Head of Staff Health & Wellbeing Unit (SHU)

MSF EASTERN AFRICA IS LOOKING FOR A HEAD OF STAFF HEALTH & WELLBEING UNIT (SHU)Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF EA, we strive to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the need to increase access to professional opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. If you're interested in this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.Firmly committed to safeguarding patients, community members, staff, and all those in contact with the organization from all forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), we will take all necessary steps, through rigorous vetting processes, to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse do not join the organization.For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as Low risk and will be monitored with this in regard.INTRODUCTIONMédecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.ABOUT MSF EASTERN AFRICAMSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE FOR POSITIONThe Head of Staff Health and Well Being Unit (SHU) is responsible for leading and coordinating MSF’s staff health policies, systems, and services to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of MSF staff. The role ensures that MSF EA and MSF Ubuntu staff have access to timely, confidential, high‑quality staff health support before, during and after assignments, aligned with medical standards, and duty of care obligations. This includes International Mobile Staff and country-based staff.This position will be hierarchically accountable to the Director of HR and Administration and functionally accountable to the Medical Director for MSF Ubuntu matters and the Senior Health Advisor on EA mattersTASKS & RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic and Leadership Responsibilities* Lead strategic vision and long‑term planning for Staff Health Unit operations for MSF East Africa and MSF Ubuntu, aligned with MSF global health and wellbeing mandates. * Drive organizational transformation in staff health and safety through policy innovation, strategic development, and risk mitigation. * Develop and implement staff health frameworks, policies, medevac SOPs, referral pathways, and reporting tools for MSF East Africa and MSF Ubuntu country programs. * Coordinate and standardize staff health activities across MSF Ubuntu country programs, ensuring quality, consistency, and ethical management of medical information. * Act as the focal point for staff health, liaising with management, finance and administration leadership, and the MSF international staff health networkTECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIESExecutive Oversight of Service Delivery* Design and evaluate integrated staff health service models to ensure timely, equitable, and high‑quality care across MSF operations. * Lead crisis response protocols, including incident management, medical evacuations, and complex referral pathways. * Provide executive oversight and mentorship to SHU teams, implement quality assurance systems and use data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement.Specific responsibilities for MSF EA and MSF Ubuntu* Ensure comprehensive physical, medical, and psychosocial staff health support for MSF EA and MSF Ubuntu mobile and country‑based staff before, during, and after assignments. * Oversee access to medical, psychological, and psychosocial support services, coordinating closely with medical departments and the international staff health network to uphold minimum staff safety standards. * Lead the coordination of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) systems, including prevention, early identification, referral, and continuity of care. * Provide technical and clinical oversight for complex staff health cases, including medical evacuations, chronic conditions, discharge planning, and safe return‑to‑mission decisions in collaboration with country programs and HQ. * Liaised with referral hospitals and treating clinicians in regional hubs and contributed to clinical risk assessment, case review, and quality improvement, including cases with medical–psychiatric overlap. * Coordinate staff health responses to critical incidents, including medical evacuations, serious illness, injury, and death, in close collaboration with HR, Security, and medical teams in high‑risk contexts. * Led post‑incident follow‑up, ensuring appropriate psychological support, recovery, and safe staff reintegration.Strategic Partnerships & Interagency Coordination* Build and manage strategic partnerships with MSF Operational Centers, external health institutions, and service providers to strengthen staff health service delivery and innovation. * Representing MSF EA and MSF Ubuntu SHU in high‑level internal and external forums, influencing policy, strategic direction, and advocacy for staff health priorities. * Oversee financial and insurance coordination for staff health, including cost‑sharing models, resource optimization, and focal point engagement with International SOS, MSH International, and other insurers.Organizational Development & Capacity Building* Champion a holistic staff wellbeing agenda through strategic initiatives, organizational learning, and psychosocial resilience programs across diverse operational contexts. * Establish clinical supervision frameworks and lead talent management for SHU staff, including recruitment, professional development, leadership development, and succession planning. * Provide case‑based mentoring and technical guidance to Staff Health Officers, strengthening internal capacity to manage complex and culturally responsive staff health care.Other Responsibilities* Be