Role Overview

In just two months since the official declaration of the Ebola disease outbreak, we are already confronted with the third largest Ebola outbreak and the fastest on record, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases in DRC to date. In 2 months, we have already reached about half of the total cases reported during the 2018–2020 outbreak in the same country (the world’s second largest Ebola disease outbreak, which lasted just under two years, with a total of 3,381 reported cases). 

Additionally, the current outbreak has already achieved a broader geographic footprint than the 2018–2020 outbreak and has done so in a matter of months. With more than 700 deaths since the official declaration of the Ebola disease outbreak in Uganda and DRC, the situation remains a public health emergency.  More than 1,400 MSF staff are currently responding in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, working alongside the Congolese health authorities.

The MSF USA Ebola Focal Point will act as the centralized focal point of contact for an efficient emergency staffing response from MSF USA coordinating essential information flow, processes and resources pertaining to the Ebola outbreak response from MSF USA IHR Department. The Ebola focal point will lead the MSF USA core response team which include representatives from IHR, People OPS, Talent, US Medical Unit and other stakeholders as needed. The Ebola Focal Point is accountable for the implementation of US staff return protocols and post assignment observation period follow-up as per MSF and US CDC standards. 

This role is temporary and will fulfill a vital immediate need and has an anticipated duration of 6 months, minimally through the end of 2026.

Department Accountabilities

Organizational Culture & Create a Safe Space 

Set and drive transparent goals, targets and ADEI&B initiatives that yield the most significant, scalable, quantifiable, and sustained impact for a more human-centered, engaged, and productive workplace.; building a culture that fosters trust, collaboration high performance, respect, and belonging  among diverse  teams and peoples. 

Performance Management & Talent Development-  

Develop and implement policies and processes that provide an integrated, structured approach to individual development planning, performance goal setting, performance feedback, and formal appraisal to meet business needs and to support individuals in realizing their potential. The review is done one time per year after which decisions are taken on whether the employee's pay should be changed or increased. 

Employee Engagement  

Create a workplace culture that is engaging and motivating for employees. This involves creating opportunities for employees to connect with each other, providing professional development opportunities, and creating a positive work environment. 

Compliance and HR Operations 

Execute and manage P&C operations using predetermined protocols and procedures to achieve specified operational performance standards. 

Compensation & Benefits Review 

Designed and administered compensation and benefits packages for staff. This includes setting salaries, providing health insurance and other benefits and managing payroll..  

Talent Acquisitions  

Fill permanent or temporary positions within an organization by attracting, shortlisting, selecting, hiring, appointing, and integrating the best-qualified candidates in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

Payroll Administration 

Carry out the payroll administration processes required to ensure that employees are paid correctly at the right time. 

Roles Specific Outcomes

• Coordinate MSF USA Ebola response multi-disciplinary team composed of representatives from IHR, Talent, People OPS, US Medical Unit and acts as Team Lead overseeing preparedness, implementation and follow-up of MSF USA staffing response.
• Report regularly on MSF USA response, challenges, achievements and plans.
• Serve as a point of contact for non-medical matters for the OC SHU Ebola Focal points to ensure MSF-USA is up to date on their policies and procedures, overseeing information flow to the relevant personnel in the P&C department and others in MSF-USA.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure that MSF-USA policies for post-return surveillance and employment are approved by OC counterparts and compliant with US specific (USG, CDC) and MSF standards.
• Support IHROs and P&C department in confirming OC and MSF-US pre departure and post return requirements.
• Oversee the department’s Ebola action planning tool in collaboration with the IHR Director, ensure that adequate support and resources are available to the team.
• Liaise with the P&C subunits (People OPS, IHR, Talent team) and other relevant stakeholders as needed to ensure optimal communication and information sharing.
• Conduct as required Ebola specific briefings/debriefings for Mobile Staff to maintain clarity of information, coherence of preparedness and feedback loops.
• Coordinate pre-departure health related questions (between IMS<->SHU) and ensure that answers provided are consistent with OC and MSF USA Policies.
• Work in close collaboration with the Global Mobility team to anticipate and manage IMS movements to and from the Ebola context, ensuring all staff returning from the Ebola context complete the ‘Return Form’ and are informed of what to expect upon return.
• Liaise with Director of US Health Unit in order to finalize return plan for IMS based on risk assessment, MSF-USA policy, and local health authority guidelines.
• Conduct regular check-ins with IMS during their monitoring period post return (as needed per CDC/local health authorities recommendations)
• Refer medical questions/concerns to the Director of US Health Unit as needed
• Update internal Ebola knowledge management repository on Sharepoint to ensure traceability of decisions/ actions/ communications and capitalization of knowledge
• Provide comprehensive wrap-up /lessons learnt assessment at end of the intervention for the continuous improvement of processes in MSF USA ahead of future interventions.

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills

• Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others on making sure that the organization manages its employee relations within a clear framework that embodies corporate values and policies, while also complying with all legal requirements.
• Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on developing, monitoring, interpreting and understanding policies and procedures, while making sure they match organizational strategies and objectives.

Behavioral Competencies

THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different.

People Focus

Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.

Manages Complexity

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.

Global Perspective

Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.

Cultivates Innovation

Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.

Strategic Mindset

Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.

RESULTS: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs.

Drives Results

Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way.

Ensures Accountability

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

PEOPLE: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals.

Collaborates

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

 Communicates Effectively

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Values Differences

Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

Builds Effective Teams

Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

Manages Conflict

Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

Builds Networks

Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.

 Drives Vision and Purpose

Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.

Instills Trust

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.

Manages Ambiguity

Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.

 Situational Adaptability

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

 Being Resilient

Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

 Technical Competencies

 Plans and Aligns

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals.

 Financial Acumen

Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.

 Tech Savvy

Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.

 Data Collection and Analysis

The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.

 Project Management Skills

The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters.

 Presentation and Written Communication Skills

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.

 Organizational Insight

Applying knowledge of MSF-USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.

Supervisory Responsibility

No supervisory responsibility for this position

Desired Qualifications & Experience

At a minimum the Job Holder should possess:

·     Demonstrated experience with and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

·     Adherence to MSF safeguarding principles, culture and standards

·     Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF

·     Minimum 2 years of international humanitarian experience in supervisory/coordination roles

·     Demonstrated understanding of, and prior experience with, HR policies applicable to international mobile staffing

Preferable assets:

·     Medical or paramedical background with prior knowledge of US health authorities’ structure ( central/ state/ county level)

·     Prior experience in Viral Hemorrhagic Fever outbreak response (based in US or in programme-countries).

·     Good knowledge and understanding of MSF emergency response structures, Operational Centers, Staff Health Units and Mobile staff deployment process

Travel Requirements 

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel

OFFICE LOCATION

NYC (Hybrid- in office Tuesdays and Wednesdays) 
This role is based in New York, where most of the team and operational infrastructure are located. Due to current staffing and budget constraints, we’re unable to support this position in our Washington, DC, or California offices. 

Compensation

$78,399 to $117,599 annually; In alignment with MSF USA’s compensation framework, new hires are generally offered between the minimum and midpoint of the range based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity