Head of Mission Advisor

Context/purpose:

MSF Switzerland has been operating in Kyrgyzstan since 2006, with a long-standing history of medical interventions (TB, environmental health, emergencies, COVID etc.), including the Women’s Health project (cervical and breast cancer prevention), which is set to close by the end of 2024.

Additionally, the mission has been overseeing the Mental Health project in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which began in 2024.

MSF Switzerland maintains its presence in Kyrgyzstan by transitioning to a Bishkek Antenna Office (BAO) in early 2025, which will ensure preparedness for emergency response through ongoing monitoring of health and humanitarian needs, while fostering strong relationships with local authorities and partners, ensuring full legal compliance, and managing active MoUs.

Job Description

The Head of Mission Advisor (Medical) is critical to the Kyrgyz mission, providing strategic medical leadership, representing MSF in national and international health contexts, and ensuring that MSF’s medical operations are aligned with local needs and MSF’s strategic vision.

Medical Leadership:

• Represent MSF in medical forums, thematic clusters, and conferences.

• Serve as the focal point for health-related matters in Kyrgyzstan, providing insights and guidance to the Head of mission (HOM) and the Cell.

• Monitor emerging health risks and trends, ensuring that MSF’s strategies remain relevant.

  Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPREP):

• Collaborate with the HoM to update and refine the emergency preparedness strategy.

• Conduct training and simulations to build capacity for emergency responses.

• Propose actionable EPREP measures in line with MSF OCG standards.

• Actively participates in any emergency response that should arise under the management of the BAO

  Contextual Analysis and Engagement:

• Conduct actor mapping of key medical stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan.

• Ensure MSF’s medical activities are culturally appropriate and aligned with local expectations.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with health authorities, NGOs, and international organizations.

  Mission Support:

• Provide medical insights for strategic decision-making and governance updates.

• Support the negotiation and management of MoUs with relevant government bodies.

• Participate in operational planning for the Antenna Office in Bishkek

  Staff health support:

  Implements the health policy for international and national staff in Antenna Office in Bishkek, advising on all prophylactic and preventive necessary measures, structures, and emergency plans, managing any medical evacuation in collaboration with SHU.

Your Profile

• Medical doctor.
• Extensive Knowledge of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health and Health System.
• Deep Understanding of Kyrgyz Culture.
• Preferable medical practical experience within the Kyrgyz Health System.
• Fluency in Russian and English is required; proficiency in Kyrgyz is a plus
• Public health studies an asset.
• MSF experience preferable, NGO experience an asset.
• Project medical referent or/and medical coordinator experience e an asset.
• Proven strategic vision and leadership skills in complex humanitarian contexts.
• At least 2 years in managerial position.
• Experience working in mission countries, with a demonstrated capacity for analysis, networking, and negotiation.
• Capacity to understand and navigate cultural sensitivities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills.
• Flexibility and open to feedback with ability to adjust strategies based on new insights.
• Experience in emergency response is an asset.

Depending on our activities and needs, your responsibilities may be adapted and evolve. You will not face these challenges alone; other MSF team members (both international and locally hired staff) will support you. We encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities and all other characteristics of diversity. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and criminal record checks