HR Advisors Operational Desks At Médecins Sans Frontières

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, we are a worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.

MSF coordinates operations through collaborations between global offices. The ‘MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam’ (OCA) is a partnership that is composed of the partners MSF-Canada, MSF-Germany, MSF-SARA, MSF-Sweden, MSF-Holland and MSF-United Kingdom. MSF-OCA has a team of more than 11,000 staff working in 115 emergency projects in about 31 countries.

The office of MSF-Holland located in Amsterdam hosts more than 400 employees, offering direct support to MSF-OCA operations. Around 50 staff focus on recruitment, communication and fundraising and 350 staff are focused on supporting MSF-OCA operations.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such, MSF is by choice (Chantilly) an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and commitment and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

With immediate effect, MSF-OCA is looking for:

HR Advisors Operational Desks (100%)

Based in Amsterdam and Berlin offices (other locations may be exceptionally considered)

Approx. 20-40% travel to the field

The HR Advisor directly supports, from the HR perspective, o ur medical humanitarian operations in the field. The HR Advisor acts as strategic partner to the support to MSF operations in the field and ensures a good management of HR (consistency and quality) of the countries managed by the Operational Support Team (i.e. operational desk).

Place in the organisation

The HR Advisor Operational Desk is member if the Human Resources Management (HRM) department.

The HR Advisor is also fully embedded in one of five the Operational Support Team (OST) of MSF OCA and works in close collaboration with its other components, operational and technical experts (medical, logistics, finance, etc.).

The HR Advisor functionally manages HR coordinators of the missions of portfolio, providing direct guidance and support. The HR Advisor reports hierarchically to the HR Advisor Coordinator and functionally responds to the Operations Manager (OM) of the OST.

Objectives of the position

Provides HR strategic and tactical support to the mission. Supervises the implementation of HR related policies and tools in the Mission portfolio of the OST, ensuring they are in line with OCAs HR and International framework and operational and context needs.
As a pro-active member of the OST, acts as a liaison between Operations and HR Department in HQ, ensuring quality HR advice and an efficient flow of information between the two departments and disseminating HR state of affairs within the Mission portfolio.
Collaborates with Operations Desk & HRCO in designing the Mission’s HR objectives planned in Control Planning cycles, to support the mission’s operational objectives.

Main responsibilities

Strategy & development

Coordinates tactical staffing year plan with HRCO focusing on development of locally recruited staff throughout the employee life cycle, development
Represents and liaises on behalf of the HR Department towards the assigned Operational Desk and its Operational Support Team (OST)
Works in close collaboration with Learning & Development, coordinates development of joint mission staff strategies.

Operational / mission support

Provides support and guidance to the Operational Managers and its Operational Support Team (OST) to ensure HR requirements for the missions are met; sparring partner for the Desk
Provides support and guidance to OMs and other field managers on HR year planning, HR processes and staffing issues
Regular field support visits of approximately 20-40% per year, equivalent to 1x per year of each mission and projects in the portfolio and other additional trips needed to gain in-depth understanding of mission and projects contexts and requirements; HQ HR representation in the field.
Responsible for supporting, coaching, steering and mentoring of HRCOs in the portfolio(s).

Ensure quality and efficiency

Provides overall framework, and initiates and coordinates, in collaboration with HRCOs, on mission and Desk’s HR related activities such as staff year planning, projects, implementations, etc.
Coordinates HR tactical/technical activities and leading on the specialised HR topics and policies such as Compensation & Benefits, talent management of National Staff, L&D, Performance management, Responsible Behaviour Framework
Liaises with HR Specialists and other teams to ensure correct implementation, execution and monitoring of HRM policies in collaboration with HRCO and ensure cohesion with OCA and other MSF intersectional initiatives and policies
Coordinates and collaborates with HRCOs and on occasion with HR Implementers on major mission HR implementations such as changes in benefit, function grids and other HR frames.
Contributes as part of the HR Advisor team to the development of common frameworks, tools and processes.

Candidate Profile

Dynamic and used to working in a fast paced and demanding environment
Committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees
People oriented as well as results driven with excellent communication skills
A team player and able to motivate and inspire people to work towards a common purpose
An open and active mindset, with cooperation, coordination and performance management skills, whilst also being able to work independently
Strong on planning and project management capabilities
Ability to travel to the field approximately 20-40%, including within short notice.

Requirements

At least 3 years’ experience in HR at a senior level.
Experience in several MSF missions, with a track record of delivering results at senior management level, is strongly preferred, or similar experience in another humanitarian NGO is also well regarded.
In-depth knowledge of HR best practices together with working knowledge of HR systems.
Excellent command (C1) of the English language is mandatory. Working proficiency in French, Arabic or Spanish language skills are strong added values. For some of the positions, French is mandatory as well.

We offer

A Dutch employment contract to start the latest on 1^st December 2021, based on 40 hours per week. The present vacancy applies to cover a number of HR Advisor positions, of different duration ranging from 6 months or to permanent.

If you are based in Amsterdam, a gross monthly salary in scale 7 with a current salary range between € 3,397 and € 4,851 depending on relevant work experience, based on a fulltime appointment. Other benefits include 30 holidays and a premium free pension.

If you are working from another location (Berlin or else), the local terms and conditions, contract and salary grid will then apply. W e can only contract in another country where we have an MSF office.

Application

If you recognise yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via our website and upload a letter of motivation + Curriculum Vitae (in English) as one combined document.

The closing date for applications is 19 September 2021.

Selection will be by means of two rounds of interviews. MSF reserves the possibility to submit an assignment or test as well.

Please note that only candidates who fully meet the requirements of the position and complete application will be taken into consideration.