Task and Responsibilities
• Ensuring the implementation, monitoring, maintenance and correct functioning of geographical information systems
• Liaising directly with sector responsible to identify GIS needs and developing appropriate GIS products.
• Identify support opportunities and prioritise requests for GIS products and services in close collaboration with the supported sector responsible.
• Managing the development, quality control and reproduction of products in appropriate formats for users. Using and advocating for GIS standards.
• Ensuring the quality and sharing of the geographic data produced in their area of work to best contribute to the global MSF GIS Master Data Base.
• Support line manager in acquiring necessary authorization for data creation and acquisition at country level and/or local level when needed.
• Maintaining and expanding project GIS database for use in GIS and to create analytical products.
• Carrying out assessment and feasibility studies in their area of responsibility, to provide line managers with alternatives and possible solutions to challenges concerning GIS.
• Promoting GIS on Offer and providing training to staff with simple GIS tools.
• Participating in monthly reports according to guidelines.
• Performing delegated tasks as defined in their job description and according to the line manager.
MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities
Afghanistan operations are run through an intersectional- multi-OD support structure. The country coordination team is based in Kabul and maintains a support base in Tajikistan-Dushambe. The Afghan Technical Unit (ATU), established in 2015, provides technical expertise for country wide operations and medical activities in areas such as IT, Telecom, Biomed, Motorized Fleet, Energy/HVAC/Cold Chain, Construction & Shelter, Watsan, and from 2026- Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Operational Presence in Afghanistan:
- OCA: Helmand (Lashkargah) & Kandahar (TB)
- OCB: Khost Maternal Health, Kunduz Trauma Center, Kunar Emergency
- OCBA: Balkh
- OCP: Bamyan & Herat
· Provide GIS support, delivering harmonized mapping and geospatial analysis that respond to medical, operational, logistical, security, and strategic needs across the country.
· Produce, standardize, and maintain core GIS products (contextual, operational, health-related, thematic, and contingency maps), integrating key layers such as security incidents, armed presence, zones of insecurity, administrative and community boundaries, population and demographic data, places of interest, and key actors to support decision-making.
· Develop and maintain health operational maps and GIS analysis, ensuring accurate representation of health facilities, catchment areas, referral networks, itineraries, travel-time analysis, and epidemiological data (patient origins, disease trends, vaccination coverage) to support planning, early warning, emergency preparedness, and health and climate-related risk analysis (e.g., HACE).
· Produce and maintain maps identifying movement, access, and connectivity constraints, including transportation networks, evacuation routes, mobility-challenged areas, and communication infrastructure (mobile networks, satellite gaps, radio coverage).
· Contribute to the development, implementation, maintenance, and updating of GeoApps, ensuring accurate visualization of MSF activities and core operational layers (health facilities, referral networks, population data, itineraries, stakeholders), including intersectional and thematic GeoApps (e.g., combined OC GeoApp, Security GeoApp).
· Strengthen country-level planning and emergency preparedness, including maintaining up-to-date contingency maps and delivering rapid GIS products during emergencies to ensure shared situational awareness across all Operational Centers and external stakeholders.
· Establish, manage, and maintain a centralized intersectional GIS repository, ensuring secure storage, regular backups, accessibility for all MSF sections, data harmonization, consistent symbology, standardized data structures, and compliance with intersectional GIS protocols and data governance standards.
· Organize and maintain the Mission Geodatabase. Filling and storing geodata following GIS Centre guidelines.
· Act as the GIS point of contact for coordination and data harmonization, working closely with medical, operations, logistics, supply, and security teams across all sections, and liaising with HQ GIS Advisors and external partners to secure validated datasets.
· Build GIS capacity and system sustainability across the country by delivering training and technical support (GIS tools, GPS/mobile data collection such as OSMAND, map reading), promoting safe and standardized GIS practices, maintaining GIS tools and workflows, and contributing to joint mapping products and the long-term GIS strategy for the country.
Minimum Requirements and Competencies
Education - University diploma in Geography, Geomatics, GIS or other University diploma including a strong GIS
component, or relevant experience Essential
Experience - Previous experience in using Geographic Information Systems for a minimum of 2 years Essential
- Experience in managing data collection, entry and maintenance Essential
- Previous experience with MSF or other NGOs Desirable
Languages - English Essential
- Dari/Pashto Desirable
Knowledge - GIS Software Mandatory
- Mobile Data Collection App Desirable
- Demonstrable technical skills and understanding Essential
Competencies - Geographic Information System L3
- Results and Quality Orientation L2
- Teamwork and Cooperation L2
- Behavioural Flexibility L2
- Commitment to MSF Principles L2
- Stress Management L3
How to apply
- Follow the below link OR scan the QR code to access the online job application survey. Candidates must fill in the survey in order to be considered for shortlisting: https://forms.office.com/e/C5bSGYbu6m
- After completing the survey, send the following documents to email: MSF-Afghanistan-Recruitment@msf.org
1. CV and motivation letter
2. Relevant diplomas/certificates
3. ID card both sides (this will be used for visitor authorisation pass)
The email address given in this online survey must be the same as the one used to send your supporting documents.
The interested candidates must answer the online survey and submit their documents before January 14th, 2026 at 5PM.
**Only applications completing the online survey and sending supporting documents by email will be treated**
The reference GIS SPECIALIST must be stated in the email to be valid. If you do not clearly state the position for which you are applying & attach the required diploma & other supporting documents, your application may not be considered.
Only candidates who meet the essential criteria will be shortlisted and contacted.
MSF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. All applications are free for all candidates and no one should require any payment or compensation during the recruitment process. May the candidate be asked for any fee, he/she must report to MSF Administration through the recruitment contact.
If you are selected to be part of the reserve pool, it means that MSF has validated you to be called in to work on a temporary basis, as needed. It does not guarantee that you will be offered a contract or a permanent position, even if such a position becomes available. A new recruitment can be done according to the current need.
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 response to abuse, maltreatment, and neglect of any kind. We are committed to safeguarding, protection and fulfilling our duty of care to our patients and the individuals and communities we serve, people working in the organisation, and all those MSF interacts with.
All staffs are required to share this commitment through signing and complying with our Behavioural Commitments and all relevant safeguarding policies.
Furthermore, all offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory reference checks.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Doctors Without Borders) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters to populations in danger in more than 70 countries.