Field HR Officer

Medecins Sans Frontieres South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A humanitarian organization based in Johannesburg is seeking a dedicated HR Officer to manage HR administrative support. The role involves handling HR information systems, supporting staff mobility, and coordinating HR events. Ideal candidates should have at least 2-3 years of HR experience, particularly in an NGO environment. The position offers a permanent contract and benefits, including a pension contribution and medical aid.

Benefits

Pension contribution

Medical aid contribution

Transport allowance

Cell phone allowance

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years experience in Human Resources administration in an NGO.
• Experience in staff mobility administration including visas and travel.
• Experience with HR information Systems (HRIS), data management and reporting.
• Experience coordinating HR-related events with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage HR information systems and support career management.
• Contribute to annual HR planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance for IMS travel and administrative needs.
• Coordinate HR events and maintain records for events.

Skills

Administrative skills

Coordination skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Job description

Overview

About Us

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Southern Africa is a vibrant part of a global network of principled professionals driven by medical ethics and a shared commitment to humanity. Operating in over 70 countries, our teams of doctors, nurses, logisticians, and other specialists deliver critical healthcare to people affected by conflict, disasters, epidemics, and exclusion from medical services. Beyond providing care, we bear witness to the challenges faced by the communities we serve, raising awareness and advocating for change to address emerging crises and healthcare inequities.

Based in Johannesburg with an office in Cape Town, MSF Southern Africa is a dynamic hub for recruitment, communications, and operational support, governed by the MSF Southern Africa Association with over 300 members from seven regional countries. We are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where every voice is valued. We warmly welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, abilities, and other diversity characteristics.

Job Overview

The purpose of HR Officer is to be responsible and accountable for the provision of FHR administrative support to the MSF SnA Section.

The Field Human Resources (FHR) Officer is responsible for supporting components of a large Field HR in the MSF SnA. The HR Officer is an FHR custodian, and is responsible for the implementation of MSF SnA FHR standards, protocols and procedures.

Responsibilities

• HRIS management
  • Support the Career manager in selection, development and integration of all HR information systems.
  • Collect and document information regarding HRIS within the parameters set by the Career Manager, presenting updates to the Career/FHR manager
  • Conduct annual as-is MSF SnA HRIS audit in collaboration with the Career Manager/DA (HRIS)
  • Arrange change management presentations linked to implementation of new HRIS systems
  • Communicate updates to HRIS, as necessary, to all relevant stakeholders
  • Prepare Scaling where required and ensure IMS experiences are captured correctly in the system
• FHR ANNUAL PLANNING, BUDGETING AND REPORTING
  • Contribute to annual action plans linked to relevant Field HR pools (medical and non-medical) and activities.
  • Support the Career/FHR Manager in communicating FHR plans to relevant stakeholders
  • Monthly and quarterly reporting to the FHR Manager
  • Track and present expenditures within Domestic Administrative movement portfolio and FHR pool (Medical and non-medical) to the FHR Manager for validation.
• ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS IMS (MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL POOLS)
  • Ensure all Travel and Administrative compliances for IMS are smoothly managed including their Hotel accommodation, pick-ups and their refunds for expenses they incurred as they prepare to take assignments and interact with the MSF offices. Including Vaccinations, police Clearances, Medical check-ups etc.
  • Organizing, scheduling and communicating briefings and debriefings of fieldworkers to FHRM
  • Communicate fieldworker arrival and departures to the MSF SnA office, using appropriate communication channels and tools
  • Conduct briefings of fieldworkers (M& NM), checking that the fieldworker has all the relevant project information, and has undergone necessary health checkups and vaccination updates,
  • Compile IP Sheets under the guidance of the DA
  • Follow up on any outstanding information and organizing health check-ups
  • Systematically confirm and communicate all field workers end of mission dates 1 month before returning the mission and scheduling debriefing with relevant units.
  • Maintain Up to date contact list of all field support staff across all OCs
  • Send at least one email communication to each fieldworker in the field during their mission, checking to find out how the assignment is unfolding, to report any challenges to the FHR Manager
  • Shares regular fieldworker availability lists with the FHR manager, stays in contact with out-of-mission fieldworkers to track their availability.
  • Updates and maintains accurate and complete fieldworker information on FHR HRIS (e.g.: Wedoo/HERO)
  • Present FHR information at information day
  • Available to travel to the field and/or operational centres/sections for short periods.
  • Regularly updates his/her knowledge of the different operational projects, through existing platforms and tools
  • Take on responsibilities of being Super-users of the HRIS as required etc.
  • Take on responsibilities to support the DA in transversal projects that the DA is taking on behalf of the department.
• IMS & LHS Event coordination and support
  • Coordinate FHR & HR department planning and execution (e.g. Pholas)
  • Keep strict records of ALL events scheduled, invoices and quotes.
  • Collect and store minutes of ALL events
  • Collect and store feedback from ALL events
  • Liaison with other administrative departments in the wider movement such as ICO and International Mobility Units.

Competencies

• Strong administrative and coordination skills with a solid understanding of Field Human Resources, staff mobility, and HR procedures in an international or humanitarian context.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in managing HR information systems, documentation and reporting, with strict adherence to confidentiality.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Adaptable, proactive, and solution-oriented, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and multicultural environment

Requirements

• Minimum of 2-3 years experience in Human Resources administration, preferably within an international NGO, humanitarian, or similarly complex organisational environment
• Minimum of 2 years’ hands-on experience in staff mobility administration, including visas, travel logistics, accommodation, insurance, and mission documentation. With preference of experience supporting Field Human Resources (FHR) functions, including administration for International Mobile Staff (IMS).
• At least 1-2 years’ experience working with HR information Systems (HRIS), including data management, reporting and system maintenance.
• Minimum of 1 years’ experience coordinating HR-related events and engaging with multiple internal and external stakeholders

Terms and conditions of employment

• Location: Johannesburg Office
• Contract type: Permanent
• Salary according to MSF Southern Africa Grid (R33723.45)
• Position level: 6
• 13th Cheque in November
• 10% addition pension contribution
• 100% Medical Aid contribution
• Transport allowance
• Cell phone allowance.

Closing Date for Applications: 11 February 2026

Starting Date: ASAP

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.

Each individual applying for MSF roles does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

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