POSITION TITLE: CANCER INITIATIVE COORDINATOR SUPPORT– LAE

CONTEXT:

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) is a private, non-profit international humanitarian organization, founded in 1971 and working in 70 countries around the world. MSF provides medical assistance to populations in crisis, regardless of race, religion, belief, or political affiliation. In PNG, MSF has been working since 2007 in Lae, Tari, Bougainville, Gulf Province, and NCD Province. MSF is now working to support the Department of Health to improve access to care for patients in Lae, Jiwaka, and Highlands.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To support the Cancer Initiative Coordinator (CIC) in the coordination, analysis, and management of the Morobe Cancer Initiative's institutional relationships at provincial and national level. The position sustains continuous observation of the institutional environment across ANGAU, MoPHA, NDoH, and partner organizations, produces structured analysis to inform strategic and operational decisions, and supports the CIC in the day-to-day design and delivery of project activities with the Technical Working Group, Sub-Working Groups, and counterpart institutions, according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the smooth running of the project.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

About the Morobe Cancer Initiative

The Morobe Cancer Initiative is a partnership between Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Morobe Provincial Health Authority, and Papua New Guinea's National Department of Health. Based at ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae, the initiative supports the development of cancer care services across Morobe Province through the full continuum of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, pediatric oncology, and data. The initiative is governed by a Technical Working Group of Papua New Guinean clinicians and health authority representatives, organized into seven Sub-Working Groups. MSF supports the initiative through strategic coordination across all pillars and direct implementation of the palliative care component.

About the Role

The Cancer Initiative Coordinator Support works alongside the Cancer Initiative Coordinator (CIC) to sustain the institutional, relational, and analytical foundations of the initiative. The role combines ongoing observation and analysis of the institutional environment across ANGAU, MoPHA, and NDoH with operational support to the CIC in the day-to-day coordination of project activities. The position is based in Lae with periodic travel to Port Moresby. It is a national staff position for a duration of 6 months.

Accountabilities

1. Institutional Mapping and Analysis

• Produce and maintain a living institutional map of counterpart actors, alliances, and decision pathways across ANGAU, MoPHA, and NDoH. Review quarterly with the Cancer Initiative Coordinator (CIC).
• Maintain a standing institutional analysis document covering formal and informal dynamics, motivational and incentive structures, and patterns of engagement, including the distinction between genuine institutional commitment and performative compliance. Update quarterly.
• Produce biweekly written context updates for the CIC, covering shifts in key actors, meetings observed, and emerging institutional signals.

2. Counterpart Relations and Coordination

• Maintain field contacts and the project's counterpart relations database. Update after each significant interaction.
• Prepare background materials and briefings in advance of TWG meetings, partner visits, and national-level missions.
• Draft correspondence with counterparts and organize advocacy appointments at the request of the CIC.
• Support the CIC in the ongoing design and implementation of MCI activities with the TWG, Sub-Working Groups, and counterpart institutions. Co-organize and co-facilitate workshops, strategic planning sessions, and partner engagement events as required.
• Perform assigned additional responsibilities or tasks as required by the Project Coordinator

3. Meetings and Observation

• Attend TWG Executive Committee, General Assembly, Sub-Working Group, MCI project, and key partner and counterpart meetings, in observer mode, as CIC team members, or as CIC representative when delegated.
• Document observations and submit summary notes to the CIC after each meeting attended.

4. Communication, Translation, and Knowledge Continuity

• Translate and interpret between English, Tok Pisin, and where required Hiri Motu, for project documents and meetings as required.
• Prepare and deliver a contextual briefing to each incoming MSF staff member within two weeks of arrival, covering counterpart dynamics, communication norms, and the current institutional environment.
• Produce an end of mission report on the status of MCI institutional relationships at provincial and national level.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS:

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Fixed-term Contract
• Based in Morobe
• Candidates must be flexible with working hours and location

APPLICATION PROCESS

The applicants have to send their cover letter with an updated CV and a copy of any other relevant documents (diploma/degree/secondary school and training certificates, previous work certificates/recommendations) to:

Please clearly indicate in your application the position title and your phone number. No document will be returned. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please note that MSFF does not provide transportation or accommodation for the written tests and interviews. Written tests and interviews will be held in Morobe since recruitment for this position is for Morobe.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages diversity, equity and Inclusion. Females and persons who are differently abled are encouraged to apply.

MSF doesn’t charge any application/recruitment fee. Nobody has the right to ask you for money, services, sexual favors or gifts in exchange for job. If you are victim or witness of similar situations, you may send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected], and we will come back to you.

MSF is focused on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work with us. To ensure we meet these standards, MSF has a “zero-tolerance” to any kind of abuse, exploitation, harassment and inappropriate behaviours.

MSF is committed to safeguarding, protection and fulfilling duty of care to patients, all people and communities we serve, and our staff. All staffs are required to share this commitment through signing and complying with our Behavioural Commitments and all relevant safeguarding policies.

Furthermore, receiving MSF job offers will be subject to satisfactory professional reference checks and clean criminal clearance.

DEADLINE: Complete applications must be received by 5:00 pm on 3^rd September 2026