Operation Logistics Referent (RLO) – Polyvalent – Switzerland 6 views

Job Offer
(strictly no recruitment agencies)

Join MSF OCG as an Operation Logistics Referent (RLO) – Polyvalent!

We are looking for passionate candidates ready to contribute to our humanitarian mission.

Below, you will find the job details and the qualifications we are looking for.

Inclusivity and Diversity at MSF

Do your qualifications and experience not exactly match all requirements of the job?

At MSF OCG, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification.

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.

Context & mission

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).

The MSF movement is built around 5 operational centers supported by 24 sections and offices worldwide. MSF Operational Center Geneva (MSF OCG) is one of these centers.

The RLO is a logistics referent detached to operations to assist an operational cell in all its missions support activities. He/she primarily has a technical reference role, but his experience and understanding of operations makes him or her an important member of the cell involved in the management of operations, especially in the monitoring of mission security management and applied security aspects.

The RLO Polyvalent is part of the Log Ops Team, and he/she is a support of the current RLO team.

The RLO is hierarchically under head of operational logistics unit (RSLO) and under the management of Cell Program Manager (RP) when he (she) is working for a cell. He /she is not dedicated to a single cell but will come to provide a support according to peak activities, surge of needs or replacement of the regular cell RLO.

The RLO Polyvalent within the Log Ops team has 3 main scopes of responsibilities:

• As a polyvalent RLO, he (she) provides support to the emergency cell RLO during intensive activity phases (surge) or when replacement is needed (field mission, rest period, training, etc.)
• He (she) is providing support to a regular cell according to peaks of activity which require reinforced support from operational logistics.
• Within the RLO Team, he (she) brings his (her) skills and expertise during the development of activities capitalization work, practical tools, specific training content, protocols and procedures drafting, etc. … he (she) will then have a so-called Back Office activity.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• As a member of the LogOPS unit, he/she provides support to an operational Cell and therefore participates in the objectives and operational strategy by guaranteeing technical and logistical feasibility.
• He/she works in collaboration with the supply referent in Cell to anticipate and resolve issues related to the mission supply chains.
• He/she supervises technical and logistical activities and is responsible for the application of logistics fundamentals and logistics field tools.
• He/she anticipates the logistical and technical problems that missions may face and undertakes to resolve them.
• He/she promotes and facilitates the implementation of technical activities aimed at improving the impact of medical programs (Wash, Food and non-food distribution, hospital management, construction, etc.)
• He/she validates the technical aspects of the risk reduction policy. He/she is the guarantor of the availability, implementation, and management of all the necessary means, technics and logistics and associated human resources.
• He/she ensures the application of non-medical technical policies and quality standards, availability and reliability of items and systems.
• In support of the RP and ARP, He/she contributes to the analysis, monitoring and implementation of security and risk reduction measures.
• He/she ensures that the applied safety and security measures are implemented and respected.
• In collaboration with the ARP and RP, he/she organizes the monitoring and updates of mission security protocols, procedures, and manuals, and contributes to their development.
• He/she participates to the definition of EPREP logistics strategies in line with operational objectives.
• He/she is actively involved in the development of budgets and action plans.

Specific Responsibilities:

• He /she will be requested in case of:
  • Emergencies managed by the cell
  • Exploratory mission requiring special follow-up.
  • Vertical activities generating a significant workload (vaccination campaign, food distribution, wash activity, shelters, etc.)
  • Formalization and review of emergency preparedness plans (EPREP). This support is part of a collaboration between the RP/RMP and the Emergency unit.
• He /she guarantees a continuity of support to all cells. He/she the first-line backup of the RLO, of which it can take over – by delegation – all the responsibilities during absence, or only part of it.
• He /she is focal point concerning logistics practices within the emergency cell; contribute to closure intervention capitalization, E-cell logistics focal point for systems and tools, process and guidelines development, etc.
• He /she works on specific back-Office files, and he/she is the focal point for review of general logistics training content.
• The RLO may be required to go on mission, at the request of a cell, with precise terms of reference. These missions may be of the following types:
  • Field visit
  • Exploratory mission
  • Opening of projects
  • Logistical reinforcements during an emergency period
  • Logistics evaluation
  • Gap filling
• The RLO intervenes on logistical (or transversal) training; as facilitators or as direct responders (cf. Ebola training, emergency training, LoT, WTT, etc.)

Your profile

Education

• High school studies at minimum. A technical diploma is an advantage.
• Experience in technical project management and team management

Experience

• Successful Logistics Coordinator missions (LogCo), including several emergency missions.
• Minimum 3 years of mission with MSF in logistics positions of management / coordination.
• Experience as head of mission or field coordinator is highly recommended.
• At least one successful year within the emergency pool.
• Excellent knowledge of the response mechanisms to epidemics; displacement of populations and surgical and traumatic activities.
• Mastery of MSF OCG tools.
• Good knowledge of MSF Logistics Supply Centers.
• Mastery of logistics fundamentals.

Languages

• Proficient English speaking and be able to communicate in French, both oral and writing.

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Good analysis capacity of emergency situations and force of proposal of logistics strategies.
• A good understanding of the political mechanisms of conflict and emergency situations.
• Very good communication skills.
• The ability to plan and implement appropriate and comprehensive logistics support.
• Experience required in team coaching.
• Experience in managing difficult security situations.

Terms of employment

• Full-time position 100% (40h/week)
• Open-ended contract
• Working place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Ideal start date: 4th May 2026
• Gross annual salary (for 100%): from CHF 102’180.- to CHF 116’484.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)
• Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
• Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member.
• Relocation package if moving from a different country to Switzerland.