Talents4Good is recruiting on behalf of
Médecins Sans Frontières / Ärzte ohne Grenzen, Deutsche Sektion e.V.
General Director, Germany (f/d/m)
Starting February 15, 2027, full-time, based at the Berlin head office
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a private, international humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical aid to people in crisis and conflict zones. It supports people affected by wars and conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics, and exclusion from healthcare, and operates in more than 70 countries worldwide.
The organization acts neutrally, impartially, and independently, providing aid solely on the basis of medical need—regardless of origin, religion, or political beliefs—to ensure that all people have access to urgently needed healthcare.
Its staff is committed to high professional and ethical standards and maintains independence from political, economic, or religious interests.
For a six-year term, we are seeking a General Director who will be responsible for Médecins Sans Frontières Germany / Ärzte ohne Grenzen e.V. both in Germany and internationally. We are looking for an executive who can embody and compellingly represent MSF's values and effectively lead and position the organization in a complex humanitarian environment.
Your Responsibilities
As General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Germany, you will have overall strategic, operational, and financial responsibility for the German section and will work closely with the broader international MSF network. More specifically:
- You will lead the organization in Germany, which has grown significantly in recent years and now employs more than 450 people. In this role, you will balance organizational growth and development, manage financial performance and the budget, and ensure the responsible use of donations for our global operations.
- You will lead the management team and promote cross-departmental collaboration and accountability across the organization.
- You will champion MSF Germany’s EDI Vision and Commitment, ensuring that the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism are embedded in organizational strategy, structures, culture, and day-to-day operations.
- You will represent MSF in engagements with policymakers, the public, and like-minded organizations. You will take a clear stance on humanitarian issues, advocate for our causes in sociopolitical debates, and uphold our values of independence, impartiality, neutrality, and humanity.
- You will be responsible for crisis management and for coordinating communications in crisis situations in consultation with international units, while also being accountable for the staff deployed.
- You will strengthen the link between the Berlin office and activities in project countries, ensuring a close connection to our humanitarian operations.
- You will report directly to and be accountable to the Board of MSF Germany and, through the Board, to the Association of MSF Germany. This includes fostering a trusting relationship with the MSF Germany Board to strengthen organizational resilience during challenging times for humanitarian aid.
- You will play an active role within MSF’s broader international network and governing bodies, contributing to decisions, strategy, governance, and the transformation of the international movement.
Your Profile
The following professional qualifications and personal qualities are important to us:
- You identify with MSF’s values and principles, embody them, and are distinguished by a clearly positioned, visionary personality.
- You hold a university degree or other professional qualification combined with relevant work experience, enabling you to succeed in this role.
- You have long-standing management and leadership experience, ideally in comparable complex international organizational and governance structures.
- MSF provides medical and humanitarian aid worldwide. Preferably, you bring such experience to the role and are familiar with the project countries’ realities.
- Your leadership style is characterized by the principles of feminist leadership, such as equity, shared power, transparency, accountability, self-care/care for others, and social justice.
- You have experience dealing with the media, communicating on controversial issues, and positioning organizations publicly.
- Your working space is the Berlin office. You are also required to undertake regular international travel.
- Your working space is the Berlin office. You are also required to undertake regular international travel.
- English and German language skills are required to communicate effortlessly, fluently, and precisely at a professional level, with a language proficiency of at least C1.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to contribute to medical and humanitarian aid for people in crisis situations worldwide.
- A key role in shaping the future of MSF Germany and internationally over a six-year term.
- An annual compensation package between €85,700 and €108,500 (depending on qualifications), plus a 13th-month salary.
- 30 days of annual leave, plus paid time off on December 24 and December 31.
- Flexible working hours, recognizing that while the role requires a high level of time commitment, we support adaptability where possible.
- A range of professional development opportunities, including training programs and individual coaching.
- Additional benefits such as a Jobticket and an Urban Sports Club membership.
How to Apply
Please submit your application documents exclusively via the online application form to Talents4Good, the recruitment agency we have commissioned.
Your application documents should include a CV in English without a photo, a cover letter stating your motivation (max. 1 page), certificates, and two professional references (name, role, organization, and contact details).
The option to hold the position in tandem is part of our commitment to making leadership roles as accessible as possible, enabling people from different backgrounds to take on these leadership responsibilities. We welcome tandem applications based on a clear job-sharing proposal.
We evaluate incoming applications solely on the basis of professional qualifications and consider them regardless of age, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, or religion. Even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements listed, we still encourage you to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please feel free to contact Talents4Good at [email protected].
For more information about Médecins Sans Frontières / Ärzte ohne Grenzen e.V., please visit https://www.aerzte-ohne-grenzen.de.
