Security Risk Management Unit Coordinator

CONTEXT 

The Security Risk Management Unit (SRMU) is based within the Operations Department of MSF Belgium (OCB – Operational Centre Brussels).

Our unit aims to strengthen MSF OCB’s skills and experience in security and crisis management, particularly with regard to adapting mindset, decision-making processes and tools in response to volatile security contexts.

Security and crisis management at MSF OCB ensures operational continuity in the most insecure environments and protects staff and patients. The SRMU works on both prevention and incident management, supporting MSF OCB’s approach to security risk management.

As the Security Risk Management Unit Coordinator (SRMU Coordinator), you’ll lead a five-person team, balancing long-term strategy with emergency support while reporting directly to the Director of Operations.

The role emphasizes openness to innovation and external practices to continuously strengthen security management. Involvement in critical incidents or operational deployments in unstable environments is expected, offering support to project teams, HUBs, or HQs as needed.

Analyzing and reassessing MSF OCB’s positions on security and crisis management is essential to guiding strategic direction.

Participation in key MSF OCB platforms—such as the Board Security Committee, CODIR, and CO/DO meetings—is part of the role, as is representing the organization on inter-sectional platforms alongside other Coordinators, Sharing Incident Memory and Mitigation (SIMM), or International Security Agreement (ISA).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

IMMEDIATE URGENT SUPPORT:

1. Strengthening decision-making and the role of safeguarding  

• Support the Cell Officer and the Emergency Coordinator (Epool) for immediate decision-making in insecure contexts

• Provide advice on managing critical incidents using an operational reasoning methodology recognised by MSF OCB

• Warn & advise the Directorate of Operations regarding major risks, losses and the crossing red lines

• Support the Project Coordinator and Country Representative in making immediate decisions in insecure environments

• Advise the General Director and Operations Director on whether to activate the crisis management mechanism

2. Security support to the operation (Project visits) from 2 to 4 per year 

• Provide an operational support to the projects upon request, for the design and implementation of Security Risk Management (SRM) procedures in the project and / or for the review of the Security management strategy at project level

• Offer an external perspective on critical issues through project visits initiated by the Directorate of Operations or the Coordinator of Operations

• Contribute to promoting an embedded Security Risk Management culture among MSF-OCB projects

• Contribute to the Security Risk Management “individualized support” with an identified Country Coordinators, Project Coordinators or Logistics Coordinator

• Update and share all Security Risk Management & Crisis Management tools and templates

3. Security Stakes Representation 

• Participate in the weekly SFP platform and represents MSF OCB (and the ISA/SIMM platforms)

• Supports the Country participant and represent MSF OCB on interdesk meetings when necessary.

• Monitor crisis management in other sections to obtain the information needed to advise the DirOPS.

4. MSF OCB Crisis management Response  

• Ensures that Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) MSF OCB positions are matched by the right resources

• Supports the TL in implementing a methodological approach validated during a crisis (in conjunction with the MSF OCB crisis management protocol)

LONG TERM SUPPORT:

1. Strategic vision 

• Guarantee and monitors SRMU’s strategy

• Assess operations support needs and diagnose unit adaptation requirements. (with the Ops & Analysis Unit).

• Document every crisis and incident report and ensures the MSF incident report mechanism (SINDY) is functional

• Contribute to the ROAD Map OPS and to all cross-departmental initiatives within MSF OCB (the Safeguard initiative, Duty of care, etc.).

• Propose positioning in relation to security risk exposure and issues

2. Unit Management 

• Set priorities and coordinates the unit’s activities

• Run SRMU administrations & People management duty

• Manage the distribution of contexts between SRMU members & ensures clear communication with operations

• Ensure the team’s well-being

3. Training and learning 

• Ensure that SRMU international training courses and workshops are delivered worldwide (both for SRM & CM)

• Adapts the objectives and content of training courses according to need

4. Network & Contact

• Research and develop external key contacts for MSF OCB for security and crisis management support

• Participate to platform (internal & external) on SRM & CM (Crisis Management consultant, others SFP, SFP from other INGOq, specialist external contacts, the army and intelligence)

• Link external contacts with operations

5. MSF OCB Crisis management (Preparedness)   

• Ensure that MSF OCB country teams in volatile environments, headquarters and partner sections are trained in the basic crisis management package

• Be responsible for updating MSF OCB’s crisis management protocol

• Ensures that lessons learnt from other cases (external & internal) are absorbed into our practice

• Safeguard role and identify vulnerabilities and response malfunctions

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ international experience working with an International NGO, including 2 years in volatile contexts

• 2 years’ experience in a coordination position (Project Coordinator, Country Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator)

• Previous international MSF experience is mandatory

• Expertise in the INGO security management mechanism

Competencies

• Excellent written and oral communications skills

• Ability to set priorities and organize your own work

• Strategical thinking

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to plan and organise in a stressful environment, with a high level of adaptability

• Strong capacity to work under pressure

• Experience in coaching and training of staff

Languages

• Proficient level in English and French, both spoken and written is mandatory
• Other MSF commonly used languages such as Arabic or Portuguese is an asset

Other 

• An important flexibility is required to answer the request for support that can happen during working days, nights or weekends

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: September 2025

• Location: Brussels (Belgium)

• Mobility: 20% of travel per year for training, workshops or project visits

• Contract type: Open-ended contract with a 4-year mandate (extendable for max. 2 more years) – full-time – Homeworking possible

• Salary: according to MSF-OCB HQ grid
• Meal vouchers – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 28th of July 2025

How to apply?

➢ Submit your application via the ‘Apply here‘ button
➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position
➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload (preferably in PDF format)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Position only open to candidates with previous MSF experience. No MSF experience? Check out our other job offers: Our job offers | Doctors Without Borders

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data. For more information, consult our privacy notice to job applicants.