Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse
Context & Mission
Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).
Its Operational Centre in Geneva (MSF OCG) manages medical assistance programmes in 22 countries, whilst MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together.
The Research Unit on Humanitarian Stakes and Practices (UREPH – Unité de Recherche sur les Enjeux et Pratiques Humanitaires) is an internal research and reflection group of MSF OCG created to support the way MSF projects are implemented in the field through participating in critical thinking on humanitarian and medical action, notably by direct field team support as required and by producing publications and organizing conferences and debates. The UREPH conducts research with the objective of improving the understanding of operational issues, along with contributing to analytical and reflective positioning on humanitarian stakes and practices. The development of technical and/or strategic solutions adapted to complex medical challenges faced in the field, or to fulfil chosen medical ambitions, is under the responsibility of the Medical Department. Collaborative work between the two departments is essential when it comes to addressing ethical issues.
Also based in Geneva, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested. The International Medical Secretary (IMS) is the head of the International Medical Secretariat of MSF International. The Secretariat provides senior executive medical leadership to the MSF movement via MSF’s International Office. Its role is to enhance and strengthen MSF’s work by ensuring that priorities and innovations in MSF’s medical practice are defined, promoted, and moved forward by each Operational Directorate via appropriate processes, as part of an international agenda.
The mission is to lead and develop reflection (real-time and/or retrospective) and operational research projects on medical ethics in humanitarian action.
Medical Ethics is a cornerstone of MSF’s medical humanitarian action and since 2011 it has been one of the overarching themes of research conducted at UREPH. There are staff dispersed throughout the MSF Movement working and discussing critical challenges and ethical dilemmas affecting humanitarian populations, with links to internal and external forums. In order to empower MSF staff and in effect, the populations we aim to empower, it is critical to have a space where reflections, analysis and debates on medical ethics can be fostered.
The medical dimension of MSF work is critical while often under-used in its ability to create working space and opportunities (at local and global level). As part of a small UREPH team, the Senior Researcher is amongst the leading persons within MSF Switzerland/Operational Centre Geneva (OCG) for the capitalisation and the research around health and ethical issues. The Senior Researcher will explore ways to develop this frame in close collaboration with the Medical and Operations departments of MSF OCG. Equally, from the MSF International perspective, the Senior Researcher will lead on supporting medical ethical reflection across the MSF Movement bringing together internal and external ethical expertise to improve the ethical delivery of MSF medical operations in complex humanitarian environments.
Responsibilities
The Senior researcher is responsible for leading, developing, and capitalizing medical ethics dossiers according to both the UREPH’s and the International Medical Secretariat’s respective work program and annual plans. He/She represents MSF in various forays regarding the dossiers under his/her responsibility and makes himself/herself available to carry out field assignments and visits and other functions within the conduct of his/her work*.*
Your Profile
Education
- Medical Doctor
- Academic degree in medical, bioethics or another relevant field of ethics
Experience
- MSF operational experience (field and HQ)
- Experience in field research
- Experience and ability to build and animate a network of resources
- Academic experience (peer review publications, academic articles…)
Skills/ Technical competencies
- Ability to write reports and peer-review publications
- Ability to represent and to animate teams
- Ability to participate and facilitate ethical reflection
- Ability to understand and deal with institutional issues
- Ability to understand operational and humanitarian stakes
Languages
- Fluent in English and French
Personal Abilities
- Team-spirit while able to work autonomously
- Organised and structured way of working
Terms of Employment
- Full-time position (40h/week)
- Open-ended contract
- Working place: Geneva
- Ideal start date: ASAP
- Gross annual salary: from CHF 109’560.- to CHF 124’980.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)
- Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
- Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member
- Relocation package if moving from a different country to Switzerland.
How to apply
Candidates submit their application following the requirements: CV 2 p. max. – letter of motivation 1p. max. – in French or English.
Deadline for application is October 22nd, 2023.
We reserve the right to close the position early if we consider the number and quality of applications received to be sufficient.
The applications will be treated confidentially.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Only applications submitted on our recruitment platforms will be considered.
Please note that we do not wish to use the services of recruitment or placement agencies.
At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together for the social mission of MSF to create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.
We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.
MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.
To apply for this job please visit reliefweb.int.