Entrepreneurship in the territories: is it the right time?
Médecins Sans Frontières, international medical humanitarian association founded in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in the event of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or exclusion from healthcare. The French section is present in around thirty countries.
MSF Eastern Africa is looking for a Project Manager for the Intersectional MSF Hazardous Waste Project – based in Nairobi (MSF OCP Cell)Introduction:
Médecins 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.
Rationale/Objective for Position
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is launching an ambitious, intersectional pilot project to develop an integrated approach for managing non-medical hazardous waste in countries with limited treatment options. Initially focused on South Sudan, the project aims to establish a sustainable, replicable model for responsible waste management across MSF missions.
Due to the complex security context, the project will begin with a remote Phase 0, assessing feasibility and preparing for implementation in South Sudan or an alternative country (Plan B: Chad, DRC, or CAR). This position is critical to the success of the project’s early phases and may be extended to lead the full implementation and capitalization phases. The role will serve as the central driver of this high-impact initiative, coordinating across MSF operational centers, technical departments, and external partners to deliver innovative, scalable solutions. As the Project Manager, the role will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of Phases 0 and 1. The role will be responsible for:
- Piloting and directing all project activities across multiple MSF operational centers.
- Engaging high-level stakeholders (internal and external) to ensure alignment, buy-in, and effective governance. • Managing complexity in a volatile context, including remote coordination, crossborder logistics, and regulatory navigation. • Delivering results that inform a go/no-go decision for full-scale implementation. This position will report to the Cell Logistics Manager. Tasks & Responsibilities
1-Human resource management
- Recruit, induct, and manage the field-based Watsan (Water, Hygiene, Sanitation) Manager to work on the project. • Functionally manage the field-based teams assigned to the project from all participating MSF sections.
- Motivate, build capacity, and evaluate his/her team.
- Demonstrate project leadership with all stakeholders.
2-Project management
- Coordinate the project steering committee meetings, keeping the steering committee informed of project advancement and evolution.
- Perform all necessary reporting to the TIC Secretariat and keep project documents updated.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with national authorities, export partners, and MSF leadership to ensure project alignment and compliance. • Independently manage the budget for the TIC project (totaling over $400k) with regular follow-up and reporting.
3- Implementing Phase 0 – Remote Feasibility & Strategic Planning
- Assess feasibility of alternative implementation countries (Plan B: Chad, DRC, CAR).
- Conduct remote situational analysis for South Sudan (Plan A remains priority).
- Coordinate with supply and technical referents to define waste reduction strategies.
- Collect and analyze hazardous waste inventories across MSF projects together with the teams based in the field.
- Define field-level responsibilities and draft SOPs. • Initiate discussions with exporters; evaluate transport routes and destinations. • Update project documentation and define Phase 1 roadmap.
- Maintain regular communication with the Steering Committee and TIC Secretariat.
- 4- Implementation Phase 1 – Field Feasibility & Operational Setup
- Finalize stakeholder mapping and governance structure. • Update and finalize the waste inventory at field level.
- Identify and engage with relevant authorities and export partners.
- Ensure the establishment of interim storage and transport logistics.
- Develop detailed budget and operational plan for Phase 2.