part of the occupational health and safety committee for the MSF EA office and ensure compliance with the Occupational safety and health (OSH) ACT, through license acquisition and following up implementation of the OSH recommendations. * Continuously and consistently integrate Duty of Care, EDI & Safeguarding strategies in practices and processes of induction, development, retention and exit, while building audit capacity to ensure progress and accountability of the same. * Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse. * Compliance Assurance - Ensure that all data processing activities within the Staff Health unit comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations, including the Data Protection Act, 2019 and support your team to receive necessary training in this area. * Policy Adherence - Enforce data protection policies, procedures, and guidelines within the Staff Health unit, ensuring that all team members are aware of and adhere to these protocols. * Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation. * Recognize and reinforce strong performance in the Staff Health team; identify and encourage improvement where needed; and ensure quality and timely performance management process is carried out for the Staff Health team.QUALIFICATIONSEducation* A degree in Medicine or equivalent (MD or equivalent). * Having a Tropical Medicine course or equivalent is an advantage.Experience* MSF experience as a medical coordinator or health advisor is preferred * Minimum 6 to 8 years of experience in health service management, preferably in humanitarian settings. * Proven leadership and team management experience * Experience working with multicultural teams and diverse populationsCompetencies* Technical Competencies * Proficiency in English (Mandatory), other languages – French, Arabic, Swahili or other regional languages (Advantage) * Familiarity with MSF operational structures and duty of care frameworks. * Strong understanding of psychosocial care, medical ethics, and humanitarian principles. * Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership-building skills. * Ability to travel within the region and respond to field needs on short notice. * Behavioral/General Competencies * Commitment to MSF’s Principles * Cross-cultural Awareness * Strategic Vision * Results and Quality Orientation * Service Orientation * Planning and Organizing * Initiative and Innovation * Teamwork and Cooperation * People Management and Development * Networking and Building Relationships * Security awareness and ManagementCONDITIONS AND BENEFITS:* Job Location: MSF Eastern Africa office in Nairobi (Kenya). * Contract: Open-ended, full-term contract. * Start date: As Soon As Possible. * Annual Salary and other benefits: In line with MSF reward policy, Subjected to local conditions. * Work-life balance financial benefit; ranging between EUR 620 to 1,159/month based on individual & administrative status. This amount may be used to cover accommodation and utilities, transportation, etc. * Other benefits include; * Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave per year. * Other Holidays: sick leave, circumstantial leave, maternity leave (21 weeks), paternity leave (4 weeks), own affairs days off, etc. * Employer Pension contribution: 10% of basic salary: * International insurance for both medical and disability**.** * Relocation support; based on MSF EA terms/conditions. * Work-life balance: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible. * School fees benefits: for eligible dependents, based on individual & administrative status. * Diverse team composition; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world. * Career Development: MSF provides many learning resources (online learning resources, regular trainings – including language, Peer to peer learning. * Mobility: You will have opportunities to travel abroad for work, meetings, trainings and workshops; giving you a chance to experience different cultures and broaden your professional network.Annual home leave ticket: To be taken once every year for both staff and eligible dependents back to their home country for vacation. Only applicable to non-Kenyans and based on individual & administrative status.HOW TO APPLY* The vacancy closing date is: 09th April 2026. * This vacancy is open to Local and International Applicants. * By applying to this position, the applicant confirms they have read, understood and agreed to fully comply with MSF Charter and MSF Behavioral Commitments and Data Privacy Policy. * In line with MSF’s Safeguarding Principles, successful candidates undergo a rigorous vetting process that includes background checks and self-declaration. * If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via the vacancy link. * Applicants are required to upload a Letter of Motivation and Curriculum Vitae (in English) as per prescribed formats. Applications missing the motivation letter will not be considered. * If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact [email protected] before the vacancy closing date. Kindly use this email only for technical issues related to your application, for example, if you do not receive an automated response or encounter problems uploading documents. Applications sent directly to this email will not be considered.INFORMATIONThe protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF will not use your personal data in any other way not foreseen for purposes of recruitment.MSF is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any application/ recruitment fee.Lately, MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual applying for MSF roles does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.