MSF OCB is seeking Senior Human Resources Managers: Internationally Recruited Flexible Roles!
Organization: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Operational Centre: Brussels
Application Deadline: 7 January 2026 (24:00 CET)
About Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian medical organization providing life-saving assistance to populations affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or human-made disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. MSF operates in more than 70 countries and delivers aid without discrimination based on origin, nationality, ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or political affiliation.
The MSF Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) employs over 15,000 staff worldwide, with more than 90% working in countries of intervention across 37 countries. The Human Resources Department supports this global workforce through a team of approximately 130 HR professionals based primarily in Brussels, Kinshasa, and Abidjan.
Position Overview
MSF OCB is seeking Senior Human Resources Managers to support field operations in diverse and often complex humanitarian contexts. Human Resources professionals at MSF act as strategic partners in delivering the organization’s social mission by ensuring a safe, equitable, and inclusive working environment. They support a global, mobile, and diverse workforce while maintaining robust administrative and managerial frameworks that ensure MSF remains a responsible employer.
As more than 60% of MSF-OCB programs operate in emergency settings, emergency preparedness, internal mobility, and rapid response capacity are key priorities within the HR function.
Main Purpose
The Senior Human Resources Manager ensures effective planning and management of project human resources throughout the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to end of contract. The role ensures compliance with MSF internal policies and national labor legislation while acting as a strategic HR partner to program teams.
The position contributes to achieving program objectives through capacity building, quality HR processes, and proactive people management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic HR Alignment
- Translate program objectives into coherent HR plans and structures
- Position HR as a strategic partner to operations, providing proactive and solution-oriented support
- Lead or contribute to change management initiatives
- Implement and adapt the country HR strategy in line with MSF-OCB priorities
Human Resources Management
- Ensure workforce planning aligned with program and project needs
- Manage recruitment, onboarding, career follow-up, and end-of-contract processes
- Ensure compliance with MSF policies and local labor legislation
- Maintain accurate personnel records and coordinate payroll with finance teams
- Supervise and/or perform payroll procedures
- Support line managers through coaching and HR advisory services
- Promote staff development, performance management, talent identification, and training needs assessment
- Facilitate initiatives supporting staff well-being
Capacity Building
- Organize training and knowledge transfer for HR teams
- Strengthen people-management competencies among managers and team leaders
Safeguarding
- Promote and maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive organizational culture
- Ensure adherence to MSF safeguarding commitments across all working environments
Requirements
Education and Experience
- Degree in Human Resources, Management, Economics, Administration, or Human Sciences
- Minimum two years of proven experience as an HR Manager or HR Team Leader
(HR Coordinator experience is an asset) - Experience with international NGOs
- Experience in both operational HR and strategic HR partnership roles
- Experience in emergency or humanitarian contexts
- Coaching and mentoring experience is an asset
Competencies
- People management and development
- Strong commitment to MSF principles and values
- Behavioral flexibility and adaptability
- Results and quality orientation
- Teamwork and cooperation
Languages
- Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is mandatory
- Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic is an asset
Other Requirements
- Availability for international deployment of at least 9–12 months
- Willingness to work in all contexts, including high-insecurity environments
- Adherence to MSF principles, managerial values, and behavioral commitments
What MSF Offers
MSF offers meaningful and challenging work with direct impact on populations affected by crisis. The organization provides long-term career development opportunities, a salary aligned with MSF salary grids, and contractual conditions based on the relevant MSF entity linked to the candidate’s residence. Benefits include shared accommodation during assignments, round-trip travel, and a comprehensive insurance package covering health and emergency evacuation.
Most MSF projects take place in acute or chronic crisis settings, where living and working conditions may be challenging due to security constraints, isolation, climate, and infrastructure limitations.
Application Process
Candidates must apply through MSF’s online application platform and upload a CV and motivation letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application deadline: 7 January 2026 (24:00 CET)
MSF is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from individuals from under-represented backgrounds.
Submit your application by clicking on ‘Online-Application’
