JOB DESCRIPTION

MSF UK and Ireland

Application checklist

Please check you have included the following documents in your application email to by 9am on Monday 2nd September 2013:

CV

Letter of motivation

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Job Description

Human ResourcesOfficer

Part-time Position – 24hrs/week, how to space this throughout the week can be discussed with successful candidate

Salary - £18,729

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical relief organisation, dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 70 countries worldwide, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities.

MSF-UK is one of 23 offices and operational centres (OCs) in Europe, America, Asia and Australasia, pooling funding, expertise and staff for field operations. There are currently 6 departments within the UK office (fundraising, communications, finance, programmes, medical (called the Manson Unit (MU), HR) and an office in Dublin.

MSF's aim is to provide impartial assistance, on the basis of need alone, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, creed or political affiliation. To maintain its independence from political interference, MSF relies on donations from individuals around the world for at least 50% of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond to the greatest needs as fast as possible.

As medical professionals, MSF field staff have a duty to try and protect their patients from violence and abuse. MSF often chooses to speak out about gross violations of humanitarian law against civilians in conflict, refugees, unaccompanied children and other vulnerable groups, in an attempt to bring abuse to world attention.

The mandate of the UK section has traditionally been to provide technical, human resources, financial and communications support to field operations. That support has now evolved towards taking direct, medical and operational responsibility for specific project development. MSF-UK’s income for the year ending 31 Dec 2010 was in excess of 25 million, over 80% of which was spent directly on MSF’s overseas field programmes. The UK office currently has around 50 full time staff working in the London office and placed over 200 medical & non-medical staff to work in projects in the field during 2010. The staff in the UK office are dynamic, enthusiastic, committed to the aims of MSF and not afraid of “mucking-in” when necessary.

Human Resources Department

The HR Function is responsible for attracting, selecting, developing and retaining high-quality medical and non-medical volunteers for MSF operations and MSF UK & Ireland office staff.

The department provides HRM support to both the MSF UK field staff and MSF UK and Ireland staff. It is actively involved in the international MSF HRM forum to promote best practice in the management and support of field staff in general and to provide more equal opportunities for UK field workers in particular. The department plays a pivotal role in building up and maintaining relationships with the UK medical community and networking with medical institutions.

In addition the department is part of a larger ‘virtual HR department’ for Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) which comprises MSFUK, MSF Germany and MSF Holland. Together the department works in partnership on all aspects of field related HRM.

Human ResourcesOfficer

Reports to: HR Manager Field staffing

Job Purpose:

  • To provide the MSF movement with the right candidates for field positions in sufficient quantities and at the right time
  • To recruit, retain, develop and place medical and non-medical professionals for MSF field programmes
  • To provide HR advice and support to MSF field staff throughout their involvement with MSF

Key responsibilities:

  • Contributes to the development of and implements the integrated recruitment strategy
  • Plans and participates in a variety of recruitment activities in line with the recruitment strategy and the annual plan
  • Keeps abreast of relevant labour market trends in the UK and Ireland and advises on practical implications for MSF
  • Keeps abreast of the HR needs in operational centres and adjusts recruitment and selection activities accordingly
  • Liaises effectively with relevant staff in the OCs on demand and supply issues, reflecting on changes and their implications
  • Establishes and maintains effective relationships with relevant professional institutions and other organisations with an eye on recruitment and retention
  • Liaises with relevant staff in other departments re the organisation of recruitment activities
  • Provides content for the development of appropriate recruitment material
  • Carries out appropriate and timely selection of suitable candidates, ensuring sufficient availability of candidates in the pool to meet operational needs
  • Matches available candidates with suitable vacancies, balancing organisational and individual needs
  • Maintains regular contact with individual expatriates before, during and after deployment in order to provide HR support and advice
  • Deals with disciplinary and grievance procedures related to staff in his/her pool
  • Briefs departing and debriefs returning field staff in order to learn from their experiences and to offer them practical support (re-integration, career evolution and future missions)
  • Advises on and ensures learning and development needs of individuals are met in order to meet operational needs and aid retention
  • Contributes actively to the talent management programme by identifying talent and promoting their development and retention
  • Acts as contact person with family in case of security incidents and/or evacuation. This includes shared responsibility with colleagues for the on call HR mobile
  • Develops and maintains effective working relationships with HR staff in operational centres
  • Actively participates in working groups addressing specific HR issues within the movement in general and OCA in particular
  • Developsrelationships with professional bodies and relevant organisations in order to mutually increase appropriate knowledge and aid retention
  • Networks with colleagues in other UK-based NGOs to share ideas and to promote good practice

Essential skills and behaviours:

