MSF Staff Russel Craig Filbey, deputy administrator at the Medecins Sans Frontieres Hosptial in Aweil, South Sudan, Africa. © Peter Bauza

Financial Coordinators

From ensuring that finances are available to fund a fast scale-up of operations so that MSF can respond immediately to a natural disaster, through to making sure that finances are managed carefully, appropriately and in line with local laws in the country, MSF finance coordinators make sure that every department has what it needs to do the best job possible, no matter what happens.

Responsibilities

As a financial coordinator (FinCo) with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will be primarily responsible for the financial management of all our projects in a country.

You will work in close collaboration with the finance team in our headquarters and with the project teams in the country where you are based. Your tasks will include budgeting, financial administration, budgetary control and managing cash flow, as well as preparing financial proposals and reports for institutional donors and MSF headquarters. You will supervise administrative staff and deal with local authorities and organizations. You will be part of the management team in the country where you are posted, and will be based in the capital with regular visits to the field projects.

Requirements

  • Education and experience in financial administration (accounting and reporting) and financial management (planning and budget control)
  • Minimum two years relevant experience in a similar role
  • Familiarity with human resources management
  • Proven ability to work as part of a senior management team, including project planning responsibilities
  • Experience in managing staff in a multicultural team (supervision / training)
  • Excellent command of English and French (level B2) or another language (Arabic, Spanish). You can refer to the following evaluation grid
  • Relevant travel or work experience in contexts similar to where MSF works (armed conflicts, natural disasters, public health emergencies or situations of healthcare exclusion)
  • Available to work 9 to 12 months

Assets

  • Knowledge of financial guidelines of major national and international funding institutions for budgeting and reporting
  • Ability to understand and function in different legal environments
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and various accounting software

MSF Core Competencies

  • Behaviour flexibility: Level 2
    • Adapts behaviour to the needs of the situation
  • Teamwork and cooperation: Level 2
    • Shares information and coordinates with team and others
  • Result and quality orientation: Level 2
    • Works towards objectives, preserving established standards
  • Commitment to MSF principles: Level 1
    • Demonstrates knowledge of and accepts MSF’s principles
  • People management: Level 2
    • Gives feedback and sets limits
  • Cross-cultural awareness: Level 3
    • Demonstrates an integrating attitude
  • Stress management: Level 2
    • Manages own stress
  • Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI): Level 1
    • Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context

Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context

To find out more about MSF core competencies, please look here.

You can find a comprehensive view of MSF career paths here.

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. Doctors Without Borders 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.

Please watch this video for information on how MSF manages security.

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.

Please watch this video for information on how MSF manages security.

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. See more information on the terms of employment.

MSF favours at least 2 years of active commitment during which time international staff complete 2 to 4 assignments. There are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization, into the medical, non-medical and coordination streams. For more information on learning and development as well as career opportunities with MSF, see our FAQ.

To learn more about how MSF supports IMGs with EPIC service, free of cost, click here.

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.

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