How to apply for Safeguarding and Ethical Leadership Coordinator for MSF Boards and Associations

About Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid based only on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF International is the legal entity binding 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices together, providing coordination and support across the movement. Working here means contributing to a global structure that responds to armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters.

About the role

The Safeguarding and Ethical Leadership Coordinator supports MSF Boards and Associations in embedding safeguarding and ethical leadership across the movement. This is a permanent, 100% remote role starting 04 January 2027, with applications due 30 October 2026. The contract will be issued by the MSF office in your country of residence, or you may need to relocate if no MSF office exists there.

A typical day

A typical day may involve advising MSF boards or associations on safeguarding and ethical leadership matters, coordinating with colleagues across different MSF offices, and preparing guidance or reports for governance bodies. Because the role is remote and spans 24 sections and 28 associations, much of the work happens through virtual meetings and written communication. Ask the hiring team how they divide time between reactive case support and proactive policy work.

Who Médecins Sans Frontières is looking for

• Experience working with governance bodies, boards, or associations, ideally in a federated or international structure.
• Direct knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, ethical leadership, or misconduct prevention in humanitarian or nonprofit settings.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple MSF entities and navigate complex, decentralised decision-making.
• Commitment to contributing to a safe, respectful, equitable and diverse environment, as stated in the safeguarding requirements.
• Willingness to work remotely and, if needed, relocate to a country where an MSF office can issue a contract.

Tips for this application

• Confirm which MSF office can issue a contract in your country of residence before applying, because the role is tied to that office.
• Address the safeguarding requirements explicitly in your application, since the job description lists them as a core commitment.
• Reference MSF's structure of 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices to show you understand the governance complexity.
• Note the 30 October 2026 deadline and the 04 January 2027 start date in your planning, as these are fixed.
• State your country of residence clearly so MSF can assess contract eligibility and any relocation requirement.

What to cover in your cover letter

Explain how you have worked with boards or associations and why that matters for this role. Describe your hands-on experience with safeguarding or ethical leadership frameworks. Show you understand MSF's federated structure of sections, associations and branch offices. Confirm your country of residence and your ability to meet the contract or relocation condition.

Research before applying

• Read about MSF International's role as the legal entity binding sections, associations and branch offices.
• Study MSF's associative model, including what the 28 associations do and how they differ from the 24 sections.
• Review MSF's public safeguarding policies and any published ethical leadership statements.
• Check which MSF office operates in your country of residence and whether it can issue a contract.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you coordinate safeguarding and ethical leadership across 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices?
• Describe a time you advised a board or governance body on an ethical or safeguarding issue.
• What is your understanding of MSF's associative model and how associations relate to sections?
• How would you handle a safeguarding concern raised within a national association?
• Which MSF office can issue your contract, and are you prepared to relocate if no office exists in your country?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring the contract location rule and assuming you can work from any country without checking for an MSF office.
• Treating safeguarding as a generic HR topic instead of a governance and ethical leadership issue tied to boards and associations.
• Showing no awareness of MSF's federated structure, which is central to how this role operates.