Medical content editor HIV guidelines - Consultant

Location: can be remote, within +/-3 hours CET

Contract: Consultancy contract, one year, 120 days (with possible extension)

Starting date: asap

Deadline to apply: 22nd of October 2026

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

MSF develops medical-operational guidelines to support staff in providing quality health care and rapid emergency response in humanitarian contexts. MSF international guidelines are regularly updated and published in digital and print. They are based on extensive practical experience from MSF programs, recommendations published by the World Health Organization and other leading medical institutions, and evidence based on research and scientific literature. The International Guideline Publications (IGP) team was established to ensure the quality production of MSF guidelines. There are currently around 30 international guidelines in the MSF guidelines library, accessible at medicalguidelines.msf.org, some produced in multiple languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic) and a selection with open access to the public.

This consultancy is focused on the edition of the revision of MSF’s HIV guidelines, with a maximum of two guidelines being edited at the same time within this consultancy assignment.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

This consultancy is part of the International Guidelines Publication (IGP) team of MSF International. The consultant reports directly to the IGP Manager and works in close collaboration with guidelines team members, particularly the other medical editors in the team, as well as the HIV medical platform and other internal stakeholders.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

1. Editorial oversight and quality assurance: ensure MSF's international HIV guidelines are high-quality, scientifically sound, and consistent with existing guidelines. Confirm they comply with MSF International guideline standards and respond to the specific needs of health care professionals working in resources limited settings.

2. Quality improvement: Apply quality standards set when editing the guidelines.

3. Stakeholder collaboration and engagement: collaborate effectively with author-coordinator, IGP team members as well as internal experts throughout the editing process.

4. Validation and approval: verify all validation process steps to secure approvals from relevant experts and MSF’s Medical Directors.

5. Development process oversight: oversee the entire development process of the revisions from project planning, to content review to final publication.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Preparation and planning

• Participation in the selection of author coordinator(s) for new guidelines, upon request;

• In collaboration with the author coordinator(s), outline the division of tasks and responsibilities of the author coordinator(s), editor and other key collaborators as well as their functional links, following the standards set;

• Contribute to an arbitration processes where necessary;

• Brief and support author coordinators on editorial processes, authorship policy, and production workflows, supported by the IGP editors and manager;

• Share the Authorship policy with author coordinator(s), and key collaborators;  

• Provide input on and validate structure of the guideline, following the concept note approved by MSF’s Medical directors;   

• Provide input on and validate draft table of content, and timeline documents, based on the concept note approved by MSF’s Medical directors;   

• Ensure timely involvement of and input from MSF and external experts in the planning document.

2. Medical content editing

• Provide input throughout the writing process and review draft chapters for completeness, coherence, practical use, and adherence to guidelines;

• Ensure the content is evidence-based with accurate references, and the quality of it, and ensure coherence of data, figures, and protocols.

• Check if the text is complete, concise and coherent and in line with the agreed table of content and Guide for producing guidelines and suggest improvements for clarity and readability.

• Evaluate the presentation of content and ensure it aligns with the Guide for Producing Guidelines and Style guide and, in collaboration with the Designer, if it is suitable for both print and digital formats.

• Verify drug dosages, treatment protocols, and medical terminology for accuracy and consistency.

• Ensure a consistent tone, terminology, structure, and formatting throughout the document.

• Validate references, footnotes, glossary, and illustrations for accuracy and compliance.

• Ensure contributors are correctly listed according to the authorship policy.

3. Coordination

• Confirm that all assigned experts have contributed their input and participate in arbitration processes when necessary.

• Coordinate with the Translation coordinator for copy editing and process feedback effectively.

• Submit the final version to Medical Directors for review and support the presentation of the guideline.

• Assist in incorporating feedback from Medical Directors and provide a list of changes.

• Submit guidelines to the Designer for publication in both print and digital formats.

• Check the final text to be sent to the Translator coordinator and send it over;

• Liaise with the Translation coordinator and assist in resolving language or terminology issues.

4. Reporting

• Provide regular information on the progress of activities to IGP manager;

• Actively participate in monthly update meetings.

Required qualifications and experience

• Medical diploma as doctor

• Background or experience in HIV is considered an asset

• Minimum 5 years' proven experience in medical content editing, ideally within public health, HIV content, humanitarian, or clinical settings. Equivalent skills must be clearly demonstrated through relevant professional experience;

• Minimum of 5 years field experience with MSF or other international organizations working in similar contexts, ideally in HIV programmes;

• Familiarity with medical guideline development, systematic reviews, and evidence-based publishing.

Proficient in editing scientific and medical content, with demonstrated ability to apply consistent referencing, citation formatting, and adherence to rigorous scientific writing standards;

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and coordinating complex editorial processes.

Key skills and competencies

• Strong command of written English

• Advanced skills in medical writing, editing, and fact-checking.

• Ability to synthesize complex scientific information into clear, structured, and practical applicable content.

• Excellent organizational skills, project management an asset.

• Attention to detail and commitment to editorial quality.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Collaborative mindset and ability to support others.

• Ability to work and report independently

• IT literacy

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.