OCB General Director) to strive for the continuation of the meaningful and efficient operational co-ownership and creative implementation of MSF OCB conventions.
- Ensure that the Field HR department is supported in MSF SA’s engagement with MSF’s HR resource sharing agreement.
- Attend and actively participate in the OCB group meetings such as the critical review of OCB operations and activities and the prospects for the coming year, the bi-weekly GD 9 teleconferences, the quarterly Extended Co-dir meetings, OCB board meetings, seminars, etc.
- Contribute to the current debates at General Director Level (resources and operations growth management, improved operationality, rationalisation of resources, vision of OCB governance, decentralisation of competencies etc.) and ensure participation and sensitisation of all members of MSF SA’s executive and Board, including with the President on these topics.
- Seek out and actively carry MSF SA’s views and perspectives to the OCB Group’s various executive platforms.
F. MSF International
- Actively strive for a coherent and accountable international organisation by participating in the debates (shared operationality, growth management, rationalisation, international governance, etc.).
- Contribute and participate actively towards achieving coherence, pertinence and effective coordination of MSF International’s issues.
- Ensure the implementation of MSF International’s management tools.
- Build and maintain networks with other General Directors s in the MSF movement
- Build and maintain relations with the International Secretary General of MSF International.
- Participate actively in the annual Full ExCom meeting with all other GDs
Requirements and Candidate profile
Aptitude/skills/abilities
- Genuine commitment to and understanding of humanitarian principles and the aims and objectives of MSF
- Solid commitment and involvement towards the international dimension of MSF
- Ability to develop vision and a proven track record of translating concepts into practice
- Strong leadership capacity and ability to lead senior management and support a healthy inter-departmental working environment.
- Excellent understanding of humanitarian policy, media engagement and advocacy
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong conflict resolution and management skills
- Strong organisational, reporting and planning skills
- Politically aware and personally resilient, with the ability to assess and influence politics internally and externally to the advantage of our patients
- Excellent presentation skills including for media interviews and speaking in public
- Willingness to learn about the Southern African context and environments relevant for MSF’s operations
- Ability to adapt to various computer-assisted management tools
- Ability to travel at short notice both nationally and internationally
- Willingness to deal with crises outside of office hours if and when they arise
- Driving Licence
Knowledge and experience
- At least 5 years of proven management experience including change management and team development
- Understanding and knowledge of the socio-political and economic realities of Southern Africa
- Knowledge of international political issues
- Working experience in humanitarian field settings
- Working experience in cross cultural settings
- Understanding of financial management issues
- Direct experience of budgeting, fiscal control and financial planning
- Understanding of fundraising
Qualifications
- A relevant masters degree, minimum bachelors degree
Language skills
- Fluent written and spoken English
Valuable
- Knowledge of French spoken and written
- Strong network within the MSF movement
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send your CV and application letter to vacancies@joburg.msf.org by the 19th of February 2016.
