Governance Manager

Company Description

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (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 relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference. MSF has around 67,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world.

Position

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF UK), strong governance enables us to support life‑saving medical work in some of the world’s most complex and fragile contexts. We are looking for an experienced Governance Manager to play a central role in supporting our Board, Executive, and Association at an exciting moment in MSF UK’s development. This is a rare opportunity to lead and strengthen governance in a values‑driven organisation that combines humanitarian action, medical ethics, and independent advocacy. As MSF UK delivers its new Strategic Direction 2026‑31, good governance has never been more important.

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, Mon‑Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London - hybrid, 2 days per week in London office (including Wednesdays)

Salary: £52,866.48 – £64,614.57 per annum. Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Governance & Association and Company Secretary, you will lead the day‑to‑day operation of MSF UK’s governance framework. You will ensure the Board of Trustees, its committees, and the Executive are supported with high‑quality, timely and well‑judged governance advice and services. This is a hands‑on leadership role, blending strategic oversight with practical delivery.

• Lead and develop a small, high‑performing governance team
• Oversee Board, committee and executive governance cycles and meetings
• Ensure strong regulatory and statutory compliance
• Support trustee recruitment, development and effective decision‑making
• Work closely with senior leaders across MSF UK, MSF Ireland, and the wider international MSF movement

You will also play a key role in strengthening governance culture, visibility and understanding across the organisation and among MSF UK’s 700+ association members.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a governance role.
• Practical knowledge of charity governance, trustee responsibilities and regulatory compliance, including the Charity Governance Code.
• Proven experience managing governance cycles, committees and statutory reporting.
• Excellent written communication skills, including drafting governance papers, policies, briefings and minutes.
• Excellent social and verbal communication skills; able to operate with integrity, diplomacy, tact, and empathy.
• Confidence working and negotiating with senior stakeholders, directors and trustees; ability to actively listen, understand and accommodate the views of others while still achieving governance objectives and asserting non‑negotiable points diplomatically.
• Ability to act autonomously, focusing on the long‑term challenge while delivering on the short‑term quick wins.
• Ethical judgement, critical thinking, and ability to analyse risk and issues to produce recommendations.
• Ability to think systemically and structure information and workflow.
• Experience supporting team development and direct reports to develop individually and as a team.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills including the ability to remain focused when managing competing and rapidly developing priorities.
• Demonstrable experience in the practical and effective use of personal IT equipment and the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

Desirable

• Governance qualification or relevant professional development.
• Significant experience in a governance and/or secretariat role within a UK charity or not‑for‑profit organisation (eg. education, health, public service).
• Experience working in a complex international or globally federated organisation.
• Exposure to international governance environments.

Other information

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (please upload as one document) by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close applications before the advertised closing date, or if a suitable candidate is found.

Application checklist

• An up‑to‑date CV
• Letter of Motivation, which is a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the key requirements of the role

Recruitment timetable

Closing date for applications: Sunday 19 April 2026, 11:59pm (BST)

Interviews: w/c 27 April 2026

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Accessibility

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 by contacting [email protected]

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organisation. MSF UK thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Safeguarding

MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation, for whatever reason and however brief. All posts are subject to safer recruitment process which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.

Right to work in the UK

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Employment sponsorship will NOT be offered by MSF UK for this role.