Intersectional Importation and Customs Specialist

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Fixed-term at 100%

Duration: 12 months

Starting date: 01st of January 2027

Deadline to apply: 22nd of November 2026

Compensation and Benefits: MSF practice is to offer the compensation and benefits package in line with the MSF entity offering the contract

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office, able to issue a contract, of their country of residence at the time of application. If no MSF office exists in their country of residence, the successful candidate will be expected to relocate to a country where an MSF office can issue a contract, provided the local legislation allows for that.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. The successful candidate will be expected to comply with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and standards of professional behaviour.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

MSF International

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 26 sections, 28 associations and 16 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

I. CONTEXT

The MSF Executive Supply Chain Committee (ESCC), in collaboration with the International Supply Chain Office, is leading the Supply Transformation Topics Program, with the goal of establishing a supply chain by 2031 that aligns with MSF's evolving challenges. This program focuses on five key supply chain pillars, including in particular, medical sourcing and mutualization at both country program and headquarters levels.

Within this roadmap, importation and customs best practices are critical enablers for both pillars. Efficient, compliant, and predictable importation processes directly affect medical availability, operational continuity, costs, and access.

To address increasing complexity, MSF has developed intersectional and cross-departmental approaches, notably the Country Support on Importation platform (CSI) and initiatives such as MICO (MSF Intersectional Customs Office in South Sudan). These approaches recognize importation and customs as access-related challenges, requiring coordinated supply, legal, regulatory, operational, and humanitarian representation responses.

As part of the International Office Supply team, the Intersectional Importations & Customs specialist will:

- Report hierarchically and functionally to the Intersectional Importations & Customs Advisor.
- Work closely with the Regulatory Affairs Logistics Advisor, the Regulatory Affairs Pharmacists, OC pharma teams, OC supply chain teams, International Legal Department experts, regional and country-based access and humanitarian affairs teams, regional hubs / supply centres and other stakeholders within the MSF movement involved in Importation & Customs activities at international, regional and national levels.
- Work closely with OC coordination teams, importation and customs managers/supervisors/officers at country program level.
- Be part of the CSI that provides multi-disciplinary / cross departmental intersectional support to Supply chain teams on importation requirements and constraints to ensure there is efficient & effective access to quality supplies to support MSF operations. Considering that Importation challenges are more than a technical supply issue, they are also an access issue that require multi layered approach of technical, legal, advocacy & political dimensions.

II. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The objective of the position is to provide MSF entities with strategic, technical, and hands-on support on importation and customs matters. This role contributes to improving the predictability, compliance, cost-efficiency, and operational continuity of MSF importation and customs processes.

III. ACCOUNTABILITIES

This role contributes to I&C strategy development as part of the Country Support on Importation (CSI) international platform whose objective is to provide multi-disciplinary / cross departmental intersectional visibility and support on importation requirements and constraints.

1. Contribute to the development and implementation of MSF's intersectional I&C strategy within the Country Support on Importation platform, whose objective is to provide multidisciplinary, cross-departmental, and intersectional visibility and support on importation requirements and constraints.

a. Contribute to the analysis of I&C as access-related constraints affecting MSF operations, integrating supply, legal, regulatory, operational, access, and representation dimensions.

b. Support the definition of strategic priorities and context-adapted solutions for a portfolio of MSF country programs, in line with national regulations, international requirements and MSF standards.

c. Contribute to the development, review, and adaptation of importation and customs policies, procedures, guidance, and practical tools across MSF.

2. Analyse existing I&C processes, identify gaps, bottlenecks and risks, and propose pragmatic, compliant and context-adapted improvement actions.

a. Support clarification of roles and responsibilities among stakeholders involved in I&C processes either at country level or with supply centers, including external providers.

b. Work with audit, risk management, and relevant technical team to support risk identification and mitigation related to customs clearance, regulatory compliance, documentation, exemptions, duties, taxes, demurrage, storage costs and other importation-related constraints.

c. Develop, review and promote practical tools, SOPs, templates, guidance notes, monitoring systems, dashboards and key performance indicators. Promote their standardization when relevant.

3. Provide structured remote support and targeted in-country support to MSF country programs, including regular field visits (minimum of 3–4 country program visits per year) and follow up on recommendations, action plans, and agreed priorities.

a. Conduct assessments and operational reviews of I&C processes at country program level and support country-level coordination teams to approach importation and customs constraints intersectionally and through a joint strategy.

b. Provide hands-on operational support in complex, high-risk, or emergency situations affecting importation and customs processes.

c. Support country teams in preparing engagement with national authorities and, when required, in coordination with MSF representatives, contribute to technical discussions or negotiations with customs and importation authorities at country level.

4. Ensuring alignment throughout the supply chain and coherence between concerned technical referents across Operational Centres.

a. Supporting the coordination of support, planning, priorities, and follow-up of recommendations with Operational Centre-based supply teams, cells, and back-office referents.

b. Shared analysis and decision-making on importation and customs constraints affecting MSF operations.

c. Working with legal, regulatory, access, humanitarian affairs, and operational teams to ensure that importation and customs issues are addressed through a coordinated approach.

5. Capitalize, document, and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, operational guidance and practical tools related to I&C constraints.

a. Develop and deliver formal trainings, briefings, on the job training and onboarding support for country-level teams.

b. Animate and contribute to Communities of Practice and knowledge sharing platforms related to importation, customs, transport constraints and access challenges.

c. Contribute to the maintenance of shared repositories, reference materials and informations systems, including tools such as the CSP GeoApp where relevant.

IV. AUTONOMY, COMPLEXITY

This implies combining remote support and regular visits to MSF country programs.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to work autonomously and in cross-functional teams.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and provide structured follow-up.
- Ability to contribute to collective decision-making without replacing country-level or Operational Centre decision-making responsibilities.
- Ability to operate in complex, cross-cultural, and intersectional environments.

Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including operational, legal, regulatory, supply, access, and external actors.

SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

The incumbent commits to contribute to a safe, supportive, inclusive, equitable, diverse, respectful, and healthy workplace, free from abuse and other misconduct. They will not engage in any form of abuse including those detailed in MSF Typologies of Abuse and when an employee suspects or observes abuse, they will report it (without investigating it) to protect others.

Requirements

Education

- Bachelor's degree in business and/or supply chain with ideally a specialization in customs administration, customs legislation, supply chain, international trade, transport, or equivalent professional experience or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.

Experience

- Minimum of 4 years' experience in importation, customs compliance, international freight, transport, or a related field.

- Minimum 2 years' MSF operational experience, preferably in supply, transport, customs, importation, or logistics roles.
- Experience in coaching, mentoring, and providing support to MSF country programs is a strong asset.
- Experience in complex, unstable, or highly regulated operational contexts is an asset.
- Experience working with audit, risk management, or compliance-related processes is an asset.

Knowledge

- Strong understanding of importation processes, customs procedures, documentation requirements, transport constraints, and regulatory requirements.

- Strong understanding of the interaction between customs, transport, supply chain, legal, regulatory, operational, and access constraints.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication, facilitation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Proficiency in standard office tools including Word, Excel and data Power point.
- Comfortable with basic data management, reporting tools, dashboards, and KPI monitoring.
- Ability to document processes, map importation flows, and structure operational information clearly.
- Comfortable working remotely with geographically dispersed teams.

Languages

- Professional working fluency in English is mandatory while French is a strong asset.
- Additional languages relevant to MSF operational contexts will be added value.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding and acceptance of these recruitment procedures.