HR Role at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

GENERAL CONTEXT

The Field HR is an integral part of the HR unit of the Nairobi Branch office with a team composed of the Career manager, Recruitment officer, Psychosocial Support (PSU) and Head of HR. With the objective of supporting staff recruited from the region into the international MSF pool of Expats, this position will be directly responsible for linking with expats from the region and supporting them through their career within MSF.

JOB CONTEXT

As a member of the HR team of NBO, the Career Manager reports to the Head of HR/Admin.
He/she will both lead in his/areas of work providing critical input on strategic developments of the Field HR, and working with the team to contribute to the global strategy and play a key role on implementation.

He/She works closely with the recruitment Officer and compliments the role where management of international staff recruited are concerned.

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

The scope of the position is twofold;

Consolidate, review/update strategies and initiatives on proximity management developed and implement the same to enable international staff recruited from the region be better supported, and follow the pool of staff through their MSF career by facilitating and advising on placements and further career development within MSF.

Initiate and take proactive lead in developing the career management portfolio and grow this over time; the CM will play a key role in all new developments and strategies for implementation within the vision/objective of the NBO and following the recruitment/development plan.

The CM manages HR partnerships with assigned operational canters (OCs) and other MSF Offices, advising on placement of Eastern Africa field personnel, analysing effectiveness of placements, developing career management plans for promising personnel and overseeing field workers retention.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Strategic
  
  • Take the lead on the development and implementation of the proximity management strategy in collaboration with the HR team in Nairobi and Barcelona
  • Take the lead on developing and implementation of the international Field HR Career Management action plan, ensuring that the strategy is well aligned to the vision of HR for NBO and internalized in the annual plans. Ensures smooth implementation of the strategy and annual plans.
  • Engage with the broader MSF HR network in order to capture new needs that can be supported from Nairobi and learn from similar activities/initiatives
  • Monitor effectiveness of the strategies in place and adapt in case of need.
    Placement
  • Develop the system/process for placement of candidates and foresee progressively implementation of various activities based on development of the career management portfolio.
  • Proactively review field vacancies and identify candidates for proposal with designated Operational Centres (OCs);
  • Confers with Pool Managers (PMs) and recruiters to identify personnel needs, job specifications, qualifications and skills;
  • In consultation with the Nairobi and other OC’s Recruitment Officers (ROs), refers candidates for placement in appropriate field positions according to skills, experience and availability;
  • Meets regularly with the other Pool managers and recruiter to determine best fit of applicants in various OC vacancies; and help identify high potential and future profiles;
  • Support the placement of first mission staff on preparatory training courses as available;
  • Manages candidate expectations in a realistic way;
  • Participates in other HR activities that will facilitate the placement of Field Workers
  • With the NBO recruitment officer, create a database of potential profiles that can be contacted in case of emergencies and encourage the potential profiles to be available/mobile for Emergencies;
• Briefing and preparation
  
  • Define a proper briefing/debriefing plan and activities for new and current staff.
  • Provides departing field workers with necessary information;
  • Links departing field workers to returned field workers with prior experience in the country as possible (mentors);
  • Provides timely information to recruiting OC’s to allow preparation of necessary documents and travel arrangements;
• Support and quality control
  
  • Assists expatriates while in the field as required (personal issues);
  • Liaises with HR departments in designed OCs to assess on-going field worker performance;
  • Act as the HR focal point for E.A. Field Workers to ensure consistently high quality of support to each field worker.
  • Where required, communicates with families / contact persons in the event of emergency situations;
  • Support and back up the recruitment officer where needed/feasible.
  • Debriefing, career planning and professional development
  • Develop/define and follow through the implementation of the career management plan and strategy for the NBO.
  • Support in Field staff retention and development Strategy through meaningful recognition, career path identification and by providing relevant learning and development opportunities;
  • Proactively liaises with the Field HR Team to propose candidates for career development, in accordance with the MSF Policy;
  • In consultation with OCs, support the planning of relevant training and career development for candidates;
  • Maintains on-going communications with candidates interested in future missions;
  • Provide mission-related feedback to OCs where necessary;
• Administration and general duties
  
  • Contributes to departmental planning and participate in international HR discussions;
  • Supports the implementation and development of the Field staff retention plan.
  • Contributes to HR Reporting and statistics;
  • Organises and/or actively participates and contributes to the success of Welcome Days and PPD sessions.
  • Works toward helping the overall organization understand field realities through returning field workers;
  • There will sometimes be the opportunity to go on short field assignments and / or to co-facilitate trainings in the field, where possible and in consultation with HR Manager;
  • Travel to national and international meetings, as required;
  • As part of duty of care ensure that IS from the region has access to preventive health measures before leaving to a mission (vaccination, health screening and PSU) as well as when returning from a mission.
    Through the NBO Admin support, manage and coordinate movements of international staff and assure that sufficient administrative/logistical support is available for staff from Kenya and the region;
  • Backs-up colleagues, as required.
• Networking and Key events
  
  • Set up and facilitate events that will enhance induction of newly recruited staff as well as connecting the staff from the region with the NBO and with each other
  • Organize gathering for the fieldworkers.
  • Organize welcome days for the newly recruited people
  • Actively support the development of the broader NBO strategy
  • Act as a spokesperson for MSF in “marketing” the organization to potential recruits
  • Link with the communications unit – help to identify potential spokespeople from the region and inform comms about people coming back from missions so that their stories can be captured
  • Work closely with the East African Association (EAA) in order to identify people and associative events that will facilitate linking with field staff in or between missions
  • Contribute to the expansion of the networking base of the NBO
  • Pro-actively link Staff with the happenings in the broader MSF movement
  • Link field workers with the EAA and encourage them to take part in associative debates and events
  • Invite Fieldworkers for events conducted either by the office or association
  • Ensure Field workers are in the know of the happenings in the movement

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education and experience:

• University degree/diploma in Health, social or human sciences are desirable, specializations in HR, Psychology or related field would be an advantage.
• Experienced in diverse international contexts through assignments with voluntary humanitarian non-governmental organizations.
• At least 2-3 years International Field experience with MSF is highly desirable.
• Experience in placement and career management/development is desirable.
• High knowledge and understanding of African contexts and cultures.
• Fluent English
• Use of IT tools and Web 2.0 software (LinkedIn, Facebook,etc.)

Required competencies:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Stress Management
• Analytical Thinking
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Service Orientation
• Planning and Organizing
• Teamwork and Cooperation

Others

Availability to travel to the various recruitment areas or countries and high mobility within/out of East African region, and occasional travel outside the region.

Conditions

Location: Based in Nairobi, at the Médecins Sans Frontières-Spain Nairobi Branch Office

Annual gross salary of KSH. 3,465,673 + Secondary Benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy

Starting date: ASAP