Introduction
In humanitarian emergencies, safe and well-planned infrastructure saves lives. From Ebola treatment centres to hospitals, clinics, and staff facilities, construction plays a critical role in enabling medical teams to deliver urgent care. For 2026, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is seeking experienced Construction Managers to support its medical and humanitarian programmes in challenging field contexts.
This opportunity matters now as MSF continues to respond to epidemics, conflicts, and natural disasters across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and beyond. Construction Managers ensure that all building and rehabilitation activities meet MSF’s strict technical, safety, and quality standards, even under extreme time pressure and resource constraints.
This position offers hands-on responsibility, international field exposure, and the chance to directly support life-saving medical operations. Construction Managers work at the intersection of logistics, engineering, and humanitarian response—making this one of the most impactful technical roles within MSF missions.
This job post is written from the perspective of a third-party humanitarian job board curator. It provides a clear, structured overview of the Construction Manager role at MSF, including responsibilities, qualifications, benefits, and application guidance.
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Construction Manager at MSF 2026: Lead Life-Saving Humanitarian Construction Projects Worldwide
Background & Job Description
About MSF
Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, delivers emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. MSF operates in over 70 countries, guided by principles of medical ethics, neutrality, independence, and impartiality.
Construction and rehabilitation are essential to MSF’s work—supporting:
- Ebola and infectious disease treatment centres
- Hospitals and clinics
- Health posts and laboratories
- Warehouses, offices, and staff accommodation
Role Purpose & Impact
The Construction Manager ensures that all logistics activities related to construction and rehabilitation meet programme needs while complying with MSF protocols and local regulations. The role directly supports medical teams by delivering safe, functional, and timely infrastructure in demanding environments.
Construction Managers work closely with Project Coordinators and Logistics teams, often under emergency conditions, where speed, safety, and precision are critical.
Key Responsibilities
Construction Managers typically carry out the following duties:
- Planning & Coordination
- Plan, coordinate, and monitor construction and rehabilitation activities
- Participate in project design and development
- Ensure alignment with MSF protocols and programme priorities
- Technical Oversight
- Ensure construction complies with MSF standards and local building practices
- Monitor technical quality, timelines, and work progress
- Provide technical guidance and coaching to logistics staff
- Budget & Procurement Management
- Prepare construction budgets and cost estimates
- Coordinate purchase orders and material procurement
- Manage warehouse inventory related to construction materials
- Anticipate cash flow and process invoices
- Safety & Compliance
- Provide appropriate safety equipment
- Enforce compliance with construction safety standards
- Reduce risks to workers and surrounding communities
- Human Resources & Reporting
- Support recruitment, training, and supervision of construction staff
- Contribute to monthly reports and technical documentation
- Perform delegated tasks as outlined in the mission job description
Each responsibility ensures MSF facilities are safe, functional, and ready to support medical care.
Qualifications
Education & Certification
Essential
- University or technical school diploma
Desirable
- Studies in construction, civil engineering, or related technical fields
Experience & Skills
Essential
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience in construction
- Proven understanding of MSF field logistics
- Computer literacy
- Proficiency in at least one project language:
- English, French, Spanish, or Arabic
Desirable
- Knowledge of local languages in mission countries
- Experience working in humanitarian or low-resource settings
Why Apply for This Position
Working as a Construction Manager with MSF offers unique professional and personal rewards.
You will:
- Contribute directly to life-saving medical operations
- Gain international field experience in diverse humanitarian contexts
- Develop leadership skills under real-world pressure
- Work within a mission-driven, values-based organization
This role is ideal for construction professionals seeking meaningful impact beyond commercial projects, and who thrive in dynamic, challenging environments.
Application Tips & Insights
To strengthen your application:
- Highlight hands-on construction and rehabilitation experience
- Emphasize work in remote, emergency, or resource-limited settings
- Demonstrate ability to manage budgets, teams, and safety standards
- Clearly state language proficiency and availability for field deployment
Avoid focusing only on technical skills—MSF also values adaptability, teamwork, and cultural sensitivity.
Additional Information
- Position Title: Construction Manager
- Organization: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
- Contract Type: Field mission contract
- Work Arrangement: On-site (international field projects)
- Duration: Varies by mission and operational needs
- Compensation: Competitive humanitarian field salary with benefits
- Benefits May Include:
- Accommodation and travel
- Insurance coverage
- Living allowance
- Pre-deployment training
MSF is an equal opportunity employer and promotes diversity within its teams.
How to Apply
The application process generally involves:
- Submitting an online application through MSF’s official recruitment platform
- Uploading:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Copies of diplomas/certifications
- Participating in interviews and technical assessments if shortlisted
- Completing pre-deployment training upon selection
Early applications are encouraged due to operational urgency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a desk-based job?
No. This is a field-based role requiring on-site presence.
Is prior humanitarian experience mandatory?
It is highly desirable, but strong construction experience with adaptability can also be considered.
Are emergency deployments possible?
Yes. Construction Managers are often deployed during urgent responses.
Do I need engineering registration?
Not mandatory, but technical studies and experience are strong advantages.
Are international applicants eligible?
Yes. MSF recruits globally, subject to eligibility and availability.
Suggested Focus Keywords
MSF construction manager job 2026, humanitarian construction jobs, Doctors Without Borders logistics role, MSF field construction vacancy, NGO construction manager, emergency construction humanitarian work, MSF logistics careers
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