About MSF and MSF Japan:

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.

MSF has around 52,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries and regions, in some of the most challenging places in the world. Our medical humanitarian projects are supported by teams in 42 countries around the world, including Japan established in 1992.

MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where the need is greatest and speaking out publicly when we witness acts of violence and unacceptable suffering, free from any political interference.

MSF Japan (MSFJ) supports field operations by increasing awareness of our work, building relationships and increasing engagement with our supporters, raising funds, advocating for changes on medical humanitarian issues, and recruiting staff for field operations.

Purpose of the position:

MSFJ is one of essential contributors amongst 25 sections and 27 associations to the global MSF movement, providing grants, skilled personnel, technical expertise and advocacy, committed to delivering independent medical-humanitarian aid to populations in crisis in over 70 countries. MSFJ has been in existence for over 30 years.

The General Director (GD) is appointed by and report to the President and the Board Members of MSFJ.

The GD is responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient, and ethical management of the organisation, with a staff of over 90. Working in close collaboration with senior managers the GD plans, develops and establishes policies and objectives and oversees their implementation, to support the MSF mission by recruiting and preparing field staff; raising funds; bearing witness and speaking out on the plight of populations at risk; and by providing input to MSF operational activities. Developing and managing relationships with other MSF entities is an important part of the role.

Contract:

Minimum 3 years (possible extension)

Requirement:

Based in Tokyo (Commutable to MSF Japan Office in Waseda) with occasional international travel (estimated travel 10-15%).

General Scope of Work

In close collaboration with directors and team leaders, the GD:

• Hold overall responsibility to ensure the effective, efficient, and ethical management of MSFJ, within all applicable laws and regulations and the MSF Charter and Principles.
• Propose multi-year strategic objectives, annual plans, budgets, policies for MSFJ, to the Board designed to support the execution of MSF's mission to provide medical humanitarian assistance worldwide and adjust them as necessary with the consent of the MSFJ Board.
• Designs approaches and execute activities, budgets and policy compliant guidelines to deliver the agreed strategic objectives including defining major financial investments. Ensuring that all activities and practices are compliant with MSF policies, statutes, rules and formal agreements.
• Assesses and monitor risks to the section and its strategic objectives and design, propose and execute mitigating approaches.
• Accountable for the design and implementation of all office rules and regulations
• Execute plans related to other entities in the MSF movement and participate in all relevant platforms.
• Reports to the Board on agreed basis on the progress of the delivery of strategic objectives, changes in risks and in the general MSF internal and external environment, significant changes in budget, to enable the Board to make informed decisions.

Please refer to the Job description for more detail:

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Experience Skills

• Commitment to the Charter and Principles of MSF
• Over 5 years' experience as a senior manager in an international organization with significant management responsibilities in projects, budget, risk/crisis and people.
• Experience in financial management of a sizeable organization
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including a strategic approach to managing a multi-national, multi-cultural humanitarian organization, part of an international body
• Ability to inspire and motivate teams, celebrate achievements, and build organizational morale
• Ability to adjust him/herself to the Japanese culture and customs
• In-depth knowledge of fundraising, communication, human resources, advocacy, and finance
• Ability to deal positively and effectively with media, the humanitarian community, NGO leaders, government, medical and academic organizations, activists, donors, corporate executives, and major foundations
• English language fluency (spoken & written)

Desirable Skills

• Experience in a senior management position in MSF
• Field humanitarian experience in a senior operational management role.
• Japanese language skills.
• Experience working closely with a non-executive board
• Experience in health programs and understanding of medical/health issues.

Education – Experience

• Higher degree in work-related area or equivalent combination of education and experience

Please refer to the Job description for more detail:

HOW TO APPLY

Please send all the following application documents to
MSFJ-Board- by January 10, 2026

【Mandatory】

1. CV, with your photo if possible (in English)
2. Motivation letter (in English)

【Optional】

1. 履歴書(できれば顔写真付き)(和文)
2. 職務経歴書(和文)
3. 志望動機書(和文)

※Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We will close the position as soon as the best candidate is selected.