HR Coordinator Isabelle and Donka's Field Admin centre Marie go through a batch of applications, looking for an administrative assistant for the Ebola mission. © Laura Bianchi/MSF

Human Resources Coordinator

Whether going out to the projects to provide training and support for the HR field staff or working in the capital developing HR policies, HRCOs provide the essential technical expertise to ensure that our national and international staff enjoy a safe and fair workplace and build successful careers with MSF.

Human resources directors, Human resources managers

Responsibilities

As a human resources (HR) coordinator, you will primarily be responsible for developing and implementing all HR-related policies across all Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) projects in a country or region of a country. You will work in close collaboration with HR teams in headquarters and in the projects to ensure staffing needs of all projects are met. You will support and advise on staff development as well as on a wide variety of HR issues as they arise. You will ensure MSF operates within the labour laws of the project country. You will be responsible for management, training and supervision of locally hired HR staff. You will be part of the project management team. You will be based in the country capital with regular visits to projects.

Requirements

  • Relevant degree or diploma in HR management and administration
  • Minimum two years relevant experience in a senior HR role
  • Proven practical experience in HR management (including the development of HR policies and principles)
  • Ability to understand and function in different legal environments
  • Proven ability to work as part of a senior management team, including project planning responsibilities
  • Experience in managing staff in a multicultural team (supervision and training)
  • Excellent command of English, as well as French (level B2) or another language (Arabic, Spanish). Refer to this evaluation grid
  • Relevant travel or work experience in contexts similar to where MSF works (armed conflicts, disasters, public health emergencies or situations of healthcare exclusion)
  • Available to work nine to 12 months

Assets

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel

MSF Core Competencies

  • Behaviour flexibility: Level 2
    • Adapts behaviour to the needs of the situation
  • Teamwork and cooperation: Level 2
    • Shares information and coordinates with team and others
  • Result and quality orientation: Level 2
    • Works towards objectives, preserving established standards
  • Commitment to MSF principles: Level 1
    • Demonstrates knowledge of and accepts MSF’s principles
  • People management: Level 2
    • Gives feedback and sets limits
  • Cross-cultural awareness: Level 3
    • Demonstrates an integrating attitude
  • Stress management: Level 2
    • Manages own stress
  • Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI): Level 1
    • Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context

Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context

To find out more about MSF core competencies, please look here.

You can find a comprehensive view of MSF career paths here.

Before you apply

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Security and Safety

Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.

Please watch this video for information on how MSF manages security.

International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.

Terms of Employment

MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits. See more information on the terms of employment.

MSF favours at least 2 years of active commitment during which time international staff complete 2 to 4 assignments. There are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization, into the medical, non-medical and coordination streams. For more information on learning and development as well as career opportunities with MSF, see our FAQ.

To learn more about how MSF supports IMGs with EPIC service, free of cost, click here.

Final Thoughts

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences in the field to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten.

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