Emergency Pool Mobile Human Resources Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières Belgium; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High Mobility Allowance

Medical insurance 100% covered

45 days annual leave

Accomplishment bonus 1.5 months

Global assignments

Job summary

MSF Belgium is seeking an HR Manager for its Emergency Pool (E-Pool) based in Brussels, deployed on short-term assignments to support emergencies. You will oversee HR, recruitment, payroll processes and staff development, coordinating with the Project Coordinator and HR Coordinator to ensure rapid, compliant HR support in crisis contexts.

The role requires resilience, cross-cultural sensitivity, and the ability to manage under pressure, with travel to intervention contexts as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in HR management or administration is desirable.
• Minimum 9 months MSF international programme experience in HR/FIN Manager positions.
• Experience in unstable and/or highly insecure context is essential.
• Leadership and people management能力 are required.
• International experience with other INGOs is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and implement HR and administrative activities per MSF protocols.
• Provide rapid HR support to operations to enable swift deployment.
• Assess HR needs and allocate resources in line with priorities and guidelines.
• Plan and oversee recruitment, onboarding, evaluation and development processes.
• Advise on HR needs, org charts and job descriptions; support staff shifts and leave planning.
• Ensure employment contracts comply with local labor laws and maintain staff files.

Skills

HR management

Leadership

Staff development

Conflict resolution

Payroll

Recruitment

Onboarding

Budgeting

Education

Degree in HR management or administration

Tools

MSF OCB HR tools

Job description

Within the Operations Department of MSF Belgium (Operational Center Brussels - OCB), our Emergency Pool (E-Pool) has as primary function to intervene directly and quickly with medical activities in crisis situations such as conflicts, epidemics, outbreaks and natural disasters while guaranteeing the quality of interventions. It is also tasked with the monitoring and identification of crises that may arise.

The E-Pool consists of one E-Pool Coordinator and a deputy, and two Emergency Coordinators based in Brussels. In addition to the Emergency coordinators, the E-Pool unit is composed of technical referent officers in Supply, Logistics, Human Resources (HR) and Finance.

The E-Pool also includes a Mobile Emergency Team deployed in emergency operations and composed of different profiles of coordinators and technicians. Members of the E-Pool Mobile Team travel at short notice to any context where the E-Pool is leading interventions, operating in a roving capacity. They undertake successive several short-term assignments between 6 weeks to 3 months, though in exceptional cases, it may extend beyond 3 months.

As E-Pool Mobile HR Manager, you’re deployed on short-term assignments to support emergencies led by the Emergency Pool in Brussels, primarily in the role of HR Manager, though other HR functions may be covered as needed. You demonstrate a hands-on approach, strong adaptability, and cultural sensitivity, working under the supervision of the Project Coordinator (PC) and the HR Coordinator (HRCo) overseeing the emergency. Assignment priorities are defined by the E-Pool HR Officers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, coordinate, and implement HR and administrative activities in line with MSF protocols and local legal requirements, while adapting them to the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of emergency contexts.
• Provide rapid and reliable support to operations by prioritizing urgent HR needs, enabling and supporting the swift deployment, and supporting and strengthening the proper management of resources.
• Assess and monitor the project’s HR needs, ensuring timely sizing and efficient allocation of resources in line with operational priorities and HR guidelines, in close coordination with the PC and HRCo
• Plan and oversee HR processes-recruitment, onboarding, HR management (internal regulation and policies), evaluation, and development, ensuring they are adapted to the emergency context and implemented efficiently. Support project line managers in applying these processes to strengthen team capacity and engagement
• Advise on and update the project’s HR needs, organizational chart and job descriptions; assist in planning staff shifts and leave to ensure continuous HR coverage for emergency activities
• Ensure all employment contract-related procedures (recruitment, amendments, terminations) comply with local labor laws. Maintain accurate staff files and tax documentation.
• Support conflict resolution in collaboration with the PC and HRCo
• Supervise payroll processes, ensuring timely and accurate salary payments through Homère. Under HRCo supervision, support salary grid updates to maintain internal equity and compliance.
• Implement administrative procedures linked to MoUs with local partners (e.g. Ministries of Health), ensuring alignment with emergency operations
• Being responsible for the management, supervision and development of the HR team, including coaching, training, motivating and ensuring their capability, detecting potential conflicts and finding solutions when necessary
• Coordinate staff movements and accommodations within the project, ensuring readiness and logistical support for rapid deployment
• Together with the PC and logistics team, ensure that proper living conditions are in place in the MSF Guesthouse for the Mobile Staff in the project.
• Store relevant information on the programs’ Digital Desk and ensure that the guidelines for record keeping in case of evacuation are in place
• In case of reduced team (explo, ...), some financial tasks might be required such as the management of financial workflows-cash boxes, advances, payments, and reconciliations—to anticipate project expenses and ensure secure, transparent financial operations in accordance with money security guidelines

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Degree in HR management or administration is desirable
• Minimum of 9 months of MSF international programme experience in HR/FIN Manager positions in at least 2 different contexts
• Experience in unstable and/or highly insecure context is essential
• Strong interest in growing into the HR path (towards HRCo) in MSF
• International working experience as HR Manager with other INGOs is an asset
• Dynamism, rigor and reactivity
• Results and quality orientation
• Creative problem-solving abilities
• Resistance to stress, ability to adapt to different contexts
• Leadership (able to set priorities, make choices and assume decisions)
• Flexibility - Autonomy
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• People Management and Development
• Experience in supervising, capacity building, coaching and training being a strong asset
• Knowledge of MSF OCB internal HR tools

Languages

• Proficiency in English and French, both spoken & written is mandatory
• Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese or Russian is an asset

Other

• Availability to travel to any country on short notice

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible
• Location: Carried out in the countries of intervention (all contexts, including high-insecurity contexts) - based in the country of residence in between assignments
• Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full-time
• Salary as per MSF mobile staff salary grid
• High Mobility Allowance
• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grid for mobile staff
• Medical insurance 100% covered as per international package; 45 days annual paid leaves; Accomplishment bonus of 1.5-month salary upon completion of a 12-month contract
• Not a family position
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioural Commitments

Deadline for applications

1st of November 2026

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.

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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