Background

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. Operating in over 71 countries, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make basic healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities.  MSF Netherlands in Italy coordinates the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance operating with own ship.

Scope and objectives of the position

The Information Systems Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating and ensuring the autonomous implementation, maintenance, follow-up and monitoring of all IT and Telecom equipment, tools and services, as well as ensuring onsite technical support and training of users and Logistic experts in the mission, in accordance with MSF standards, policies and protocols, in order to guarantee the efficient use of all IT and Telecom services and infrastructure. Providing an appropriate high-level technical support to his/her Logistics Coordinator.

Main responsibilities 

  • Monitoring, maintaining and following up on all Information Technology (IT) and Telecom equipment, tools and services in the mission, in accordance with MSF standards, policies, protocols and procedures, as well as actual and future needs.
  • Adapting and ensuring compliance of general IT and Telecom policies, guidelines, and documents in order to meet mission’s specific needs, as well as ensuring their implementation to enable the development of the mission in perfect working conditions upon validation from the Logistics Coordinator.
  • Supervising, implementing and improving data security protocols (data saving, firewall, user access right, backup, equipment and software security, etc.) to ensure data security, availability, and immediate operational recovery and continuity in case of emergency.
  • Providing technical support and presenting MSF standards, policies, protocols and procedures to all users. Providing advanced technical support to logistics experts dealing with IT and Telecom systems.
  • When needed, liaise with HQ Technical Referent(s) for 2nd line support, as well as with external providers, to ensure any incidents or problems that cannot be solved at the mission level are appropriately escalated. 
  • Providing educational support (briefing, training and support, etc.) to all users. Providing advanced educational support (briefing, training and support, etc.) to logistics experts dealing with IT and Telecom systems.

 

 

Specific Accountabilities

This position is based in Licata, the home port. The standard Accountabilities are applied to each of the SAR mission locations; Rome, Licata and onboard the SAR vessel. As such planned movements between these locations for onsite support is expected of the role.

 IT:  

  • Ensure the data security and adherence to the ICT policy framework is paramount in the use of all ICT equipment and systems in the mission. 
  • Lead in the analysis and stress testing of the ICT setup in order to propose adaptations and innovative ways to improve the ICT security and care of equipment.  
  • Ensure data management and data systems within the mission are maintained and staff/crew are adequately briefed and supported in their use. 

Vessel Telecom: 

  • Oversight of the onboard telecom and navigational equipment, ensuring crew are briefed on the equipment and that proper care and maintenance planning is in place. 
  • In coordination with the vessel Master, establish and perform a periodic maintenance schedule for the onboard equipment, coordinating with external service contractors where applicable. 
  • Offer innovative ways to develop the onboard setup with the objective of improving operational performance and security.  

 

Requirements

 

Education
  • Essential university or technical school diploma.
  • Certification in network or server administration would be an asset. 

Experience
  • Preferably 5 years of proven experience in IT or technical functions  

Languages
  • Preferably B1-B2 English. 

Knowledge
  • Expertise in latest version of Microsoft Operating System and business applications (Office365, Intune, etc) 
  • Understanding of Server Management (latest version of Microsoft Operating System, Active directory) and virtualization (Hyper-V) 
  • Good knowledge in Network Administration (LAN, VLAN, network policies and protocols) 
  • Good knowledge of computer’s hardware and maintenance process, IT security best practices and IT service management tools (ITSM) 
  • Understanding of radio telecommunication concept (HF, VHF, GSM, satellite)

 

Competencies
  • Results and Quality Orientation L2 
  • Teamwork and Cooperation L2 
  • Behavioural Flexibility L2 
  • Commitment to MSF Principles L2 
  • Stress Management L3 

 

Conditions

Contract: Fixed term contract (12 months), full-time. Level II of Italian CCNL Commercio Terziario Distribuzione e Servizi.

Candidates should hold a work permit to work in Italy.

Gross Annual Salary: euro 33.320 – 36.652 depending on MSF experience of the candidate

Location: based in Licata (Sicily)

Starting Date: Mid-March 2026

 

Application procedure: 

To apply for this role, please submit your application to sar-jobs@oca.msf.org 

Subject: ISS_Your Surname

Including the following:

  • CV (in English)
  • motivation letter (in English)
  • Availability
  • 2 contacts for references

The application deadline is 15th February 2026 

 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applicants not invited for interview within 4 weeks from the closure of the vacancy may consider their applications unsuccessful.

MSF-Netherlands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. We expect this same commitment from our staff.