Médecins Sans Frontières Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine Director Jobs in Kenya
About the Role
The Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine Director provides strategic leadership, technical oversight and visionary direction for MSF Eastern Africa's Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine portfolio.
The role oversees the Anthropology, Climate and Environmental Health, and Epidemiology & Medical Data Science units, ensuring public health interventions are evidence-based, culturally informed and responsive to humanitarian needs.
The Director serves as MSF Eastern Africa's principal medical voice, influencing regional and global health agendas while strengthening medical-humanitarian operations across Eastern Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and drive MSF Eastern Africa's public health and humanitarian medicine strategy.
Align regional priorities with MSF Ubuntu medical-operational priorities and the MSF Global Strategic Vision.
Identify emerging public health challenges and humanitarian health needs across the region.
Technical and Operational Leadership
Translate epidemiological, climate and socio-cultural intelligence into practical recommendations for operations and advocacy.
Lead multidisciplinary integration of medical data science, environmental health and anthropology into humanitarian programming.
Identify neglected humanitarian health issues and propose innovative operational responses.
Contribute to organizational leadership as a member of the MSF Eastern Africa Management Team.
Oversight of Specialized Units
Medical Data Science and Epidemiology
Provide oversight for epidemiological surveillance, outbreak analytics, operational research and health information systems.
Promote responsible data governance and ethical use of health data.
Support capacity building for epidemiologists and field teams.
Climate and Environmental Health
Guide development of climate-sensitive disease monitoring systems and adaptation strategies.
Support anticipatory action and climate-health vulnerability assessments.
Position MSF Eastern Africa as a leader in climate and health within humanitarian settings.
Anthropology
Strengthen community engagement through applied medical anthropology.
Ensure socio-cultural insights inform outbreak response, mental health, vaccination and reproductive health programs.
Promote culturally responsive health interventions.
Medical Operations and Technical Support
Serve as the primary medical link between MSF Eastern Africa and MSF Ubuntu Medical Operations.
Provide technical guidance during emergencies, outbreaks and humanitarian crises.
Support development and review of medical guidelines, protocols and policy documents.
Facilitate deployment of specialized technical expertise to field operations.
External Representation and Advocacy
Represent MSF Eastern Africa at regional and international health platforms.
Engage with WHO, Africa CDC, EAC, IGAD, academic institutions and ministries of health.
Participate in scientific conferences, humanitarian forums and policy dialogues.
Support global health advocacy initiatives on access to medicines, pandemic preparedness, climate justice and protection of healthcare services.
Internal Leadership and Organizational Influence
Collaborate with senior leadership across Operations Support, Communications, Human Resources and Finance.
Advise the General Director and Board on public health trends, opportunities and risks.
Promote a culture of medical ethics, independence and humanitarian principles.
Lead internal learning initiatives and knowledge-sharing forums.
Resource Mobilization and Innovation
Identify funding opportunities to support research, innovation and capacity-building initiatives.
Contribute to grant development and donor engagement.
Promote innovation in epidemiology, climate-health science and humanitarian medicine.
Document and publish public health achievements and learning
experiences.
Additional Responsibilities
Act as Officer-in-Charge for the General Director when delegated.
Undertake field visits to MSF projects across the region.
Promote safeguarding, equity, diversity and inclusion standards.
Ensure compliance with legal, ethical and data protection requirements.
Support staff performance management and professional development.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
A Medical Degree (MD or equivalent).
Postgraduate qualification in Public Health, Epidemiology, Tropical Medicine or a related discipline at Master's level or higher is strongly preferred.
Additional training in humanitarian affairs, health policy, anthropology, climate and health or related disciplines is an added advantage.
Experience
Minimum 10–12 years of progressive experience in humanitarian medicine, public health or global health.
At least five (5) years in a senior leadership role within MSF or a comparable international humanitarian organization.
Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
Demonstrated experience representing organizations at high-level health, policy and humanitarian forums.
Strong operational experience in humanitarian emergencies, outbreaks or complex crises.
Experience integrating medical operations, advocacy, communications and partnerships.
Familiarity with Eastern Africa's humanitarian and public health landscape is highly desirable.
Technical Competencies
Strategic public health leadership.
Epidemiology and health data analysis.
Climate and environmental health expertise.
Humanitarian health programming.
Medical anthropology and community engagement.
Policy development and advocacy.
Research and evidence-based decision-making.
Partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
Excellent public speaking and diplomatic skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Behavioral Competencies
Strong commitment to humanitarian principles and medical ethics.
Courageous advocate for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Resilience and adaptability in complex environments.
Collaborative leadership and emotional intelligence.
Humility and respect for diverse communities and perspectives.
High ethical standards and commitment to safeguarding.
Languages
Fluency in English is required.
French, Arabic, Swahili or other regional languages are an added advantage.
Compensation and Benefits
Contract: 3-Year Renewable Contract
Annual Salary: EUR 62,183
Additional Benefits Include:
Monthly work-life balance benefit ranging from EUR 620 to EUR 1,159.
25 days annual leave.
Sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave and additional leave provisions.
10% employer pension contribution.
International medical and disability insurance.
Relocation support.
Hybrid work arrangement with up to two remote working days.
School fees support for eligible dependents.
Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
International travel and mobility opportunities.
Annual home leave ticket for eligible international staff and dependents.
How to apply
For more information and job application details, see; Médecins Sans Frontières Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine Director Jobs in Kenya
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