Human Resources Officer

CONTEXT 

At the heart of the Operations Department in the Operational Centre of Brussels (OCB), the cells are comprised of a multidisciplinary team of 7 people, including Coordinator of Operations (CO), Deputy CO, Medical Officer, Human Resources Officer (HRO), Logistic, Finance, Supply. Their role is to supervise and coordinate MSF activities in several countries. The cells are the direct interface from HQ to international programs. Each cell member oversees a specific component under the line management of an Operations Coordinator, and a functional management for the HRO with the Head of Field HR. In the cell, the HR department is represented by the HRO function.  

We’re currently looking for an HRO for cell 4, of which the portfolio consists of 8 contexts, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Indonesia, and MSF Migration Response for Central Northern Europe and Balkans (projects in Belgium, Serbia and Poland). 

The HRO plays a strategic role in implementing and managing HR resources, aligned with operational needs. The HRO ensures coherence of HR management, leads change management initiatives, and mentors HR teams. They work closely with multiple stakeholders to influence HR strategies and ensure effective HR operations in the field. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Operational Strategy and Technical Support:

As HRO, you 

• Contribute to the revision of OCB HR Strategic Orientation by giving HR OPS insight. 

• Co-design with Field HR and Operations the OCB Global HR OPS Action plan and are responsible for its implementation. 

• Are accountable for the HR Country Strategy and the Regional HR Strategy. 

• Maintain and safeguard coherence of Operational HR Strategy and frames and are accountable for capitalization of all HR related domains. 

• Mainstream, analyze and contextualize, give direction on all HR & Legal related topics: Staffing, People Management, L&D, Comp&Ben, administration framework, Duty of Care, Staff Health, Safeguarding (Ethics & Behavior, wellbeing, DEI, DARA, internal monitoring), Information knowledge management, Partnerships. 

• Lead the change management & mentor HR teams on implementation of transversal projects: ETSL (Empowered Team & Shared Leadership), Reward Review, DEI, Ethics & Behavior, Feedback and Feedforward, HRIS, etc. Ensure that HR Teams in programs have appropriated the transversal projects and have integrated them in their programs. Monitor mid- and long-term implementation of those projects. 

• Propose innovative HR solutions adjusted to operational needs and ambitions. 

2. Quality Control, Standards and Compliance Assurance 

• Are accountable for the HR & administrative quality of the programs (revise and validate program HR policies and frames).  

• Analyze risks and design management strategies to mitigate specific HR related risks for each context. 

• In the absence of a HRCo: the Cell HRO needs to support the Country Representative & Project Coordinator with defining the project HR strategy  

• Foster collaboration between Field HR and Center of Expertise.   

• Analyze the needs to contextualize HR management framework and mentors Field HR to develop and review local policies. Promote ownership of institutional standards, values and principles. 

• Assess the relevance of exception requests and obtain approval for all deviations according to procedure.  

• Monitor the legal-judicial framework in programs and collaborate with the Legal Unit, to ensure legal compliance. 

• Are accountable for the quality of data management in HRIS. 

3. Resource Management 

• Are responsible for the adequacy of HR of the programs: staffing strategy, quality of set up in programs, workforce planning. 

• Are accountable for the HR Budget of the Cell (which is at minimum 40% of the overall operational budget) and is the guarantor of the HR commitments taken during the ARO. 

• Guide and ensure the integration of institutional needs strategy (Space for All) into programs. 

• Mentor the field HR teams to ensure the quality of the HR demand. Monitor accuracy and deadlines of the HR demand. 

• Ensure that the matching process is respected and advise the program's coordinator selections process, upon need. 

• Manage the HR related aspects of critical incidents and emergencies (responsible employer, DoC, Solidarity). 

4. Stakeholder Coordination - Internal and External Communication and Representation 

• Coordinate and contribute to the institutional, operational and HR strategies definition in close collaboration with multiple stakeholders: programs, intersection, HR Department, technical referents, external and MSF partners, etc. 

• Negotiate and promote harmonization, mutualization and alignment of HR decisions with other ODs. 

5. Team Management, Supervision and Development 

• Are the functional manager of HRCo and strives continuous development of HRCo and take part of the feedback process as Functional Manager. 

• Conduct onboarding, induction of the HR chain; brief and debrief all coordinators and HR profiles. 

• Champion people management in programs and inspire good practices:   

• Promote synergies and collaboration across cell in terms of L&D on similar needs or transversal/ regional topics. 

• Analyze HR and L&D strategies and proposes L&D solutions 

• Foster interculturality awareness. 

• Support the management and/or directly mediate conflicts and performances issues. 

• Act as ambassador in Ethics & Behavior prevention and case management of teams and individual well-being DARA and DEI 

• Foster people development within the global workforce 

• Advocate for Locally Hired Staff (LHS) to be in the center of the development investment 

• Discuss with HQ L&D development solutions in programs 

6. Others (ad hoc or specific to the function) 

• Provide ad hoc HR OPS expertise in vertical files (working groups, steering committees, etc.) 

• Pilot and sponsor new HR projects e.g. feedback and feed-forward process. 

• Contribute as key user for HRIS projects.  

• Are an active member of various platforms (Cell meeting, HRO platform, ARO, QMM, Round Table and Project Intention, inter desks platform, etc.). 

• Are back-up of other HROs. 

• Are requested to co-facilitate training sessions. 

REQUIREMENTS 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree  

• Minimum 3 years of MSF international experience, at least 1 year as HRCo 

• Any MSF external HR experience is an asset 

• Experience as MSF Project Coordinator is a strong asset 

• Experience in managing ethical issues is a strong asset (guidance, support, prevention, mitigation and case management) 

Competencies 

• Strategic vision 

• Analytical skills 

• People Management 

• Teamwork 

• Leadership 

• Planning and organisation 

• Stress management 

• Communication 

• Negotiation 

• Proficient use of MS-Office 365, WeDoo, and Homere  

Languages 

• Proficient level in English, both oral and written is mandatory 

• French and Arabic are an asset 

Other  

• Available for frequent visits in international programs 

 CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: 23 June 2025 

• Location: based in Brussels (Belgium) 

• Contract type: Open-ended – Full-time 

• Mobility: at least one visit per year per program of the portfolio 

• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs 

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment 

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments 

Deadline for applications: 18th of May2025 

How to apply? 

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button     

➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position     

➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter in English or French ready to upload (preferably in PDF format)   

Position only open to candidates with previous MSF experience!  

No MSF experience? Check out other job offers on our website.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

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