Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland is recruiting a Digital Archiving Specialist for its Geneva office. This is a full-time, open-ended position focused on digital records management, archiving, document preservation and the use of artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning, OCR/HTR and natural language processing.
The application deadline is September 6, 2026, although MSF says it may close the vacancy earlier if enough quality applications are received.
Digital Archiving Specialist: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse |
| Position | Digital Archiving Specialist |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Contract | Open-ended |
| Workload | 100% / 40 hours per week |
| Ideal start | As soon as possible |
| Gross annual salary | CHF 87,372–CHF 100,608 |
| Paid vacation | 25 days per year, prorated |
| Working languages | English and French |
| Relocation support | Available for eligible candidates |
| Application deadline | September 6, 2026 |
| Application documents | CV up to 2 pages + cover letter up to 1 page |
What will the Digital Archiving Specialist do?
The role combines archival expertise, records management and technical work involving data and AI. The successful candidate will help ensure that MSF’s digital information remains reliable, traceable, accessible and properly preserved over time.
A significant part of the position involves developing and applying automated technologies. This includes designing and leading the development of machine-learning models and working with OCR/HTR, NLP, and supervised and unsupervised classification technologies.
The specialist will also be responsible for making sure automated systems are properly documented, including their methodological choices and limitations. An understanding of AI’s weaknesses—particularly biases and errors—is therefore part of the profile MSF is seeking.
Other responsibilities include:
- Implementing records-management policies and internal archiving procedures.
- Maintaining the integrity, authenticity and traceability of digital documents.
- Analysing business processes and structuring document workflows.
- Reducing legal, operational and reputational risks related to document management.
- Developing digital-preservation strategies, including migration, long-term formats and integrity measures.
- Managing the collection, processing, description, preservation, disclosure and secure disposal of documents.
- Supporting continuity of the ADOC unit’s activities when colleagues are absent.
The position therefore sits at the intersection of archiving, information management, data science and technology rather than being a conventional archival role.
Who is eligible for the MSF Switzerland position?
MSF is looking for candidates with a tertiary degree or equivalent in Information Science or History. Strong programming ability is also required, with Python, R and JavaScript among the examples given.
A dual background combining archiving and IT is described as highly desirable.
Professional experience should cover both archiving/digital archiving/documentation and data science. Candidates should also have practical technical experience with areas such as Python or R, NLP, machine learning, OCR and document processing.
The technical profile includes knowledge of:
- Archive and data-protection standards and regulations.
- Document-management tools.
- Digital document processing.
- NLP and machine-learning technologies.
- OCR and related document-recognition technologies.
Knowledge of archival standards including ISO 15489 and OAIS is relevant to the work because the position involves developing digital-preservation strategies in line with archival and legal standards.
English and French are essential
English and French are the working languages of MSF Switzerland, and both are essential for this position. MSF says additional languages are welcome.
The organization is also looking for someone comfortable working across departments and engaging in technical discussions with data specialists and developers. Teaching ability and a service-oriented approach are among the qualities listed.
The personal profile goes beyond technical knowledge. MSF highlights analytical, organisational and structuring skills, flexibility, stress-management ability and the capacity to work in a multicultural environment. An interest in geopolitical issues is also included among the desired competencies.
Salary, contract and other employment terms
The Digital Archiving Specialist is offered as a 100% full-time position equivalent to 40 hours per week, with an open-ended contract based in Geneva.
The stated gross annual salary for a full-time employee is CHF 87,372 to CHF 100,608, with the exact salary depending on equivalent experience and MSF’s internal salary grid.
The employment package also includes 25 days of paid vacation per year, prorated according to the applicable employment period, plus Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
MSF states that its pension contribution is divided with three-quarters covered by MSF and one-quarter by the staff member. Relocation support is also available for eligible candidates.
MSF’s approach to inclusion and recruitment
MSF OCG says candidates should consider applying even if they do not meet every listed qualification, provided they believe their overall profile is a good match. The organization describes its workplace as one intended to support diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
MSF also states that it does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.
The organization notes that applications are treated confidentially and that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
How to apply for the Digital Archiving Specialist job
Applications must be submitted exclusively through MSF’s recruitment platform.
Applicants need to provide:
- CV — maximum 2 pages
- Cover letter — maximum 1 page
Both documents must be submitted in English or French.
The official deadline is September 6, 2026. Because MSF reserves the right to close the vacancy early once it has received a sufficient number of quality applications, candidates interested in the role should not assume the vacancy will remain open until the stated deadline.
