Exploration of the Paired OD(s) Concept - Consulting position x2

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.        

We provide emergency medical assistance during armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases, and assist those who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based on need and when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization that remains impartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes the difference between life and death.        

People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they intersect.   

Effective immediately, MSF-OCA is looking for a: 

Exploration of the Paired OD(s) Concept 

 Consulting position x2  

 3-month contract 

Open to all locations 
 

MSF OCA and MSF SA are committed to adapting to the overall increase in scale and complexity of humanitarian crises with growing medical needs by exploring ways to both grow and redistribute MSF’s operational footprint. In March 2025, the South Asia OD intention committee presented its OD concept note to the OCA Council including an intention to work with an existing OC, preferably OCA, to shape this commitment. .

Recently, the paired Operational Directorate(s) (OD(s)) concept was tabled as one possible way for the development of a new OD emerging from South Asia. Broadly, the proposed concept would represent mutualized functional domains, operating to support two separate operational, medical and temoignage-related management lines (as the core ‘MedOps’). It is proposed to undertake an exploration into the paired OD(s) construct in two phases. 

This consultancy will address phase 1: initial exploration of the executive level and transition aspects of the paired OD(s) concept, from both the perspective of OCA and the ambitions of MSF SA to establish an OD emerging from the South Asia region. 

The consultancy team will be made up of two people, working full time, reporting on a daily basis to the OCA General Director and Executive Director MSF SA. The consultancy team will work closely with the OCA MT, specifically the Functional Directors, and the South Asia MT. 

Overall objective of the consultancy 

In line with the objective outlined in the Global Institutional Footprint paper, to both grow and redistribute MSF’s operational footprint, preserving existing operational capabilities and volume in the meantime, MSF OCA and MSF South Asia intend to explore the potential for a new form of OD(s) partnership. This partnership would pair existing MSF strengths with the new capabilities of an OD emerging from the South Asia region, enriching OCA’s practices with new thinking and ways of working, while MSF South Asia benefits from established systems and processes. 

Purpose 

To advise on the feasibility, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks, as well as any potential mitigating actions for risks, of a paired OD(s) concept as a way of enabling a new OD emerging from South Asia and as a potential approach to delivering on a commitment expressed in OCA’s Strategic Plan. The outcome of the exploration would also inform broader discussion in the movement on how we manage the growth and distribution of operational responsibilities between existing and new ODs.  

Key points to address 

MedOps 

Explore possible approaches, opportunities and risks specifically for medical humanitarian operations. 

Capabilities & Support functions 

For more information about the recruitment procedure, please contact: Masha Petrovic (recruiter) at masa.petrovic@amsterdam.msf.org  

***No agencies please***