Deputy Operations Manager – Cell 3

Médicos Sin Fronteras España

Deputy Operations Manager at Médecins Sans Frontières overseeing operational strategies and planning. Ensuring effective functioning and coordination of humanitarian operations at Operational Cell 3.

Posted 4/28/2026full-timeBarcelona • 🇪🇸 SpainMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support the definition and implementation of operational strategies and ensure the effective functioning of Operational Cell 3, contributing to the design, coordination and supervision of high-impact medical-humanitarian operations aligned with MSF principles and policies.
Contribute to organisational and operational strategy by supporting analysis, reflection and positioning on humanitarian crises and dilemmas to inform decision-making.
Support the definition of operational strategies for missions by conducting contextual analyses and ensuring alignment with MSF operational policies.
Coordinate and consolidate mission planning and budgeting processes to ensure coherence between annual operational plans, priorities and allocated resources.
Supervise and support the implementation of operational plans to ensure quality, relevance, accountability and impact of interventions responding to population needs.
Coordinate operational support across technical and support services to ensure integrated and timely assistance to missions.
Strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity within the assigned portfolio through monitoring, guidance and coordination.
Ensure effective functioning of the Operational Cell by supporting coordination, communication and decision-making processes.
Promote information and knowledge management by ensuring documentation, learning and capitalisation processes (including evaluations and close collaboration with the learning unit) are applied and maintained.
Acts as deputy to the Operations Manager and replaces them in their absence.

Requirements

What you’ll need

University degree in a relevant field such as Medicine, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Economics, or a related discipline.
Minimum of 3 years of operational management experience within MSF, including direct responsibility at coordination or mission level.
Previous experience as Head of Mission is required.
Proven experience in emergency response contexts, including the ability to operate in volatile, high-pressure environments.
Strong knowledge of and interest in the international humanitarian context and MSF principles.
Fluent in French and English (both written and spoken) is required.
Spanish is an asset.
Availability and willingness to travel frequently and at short notice.
Flexibility to adapt to demanding working conditions and irregular working hours.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

operational managementcontextual analysismission planningbudgeting processesemergency responsedocumentationevaluationcoordinationsupervisiondecision-making

Soft Skills

flexibilityadaptabilitycommunicationleadershiporganizational skillsanalytical thinkingproblem-solvingteam collaborationinterpersonal skillscapacity building

Certifications

university degree in Medicineuniversity degree in Nursinguniversity degree in Biomedical Sciencesuniversity degree in Social Sciencesuniversity degree in Political Sciencesuniversity degree in Economics