Director of People and Culture

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization that delivers impartial medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in over 70 countries.

We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s human resources management and internal cultural goals.

Job Summary

The Director of People and Culture (DPC) is a critical senior leadership position reporting to the Executive Director of MSF USA. Serving as a thought leader and strategic partner to the senior management team, the DPC leads and creates initiatives and implements best practices to establish a compelling employee value proposition that supports the effective advancement of MSF USA.

Key Job Areas

The DPC will develop a new strategic vision for People and Culture and lead change management for two parallel human resources departments: one which is dedicated to US-contracted staff who take on humanitarian assignments around the world, and the other dedicated to 230 headquarter staff working in the US. The two HR departments, combined, currently have 43 staff focused on talent recruitment and career development, performance management, compensation and benefits, learning and development, people analytics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The DPC will also be a leader in developing and maintaining a culture of belonging at MSF USA.

This new position is mandated to undertake a consultative and participative effort to identify and address capacity gaps; to ensure adequate resources and expertise are dedicated to building an equitable and inclusive culture; and to design a structure that results in a cohesive and fully integrated team that effectively meets the needs of the US contribution to the MSF global workforce. This includes responsibility for reporting mechanisms and management of complaints involving MSF USA-contracted staff.

The DPC will ensure human resources support and consultation across departments on complex issues including recruitment, performance management, compensation, staff relations, and people development. They will ensure organizational compliance with federal and multi-state regulations and manage risk identified in partnership with the General Counsel. Finally, the DPC will ensure transparency and accountability in MSF USA’s human resources functions.

Key Competencies

The ideal candidate will have the ability to shape strategy at both departmental and organizational level in line with the MSF USA strategic plan. The candidate will foster a culture of belonging at MSF USA and champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices across all stages of the employee life cycle. The candidate will be a key strategic and implementation leader in HR policy and contribute to the broader organizational management as a member of the management team. The candidate will have the ability to creative a conducive environment for open dialogue and feedback and the ability to build and enhance trust with staff and stakeholders.

Required Experience

• Seasoned HR professional with at least 10 years of progressive HR experience, with 5 years in a senior leadership HR role or leading the HR function in an international organization.

• Demonstrated commitment to DEI and experience partnering in DEI strategy development.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity towards international humanitarian aid realities.

• Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF.

• Demonstrated record of accomplishment of effectively leading and implementing organizational change management efforts.

• Previous experience in building a strong, high performing, complex, and diverse teams.

• Proven experience in the use of HR technology, systems, and data to support organizational performance and functioning.

• Proven successful experience involving planning, analyzing, and negotiating along with financial skills and the business acumen necessary to support, expand and improve performance.

• Demonstrates interest in and commitment to global HR issues and progressive trends.

• Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral).

Desirable Qualifications

• Previous experience in an international humanitarian or non-profit organization.

• Formal training in Human Resources/Management/Business Administration/Organizational Behavior/Organizational Development, or equivalent professional experience.

• Professional HR certification from a reputable body such as SHRM, CIPD or HRCI.

• Specialized training in change management, employment law, compensation, organizational planning, organizational development, people analytics, organizational health and safety, preventive labor relations, and/or employee relations strongly preferred.

Travel and work environment

• Ability to travel extensively within the United States, to Europe, and to humanitarian operational contexts for several weeks at a time.

• Willing to occasionally support teams in MSF operational contexts to maintain a high level of insight about people management and staffing realities on the ground.

Please note that relocation assistance and visa sponsorship will be offered for this position.

No phone calls or emails please. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: Open until filled (applications assessed on a rolling basis)

MSF-USA/Doctors Without Borders is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We are constantly striving to make our organization anti-racist. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values. As an employee, you become part of that mission. We expect this same commitment from our staff.

Type

HQ

Pay Class & Contract Type

Regular FT Salaried Exempt

Compensation

Starting salary moderate 150's to moderate 170's (commensurate with experience)

Working Time (Hours Per Week)

35