MSF Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma) Job 2026 in the Netherlands
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is inviting applications for the position of Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma) in the Netherlands. This is a full-time international humanitarian career opportunity for qualified pharmacy professionals with experience in pharmaceutical management, medicine quality assurance, public health and humanitarian operations.
The position is offered as a maternity leave cover, with an employment contract expected to run for approximately one year, until December 2027. The successful candidate will provide strategic and technical pharmaceutical expertise to support MSF humanitarian programmes around the world.
The position is preferably based in Amsterdam, although candidates from other MSF contracting sections may also be considered.
Applications are open to experienced pharmacy professionals, particularly those with previous MSF experience and a strong understanding of pharmaceutical supply systems, medicine safety and quality management.
Job Overview
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) |
| Position | Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma) |
| Location | Netherlands (preferably Amsterdam) |
| Job Reference | JR1444 |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Work Arrangement | On-site |
| Contract Type | Fixed-term |
| Contract Duration | Approximately one year |
| Contract End | December 2027 |
| Experience | Several years of relevant professional experience |
| Mandatory Experience | At least 2 years of MSF experience |
| Application Deadline | 15–16 November 2026 (see deadline clarification below) |
About Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation providing emergency medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and exclusion from healthcare.
As a non-profit and self-governed movement with more than 63,000 professionals, MSF operates in some of the world’s most challenging humanitarian environments.
Its work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality. The organisation provides assistance according to medical needs and advocates for people whose lives and access to healthcare are threatened by humanitarian crises.
MSF also promotes an inclusive working environment that values diversity and encourages applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and abilities.
About the Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma) Position
The Public Health Specialist Advisor will provide specialist pharmaceutical guidance to support the delivery of high-quality medical interventions across MSF’s global humanitarian operations.
Working closely with country programmes, field teams and headquarters colleagues, the successful candidate will help ensure the availability, quality and safe use of medicines and other medical products.
An important part of the position involves strengthening pharmaceutical management practices, supporting evidence-based decisions and translating technical pharmaceutical knowledge into practical solutions that improve patient care.
The role also contributes to improving pharmacy systems, developing guidelines and supporting the professional development of colleagues working in different humanitarian settings.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will undertake several technical and advisory responsibilities, including:
- Providing expert guidance on quality assurance and quality management of medicines and medical products.
- Advising country programmes on local pharmaceutical procurement.
- Supporting regional and intersectional procurement activities.
- Providing technical support for pharmaceutical cold chain management, including the handling of cold chain excursions.
- Supporting rational prescribing practices and antimicrobial stewardship.
- Contributing to pharmacovigilance activities and monitoring adverse drug reactions.
- Developing and improving pharmacy guidelines, protocols and technical tools.
- Providing technical advice and support to field and headquarters colleagues.
- Supporting staff through technical briefings, debriefings and knowledge sharing.
Additional responsibilities may include coordinating pharmaceutical quality alerts, product complaints and batch recalls, advising on good storage and distribution practices, and developing pharmacy training programmes.
The position may also involve field visits to assess pharmaceutical systems and support country programmes. Travel may account for up to 20% of the working time.
Qualifications and Experience
MSF is seeking an experienced pharmaceutical professional with the technical expertise and leadership abilities required to support international humanitarian health programmes.
Applicants should have:
Educational Qualifications
- A university degree in Pharmacy.
- Relevant professional registration where applicable.
Professional Experience
- Several years of professional experience in pharmacy, pharmaceutical management, public health, quality assurance or related fields.
- At least two years of MSF experience, which is mandatory.
- Experience in pharmaceutical quality assurance, medicine supply systems, local procurement and cold chain management.
- Knowledge of rational medicine use, antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacovigilance.
- Experience developing or implementing pharmaceutical policies, guidelines, protocols and training activities.
Additional Skills
Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into practical recommendations.
The successful applicant should also be comfortable advising diverse teams, working collaboratively across different programmes and providing technical support remotely and in the field.
Professional fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or other relevant languages will be an advantage.
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to MSF’s humanitarian principles and values.
Salary, Contract and Benefits
The position offers a full-time employment contract of approximately one year to cover a maternity leave, with the expected contract ending in December 2027.
MSF indicates that compensation and benefits will be aligned with the MSF entity offering the employment contract.
Although Amsterdam is the preferred location, candidates from other MSF contracting sections may also be considered.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official MSF recruitment portal.
Applicants are required to upload the following documents as one combined document:
- A motivation letter.
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Candidates should ensure that their application demonstrates their pharmacy qualifications, relevant professional experience and mandatory MSF experience.
Application deadline: The vacancy information displays 16 November 2026 in the job listing, while the application instructions specify Sunday, 15 November 2026. Applicants should confirm the final deadline on the official recruitment portal and apply before 15 November to avoid missing the opportunity.
Job Reference: JR1444
Final Thoughts
The Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma) position offers an opportunity for experienced pharmacists to contribute to international humanitarian healthcare delivery.
Through pharmaceutical quality assurance, medicine supply management, antimicrobial stewardship and technical capacity building, the successful candidate will help strengthen the quality and safety of medical interventions in humanitarian settings.
Pharmacy professionals with at least two years of MSF experience and a strong background in pharmaceutical management should consider this opportunity.
