Background

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 71 countries worldwide, 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 Nederland in Italy coordinates the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance operating with the Oyvon ship.

Scope and objectives of the position

Performing the day-to-day implementation of supply procedures and ensuring efficient administrative processes for one or more areas of the supply programs (Order Processing, Transport and Customs, Procurement, etc.) at coordination or project level according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the optimal running of the mission.

Main responsibilities

  • Performing the day-to-day activities ensuring an efficient running of the administration processes of the supply activities following the supply procedures according to MSF standards and protocols. The activities can include one or more of the following areas:
    • Order Processing: Performing the day-to-day order processing activities in a particular supply office (coordination or project level)
    • Purchasing: Performing the day to day purchasing activities in a particular supply office (coordination or project level)
    • Transport and Customs: Performing the day-to-day procedures and administrative processes for the clearance and transportation of goods in a particular supply office (coordination or project level) ensuring an efficient shipment of goods
  • Performing and coordinating administrative procedures related to his/her supply activities, verifying the compliance to MSF procedures, standards and protocols
  • Ensuring that all necessary tools and management procedures are followed to avoid stock ruptures, losses and excess stocks in the mission
  • Performing delegated tasks according to his / her activities and as specified in his/her job description

Specific Accountabilities

This position is based in Licata, Sicily, home port of Oyvon, MSF OCA SAR (Search and Rescue) boat.  

  • Contribute for the timely order process for the project needs under the supervision of Project Supply Chain Manager. Capacity to learn the order processing mechanisms of MSF system is essential for the role; a standard level of computer literacy and understanding of Excel is required. 
  • Ensure that the correct Supply Administrative Documentation is produced, collected and well organized before submission for authorization process, in compliance with MSF supply chain standards, policies and protocols (Internal Request, Quotations, Bid-Analysis, Purchase Orders, Reception of Goods, Invoice)
  • Become familiar with the existing local market for medical, logistics and maritime specifics items in the mission and assist the supervisor in the identification and validation of suppliers, contribute to the evaluation and to maintain/update the suppliers database accordingly. 
  • Take part in market assessments of medical, logistics, SAR (Search and Rescue) and maritime engineering goods, as well as strictly Supply related services (shipments of goods, customs clearance, handling goods and warehousing service) 
  • Upon request from and under supervision of Project Supply Chain Manager, receive shipment to warehouses and complete physical reception, process incoming shipment and cross-checked issues detected during physical reception to promptly inform the supervision if any claim needs to be raised. 
  • Under supervision of Project Supply Chain Manager, be accountable that all stocks onboard and on shore are organized, respecting the layout and control/safety policies, including monitor of temperature and humidity control, vector control, and promptly report any issue to the supervisor.
  • Under the supervision of Project Supply Chain Manager, be accountable for conducting monthly spot and planned inventories, participate to monthly Supply reporting system, updating the stock cards and record in/out movements using the organizational tools  (UniField and Excel based tools). 
  • Due to the fact that the team on shore in Sicily is small and during Port Calls it’s all hands-on deck to assure a fast turnaround, a high degree of flexibility is expected to support other departments.  
  • As the majority of procurement is done through Sicilian preferred local suppliers for medical, engineering, nautical and logistics goods, cultural understanding, communication and relationship building with them as a local supplier is essential. 
  • Supplies for the ship are often maritime specific, so an understanding of maritime equipment (Maritime engineering, RHIB spare parts and SAR team equipment) is desirable for the role.  
  • Although this is a shore-based position, there might be frequently the need both to go on board when the ship is in Port, and to join the team onboard during search and rescue rotations at sea.
  • This position includes a huge variation in terms of workload throughout the month. The workload is concentrated while the ship is in Port, and is lighter in between Port Calls. The candidate must be able to manage very stressful days during the Port Calls and downtime in between. One rotation can last between 3 to 5 days, while a Port Call can last between 2 to 10 days, and is very unpredictable. 

Profile and qualifications

Education
  • Essential secondary education  
  • Desirable technical diploma in supply chain or commerce related studies

Experience
  • Desirable at least 2 years’ experience in supply chain related jobs and/or in logistics activities related jobs  
  • Desirable proven understanding of MSF Field Logistics
  • Experience with MSF or other international NGOs in developing countries or/and in an international environment is an advantage. 

Languages
  • Required: Italian mother tongue
  • Required: Fluent Work English level 

Knowledge
  • Essential computer literacy (Office package) 
  • Understanding and knowledge of MSF Field ERP System (UniField) is an added value
  • Required driving license B and ability to drive manual vehicles (automatic vehicles are not available in the mission)

Competencies
  • Results and Quality Orientation
  • Behavioural Flexibility
  • Teamwork and Cooperation
  • Commitment to MSF principles
  • Service Orientation
  • Stress Management

Conditions

Contract: Fixed term contract (12 months), full-time. Level 3 of Italian CCNL of Commerce. 

Candidates should hold a work permit to work in Italy.

Gross Annual Salary: Between 31.640 Euros and 37.968 Euros, depending on the MSF experience of the selected candidate.  

Duty station: Licata (Sicily)

Starting Date: 04 January 2027

Application procedure:

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

Subject: Supply Activity Officer_Your Surname 

Including the following: 

  • CV (in English)

  • motivation letter (in English) 

  • Availability 

  • 2 contacts for references

The application deadline is 22nd November 2026 - 8pm Rome time

MSF reserves the right to close the recruitment process early once the ideal candidate has been identified. 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.