Watchman at Medecins Sans Frontieres
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
A worldwide movement
MSF was founded in Paris, France in 1971. Its principles are described in the organisation’s founding charter. It is a non-profit, self-governed organisation.
Today, MSF is a worldwide movement of 24 associations, bound together as MSF International, based in Switzerland.
Thousands of health professionals, logistical and administrative staff – most of whom are hired locally – work on programmes in some 70 countries worldwide.
Humanitarian action
MSF’s work is based on humanitarian principles. We are committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
MSF operates independently. We conduct our own evaluations on the ground to determine people’s needs. More than 90 per cent of our overall funding comes from millions of private sources, not governments.
MSF is neutral. We do not take sides in armed conflicts, we provide care on the basis of need, and we push for independent access to victims of conflict as required under international humanitarian law.
Bearing witness and speaking out
MSF medical teams often witness violence and neglect in the course of their work, largely in regions that receive scant international attention.
At times, MSF may speak out publicly in an effort to bring a forgotten crisis to public attention, to alert the public to abuses occurring beyond the headlines, to criticise the inadequacies of the aid system, or to challenge the diversion of humanitarian aid for political interests.
Quality medical care
MSF rejects the idea that poor people deserve third-rate medical care and strives to provide high-quality care to patients. In 1999, when MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the organisation announced the money would go towards raising awareness of and fighting against neglected diseases.
Through the Access Campaign, and in partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, this work has helped lower the price of HIV/AIDS treatment and stimulated research and development for medicines to treat malaria and neglected diseases like sleeping sickness and kala azar.Main Purpose
Carrying out surveillance and guarding activities in MSF facilities, according to MSF protocols and security rules, in order to ensure the safety and security of all mission's personnel and premises.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Surveying the MSF premise's access and guides people to reception within authorized hours.
Contacts administration team for authorizing people access.
Watching MSF premises and property's perimeter fence through regular patrols.
Remaining on duty until other watchman comes to do a handover, never leaving the post unattended.
Organizing traffic of vehicles within the premises and directs them in and out.
Checking that the doors and windows are locked, and lights are off when people leave premises.
Checking that security lights are working properly and informing line manager of any possible problems.
Keeping area within MSF premises clean and tidy (ex. empty dustbins, sweep paths, etc.) and performs general maintenance activities of the garden (ex. cut grass, maintain flower beds, prune trees, if necessary, etc.).
Maintaining watchmen's torch and other lighting tools, returning used batteries, and keeping the necessary supply of spare batteries. Maintaining communication equipment (radio) in working conditions and providing battery availability.
Supervising diesel/petrol tank levels and providing spare can(s) of fuel.
Ensuring the correct functioning of generator and water pumps (starting, switching off, record sheet of operating hours and maintenance) as well as the correct use of extinguishers (being aware of their location.
Informing line manager of arrival of any materials before unloading and helping MSF staff carry heavy items, if necessary.
Minimum Required Skills and Qualifications
Education: Not required, desirable literacy
Experience: A minimum of one year experience as a Watchman, MSF or other INGO experience is desirable
Languages: Local language is essential, English is desirable
Knowledge: Results driven and quality service orientation.
Competencies:
Teamwork and Cooperation
Behavioral Flexibility
Commitment to MSF Principles
Stress Management.
