HEAD OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Médecins Sans Frontières, founded in 1971, is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of medical professionals, logistics, administrative and various other professions, all guided by our medical ethics and our principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

MSF WaCA, created in 2019, is the first MSF headquarters in Africa, and responds to the desire to reinvent the MSF movement after 50 years of humanitarian actions in the world, for more access to care, more reactivity and proactivity for greater medical coverage of affected populations in the world.

MSF WaCA promotes a work environment free from any form of abuse and harassment for all staff, patients, beneficiaries, and partners. Safeguarding and inclusion are therefore paramount.

Why join us?

You are preparing to become a member of the MSF family, with over 50 years of emergency medical action that earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

We are an inclusive organization that considers social and professional well-being a right for all and provides an environment that takes into account the diversity of each member.

MSF WaCA claims an African anchorage that considers the local expertise with which it contributes in the implementation of its activities and makes each member, a key actor of the new dynamics of the humanitarian action in the world.

We Are Looking for: HEAD OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Department: General Management

Direct Manager: General Director

Functional Manager: General Director

Working %: 100%

Position Based in: Abidjan with possible international travel up to 30%.

Mobility: All WaCA’s Interventions Zones

**Type of Contract: Fixed-**Term Renewable

Position to be filled: As Soon As Possible

Objectives

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is seeking a HEAD OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS to join our dynamic team at MSF WaCA. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in managing and addressing IT-related needs across the organization, overseeing ICT infrastructure, data and network security, website management, and providing innovative strategy and digital solutions in line with the Organization strategic plan.

Main responsibilities

As the Head of Information Systems, your primary responsibilities will involve formulating and implementing comprehensive IT strategies aligned with the organization’s overall plans. You will directly manage the IT team, overseeing critical tasks such as troubleshooting, system updates, and the installation of hardware and software across the organization. Daily operational oversight, ensuring efficiency and adherence to company policies, will be a key aspect of your role.

Specific Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement IT strategies and plans aligned with MSF WaCA’s overall strategies and annual plans.
• Lead and manage IT projects at head office, ensuring adherence to essential IT policies and guidelines.
• Coordinate with the MSF movement, serving as the main contact for Shared IT Services and other IT leaders across the movement.
• Participate in international IT meetings as required.
• Collaborate with legal advisers on GDPR and data protection initiatives, mainstreaming digital data protection standards in all relevant MSF WaCA initiatives.
• Lead and manage the IS team through quality staff management, including recruiting, training, managing, and evaluating a skilled, motivated, and user-oriented team.
• Represent MSF WaCA in international platforms and establish partnerships with technology providers to ensure support and continuity.
• Act as an internal IT consultant for Directors/Heads/Managers of other departments to contribute to setting long- and mid-term strategies and short-term plans.
• Lead and manage IT system, network, and application/software development projects.
• Ensure essential IT/data/information-related policies, rules, and guidelines are designed.
• Be accountable for delivering relevant IT annual objectives on time and on budget.
• Ensure that digital data protection standards are respected.
• Monitor the ITSM tool and the SharePoint with all stakeholders.
• Conduct staff training in Agile methodology and the use of a Project management tool.
• Implement an ISO based information security management system.
• Centralize management using a cloud console for all IT equipment.
• Manage crisis situations, which may involve technical hardware/software problems.

Additional Responsibilities

• Continually optimize IT governance and decision-making processes.
• Propose and implement a governance and organization model referencing industry standards (ITIL/COBIT).
• Propose relevant KPIs for the Technology teams and its members.
• Create partnerships with technology providers such as Microsoft and others and ensure support and continuity.
• Lead the overall decision-making process on information systems for business needs (DHIS, HRIS, Supply, and others).

Job requirements

Education

• Master’s (BAC+5) degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Industry certificates desirable (PRINCE 2, CCA, CISCO, ITIL and/or PMP).
• Over five years of experience in Information System and Technology management.
• Minimum three years of experience working for an international organization operating in low-resource settings.

Competencies

• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, tools, data strategy, data encryption and security.
• Ability to manage a remote team efficiently.
• Proficiency in data governance and information lifecycle management.

Professional experience required

• Good understanding of the MSF mission/field setup.
• Strong organizational and office technology skills
• Advanced background with ERP systems
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, planning, and project management.
• Ability to identify and solve major issues through analysis and decision-making.
• Combination of technical skills and leadership skills.

Languages Skills

• Working proficiency in English and French

Computer Skills

• MS Office suite (mainly MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint)

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MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground.

Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

N.B.: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position. It is not exhaustive. Therefore, the responsibilities and activities of the position may differ from those described in this job description due to organizational and operational needs.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.