MSF Executive Officer/Assistant Job 2026: Apply in Johannesburg, South Africa
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is inviting applications for an Executive Officer/Assistant position in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. This opportunity is suited to experienced administrative professionals with strong organisational, communication and executive support skills who want to contribute to an international humanitarian organisation.
The successful candidate will provide high-level administrative and coordination support to the Executive Director and Leadership Team. Responsibilities include managing executive schedules, coordinating meetings and travel, preparing strategic documents, handling confidential information and ensuring that leadership decisions and commitments are followed through.
The position offers a monthly salary of R31,329.96, together with additional employment benefits. The successful applicant is expected to start as soon as possible.
Applications close on 5 November 2026.
MSF Executive Officer/Assistant Job 2026: Overview
- Job Title: Executive Officer/Assistant
- Organisation: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Southern Africa
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Job Type: Full-time position
- Monthly Salary: R31,329.96
- Additional Benefits: 13th cheque, pension allowance, medical aid, transport allowance and cellphone allowance
- Experience Required: Three to five years of relevant experience
- Start Date: As soon as possible
- Application Deadline: 5 November 2026
Candidates should review the official vacancy announcement for the complete requirements and application instructions.
About Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, disasters and exclusion from healthcare.
Operating in more than 70 countries, MSF brings together medical and non-medical professionals to deliver essential healthcare and speak out about the circumstances affecting the communities it serves.
MSF Southern Africa is part of the wider MSF movement and contributes to humanitarian work guided by medical need, independence and impartiality.
Joining MSF provides an opportunity to support an organisation whose work depends on effective coordination, responsible administration and strong institutional leadership.
About the Executive Officer/Assistant Role
The Executive Officer/Assistant will support the Executive Director and Leadership Team in managing institutional priorities and ensuring the effective functioning of the executive office.
This is a demanding coordination role that combines executive assistance with strategic planning support, stakeholder engagement, document management and administrative oversight.
The successful candidate will help align leadership schedules with organisational priorities, prepare briefing materials and ensure that decisions made during meetings are documented and implemented.
The position also requires effective communication between the Executive Director’s office, internal departments, governance structures and external stakeholders.
A high degree of discretion is essential because the role involves sensitive correspondence, confidential documents and executive-level information.
Key Responsibilities
The successful applicant will undertake a range of executive and administrative duties.
Executive and Strategic Support
The role involves managing the Executive Director’s calendar, coordinating competing priorities, preparing correspondence and presentations, arranging travel and ensuring that leadership commitments receive appropriate attention.
The successful candidate will also support strategic planning processes, including annual planning and review activities, and track key performance indicators and implementation milestones.
Meetings and Coordination
Responsibilities include organising leadership meetings, workshops, conferences, retreats and stakeholder engagements. The candidate will prepare agendas, briefing documents and meeting packs, record decisions and maintain action trackers to monitor outstanding commitments.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
The Executive Officer/Assistant will draft and review professional correspondence, coordinate official documents and facilitate information sharing between the executive office and relevant stakeholders.
Records and Confidentiality
The position requires maintaining organised filing systems, safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring that official documents are securely stored and accessible to authorised personnel.
Travel and Administrative Operations
The successful applicant will coordinate domestic, regional and international travel, including itineraries, accommodation, visas and related logistics. Additional duties include processing invoices, raising procurement requests and assisting with budget administration.
Requirements and Qualifications
MSF is seeking candidates with relevant training and experience in executive support, office administration or business administration.
Applicants should have a diploma or degree in Office Administration, Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant Studies, Secretarial Studies, Business Administration or a related field.
A qualification in Human Resource Management or Business Studies may be an advantage.
Candidates should have three to five years of relevant professional experience, including substantial experience supporting a senior executive or director-level office.
Other essential competencies include:
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Experience managing complex diaries and competing priorities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Professional drafting and document preparation abilities.
- Experience coordinating senior-level meetings and travel.
- The ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- Strong stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish or additional local languages is an advantage. Previous experience with MSF or another humanitarian organisation is also beneficial.
Salary and Employee Benefits
The advertised monthly salary is R31,329.96. The employment package includes a 13th cheque payable in November, an additional pension allowance of 10%, a 100% medical aid contribution, a transport allowance and a cellphone allowance.
These benefits form part of the advertised employment conditions and should be reviewed alongside the official vacancy information.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should prepare a current CV in English and submit their applications through the official MSF Southern Africa recruitment portal.
Applicants should highlight their executive support experience, organisational abilities, communication skills and experience managing confidential information and senior-level administrative processes.
Application deadline: 5 November 2026.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The successful candidate will be subject to MSF’s recruitment and safeguarding checks. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
This opportunity is ideal for experienced administrative professionals seeking to apply their skills in a humanitarian organisation while supporting senior leadership and contributing to effective institutional operations.
https://www.msf.org.za/executive-officerassistant