  • Field experience with MSF or a similar organisation, or strong knowledge of field HR in the NGO sector
  • Proven experience in HR, particularly in recruitment and placement of candidates
  • Familiar with (UK) employment law and understanding of labour markets
  • Excellent inter-personal, networking and communication skills
  • Strong organisational and prioritising skills and the ability to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, unpredictable and demanding environment
  • Flexible in terms of time as job requires occasional overtime as well as willingness and ability to do ensuing administration (self-servicing)
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including to MSF field projects
  • Fluency in written and spoken English
  • Commitment to aims and values of Médecins Sans Frontières

Desirable skills and behaviours:

  • CIPD qualification (or equivalent level of professional knowledge and expertise) or working towards this
  • Medical or paramedical background
  • Knowledge of French or Spanish

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a part-time, temporary position, on a fixed-term 12 month contract, and the requirement is to work 24 hours a week. The salary for this post will be £18,729 inc. Inner London Weighting

Current Benefits at MSF UK and Ireland:

SALARIES

MSF UK & Ireland pays the salaries into the bank account on the 21st of each month.

FLEXITIME SCHEME

MSF UK & Ireland operates flexi time. The daily requirement for full time staff is to work 8 hours plus half an hour for lunch with core hours between 9.30am-5.00pm and flexi time periods between 8.30am – 9.30am and 5.00pm-6.00pm.

ANNUAL LEAVE

The MSF UK & Ireland holiday (annual leave) year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Annual entitlement for full-time staff is 28 days per year in addition to UK bank holidays (pro rata for part-time)

SICK LEAVE

On completion of the probationary period, employees of MSF UK & Ireland receive additional benefits though our Group Income Protection Scheme and Group Life Scheme.

PENSION PLAN

On completion of the probationary period employees of MSF UK & Ireland can join the Group personal Pension Plan. Members of the scheme contribute between 3% and 5% of their salary. Contributions are deducted from salaries. MSF contributes 3% (for those paying 3 or 4 % of their salary) and 10% for those paying 5%.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

MSF UK & Ireland has an annual performance review process in place during which individual development needs are discussed and training needs identified.

HOW TO APPLY – THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Timetable:

  • Closing date for applications: 9am on 2nd September 2013
  • Interviews: 3rd and 5th September 2013
  • Start date: ASAP (please indicate in your motivation letter how soon you could take up the position)

To Apply

If you are interested in this position please send your CV and a letter of motivationexplaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification to:

Beverly Gurevitz

Human Resources Officer

E-mail:

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) UK is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment. MSF UK/Ireland values the diversity of its workforce and is firmly committed to creating a culture of dignity and respect at work that values the rights of every individual.

We ask you to complete this form to assist us in monitoring who is applying for employment with us, our adherence to equal opportunities best practice and our progress towards identifying any barriers to diversity among our workforce.

This form will be separated from your application on receipt, and will not be seen by the interview panel or used in any way for the purposes of selection. If you are subsequently employed by MSF UK/Ireland it may be retained upon your personal file. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence, and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

SECTION A: AGE

Please tick the age group you belong to

 16 – 21 22 – 30  31 – 40 41 – 50 51 – 60

 61 – 64 65 + I would prefer not to say

SECTION B: GENDER

What is your gender? Male Female I would prefer not to say

SECTION C: ETHNIC ORIGIN

What is your ethnic group? Choose ONE section from 1 to 5, and then tick the appropriate box to indicate your cultural background.

1. White

BritishIrish

Any other White background (please specify)

2. Mixed

White and Black Caribbean White and Black African White and Asian

Any other Mixed background (please specify)

3. Asian or Asian British

IndianPakistaniBangladeshi

 Any other Asian background (please specify)

4. Black or Black British

CaribbeanAfrican

 Any other Black background (please specify)

5. Chinese or other ethnic group

ChineseAny other (please specify)

 I would prefer not to say

SECTION D: DISABILITY

The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. With this definition in mind, do you consider yourself to be disabled?

 Yes No I would prefer not to say

If yes, please provide a brief summary of your disability if you wish to.

SECTION E: RELIGION AND BELIEF

Please indicate the term which best describes your religion/belief.

Christian

Buddhist

Hindu

Jewish

Muslim

Sikh

Other (please specify)

No religion or belief

I would prefer not to say

SECTION F: SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Please indicate the term which best describes your sexual orientation.

Bisexual

Gay man

Gay woman / lesbian

Heterosexual

I would prefer not to say

SECTION G: ADVERTISING

Where did you hear about this opportunity to work for MSF?

MSF UK/Ireland Association

MSF UK/Ireland website

Agency (please specify)

Other website (please specify)

Newspaper (please specify)

Magazine (please specify)

Conference / Event (please specify)

Word of mouth

Last updated: August 2013