MSF recrute un Social Science Operational Research Advisor
Context
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides aid in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed, or political affiliation.
MSF Luxembourg is a historical partner section of the MSF movement created in 1986. With 35 staff members, the section’s team works to raise awareness on humanitarian issues among Luxembourg’s population, raise funds needed to finance humanitarian interventions, supports MSF volunteers who go into the field and carry out operational research projects directly linked to health programs to help improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) is one of the, at current 6 Operational Directorates or Operational Centres, the others are Operational Centres Amsterdam (OCA), Barcelona (OCBA), Geneva (OCG), Paris (OCP), Nairobi (Ubuntu) and Western and Central Africa (WaCa). OCB is made up of nine MSF partner sections (Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, South Africa and Sweden) and the Lebanon Branch Office.
The OCB Medical Department is a network of units, the Brussels Medical Unit (BRUMED in Brussels), the Southern African Medical Unit (SAMU) in Cape Town, the Luxembourg Operational Research unit (LuxOR) in Luxembourg, the Middle East Medical Unit (MEMU) in Beirut and the Brazilian Medical Unit (BRAMU) in Latin America and the Abidjan Medical Unit in Abidjan. The medical operations of OCB are covered between seven Operational Cells that support different countries.
Luxembourg Operational Research unit (LuxOR) was founded in 2009 by MSF Luxembourg and is a part of the MSF-OCB Medical Department but collaborates widely with all entities in the MSF movement. Operational Research helps MSF take an in-depth look at its programs and operations, evaluates what is working well, and shows what can and needs to be improved. Since 2019, LuxOR added to OR the support and a coordination role for the different epidemiology advisors and field epidemiologists, providing technical support, guidance and advice to the field-epidemiologists in the different OCB missions with the aim to improve data quality, analyses and visualization to support operational decision-making.
MSF OCB Abidjan Medical Unit (AMU) and WaCa (West and Central Africa) The OCB-Abidjan Medical Unit (AMU) is hosted in Ivory Coast, Abidjan and hosts different medical and technical referents from different OCB departments with the aim to be closer embedded in the region of operations in west and Central Africa (through OCBs operational Cells 1 and 2). MSF-WaCa is a newer MSF entity with the ambitions to become an Operational Centre in the future. The OCB-AMU is hosted in the same building as WaCa and the entities work with each other through an agreement model established between the medical departments of OCB and WaCa. Operational research and epidemiology support executed by LuxOR are also part of this agreement.
The position will be working as an OR advisor supporting global operations of OCB but will also focus on strengthening capacity in the West and Central African region.
MAIN PURPOSE:
The Operational Research Advisor guides and supports all stages of operational research—from developing study protocols and ensuring methodological and ethical quality to analyzing data, disseminating results, and advising on strategic research priorities for research. The role also strengthens research capacity, promotes OR engagement within and outside MSF, and fosters collaboration across teams, partners, and thematic units.
The Operational Research Advisor will support operational research activities at different level: project(s), country(ies), HQ and movement level.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Education: Postgraduate training in Social sciences, Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, Qualitative Methods for Public Health (MSc, level, PhD is a strong asset). Specific training and practical competence in applied medical anthropology is an advantage. Advanced studies on research methodologies are desirable. Possess valid and updated certification in good clinical practice (GCP).
Experience: Proven track record of field research experience in MSF or another humanitarian NGO, including having conducted ethnographic works in a low resource settings. Experience in designing and implementing complex studies in humanitarian settings; or experience in managing research with different methodologies. Science communication experiences is an advantage.
Languages: High fluency in English (C1 or above). French is a requirement (C1 or above).
Knowledge: A Social sciences profile is required. A specific orientation towards medical anthropology or anthropology of global health and humanitarian settings is an asset. Understanding of the main theoretical debates on social sciences applied in health and humanitarian contexts.
Competencies: Proficiency qualitative methods and analysis for public health. Strong skills in study designs, analytical methods, reflexivity, positionality and data analysis and interpretation. Knowledge of different software packages is an added value: Nvivo or similar for data analysis, Data collection tools (Kobo, RedCap). Experience in scientific protocol writing and proven use of different qualitative study designs, including profound understanding of the concepts of bias. High degree of understanding and practicing reflexivity and positionality throughout all phases of research process. Understanding of theoretical debates on social sciences and medical anthropology. Capacity to develop mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) research designs in coordination with other research advisors. Capacity to quickly get familiar with the literature on different topics related to the operational priorities. A high degree of initiative and work autonomy, team interaction and diplomacy are required to be able to interact at various levels within the department, in MSF and outside. Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, contexts, tasks, responsibilities, and people. Willingness and ability to function in a team, transparent communication with colleagues. Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with stakeholders. Solid scientific integrity, transparency, attention to detail. Ability to handle multiple projects or activities simultaneously, and to deliver quality outputs within deadlines. Proactivity and leadership capacity to drive operational epidemiological activities. Flexibility for regular travel (up to 30% of working time), possibly at short notice. Ability and willingness to spend time in often difficult and unstable contexts. Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment. Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments.
CONTRACT CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS
One year contract with probationary period and possibility of extension - Full time. Based in Abidjan within the newly established OCB Abidjan medical Unit. This can be a family duty station. Monthly gross salary will depend on the location, professional experience and years of MSF experience. Health insurance, transport allowance as per relevant MSF policy. Contract start date: April/May 2026. Deadline application date: 16th March 2026.
MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data. For more information, consult our privacy notice to job applicants.
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