INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES

Position:MSF International Director of Resources

Location: Any MSF Office*

Contract:3 Year mandate renewable once – Full time position

Deadline to apply: 20th January 2022

Starting date:March 2022

• 
  By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 23 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Based in Geneva, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF movement, and implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

Within MSF International, the International Office (IO) is the Secretariat of MSF International Board and is under the direct management of the Secretary General. MSF International also provides administrative support to the MSF Access Campaign (AC).

II. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The Director of Resources (DoR) reports to the International Secretary General (ISG) of MSF International and to the Executive Co-Directors of the Access Campaign (AC) and is a member of both IO and AC management teams.

The Director of Resources manages the Human Resources Manager, the Finance Manager, the Knowledge Management Team Leader, and co-manages the International Privacy Coordinator in respect of its function as Data Privacy Officer (DPO) for MSF International legal entity.

The Director of Resources manages as well the new position of MSF International Contracting Office (MSF ICO) Manager. The MSF ICO is the IO unit created in 2022 which will provide contracting and payroll services for internationally mobile staff that are recruited by the Operational Centres from countries where MSF does not have a Contracting Office.

MSF International teams are spread around the world in 30 distinct locations but with 28% of the staff based in Geneva. Over the years MSF International has been expanding its distributed nature and new positions can be recruited in any MSF offices. As the Director of Resources of an association registered in Switzerland it is expected that the DoR has a good knowledge of Swiss accounting gaps, taxes, privacy, and employment laws. The DoR is expected to regularly travel to Geneva - where most of the Resources team members are currently based - to provide on-site support and represent MSF International at local, cantonal and federal level, as needed.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The Director of Resources oversees the Finance, Human Resources and day-to-day administrative organisation of MSF International. They ensure appropriate support to all IO and AC staff members, team leads and management team members on all human resources and financial matters, as well as on knowledge management and data privacy.

Working closely with the International Secretary General, the Director of Resources oversees the day to day functioning of the IO and is responsible for the development and implementation of the MSF International strategic goals and objectives, and the priorities of the International Multiyear plan (IMP). The DoR provides additional managerial, analytical and leadership capacity to the ISG, particularly with the approval of budgets, internal policies and policy recommendations to the International Board.

Fostering a diverse, caring, inclusive and equitable workplace, the Director of Resources ensures effective implementation of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy for MSF International and improves the ways of working within MSF International and towards the rest of the MSF movement.

IV. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Advice the International Secretary General and other senior managers on policies and any other matters related to the areas under the DoR’s supervision.
• Contribute to the development of MSF International strategic goals and objectives (as expressed in the International Multi-Year Plan 2021 – 2024) as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Serve as the management liaison to the International Board (IB) and the Financial and Audit Standing committee (FASC); effectively communicate and present critical HR and Financial matters at select IB and FASC meetings.

b. Resources Management

Oversight of MSF International Human Resources

• Advise senior management on organisational set up and opportunities for development
• Promote responsible behaviour and reinforce systematic good management practices
• Increase understanding of the drivers of staff wellbeing to prevent psycho-social risks
• Ensure that frames are in place to foster equity, diversity and inclusion
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development.
• Represents the ISG before the Staff representative/Staff council

Oversight of MSF International Finances

• Oversee the annual and mid-year budget processes and monthly financial reporting in order to enable effective cost management and resource allocation decisions.
• Review and approve supplier agreements, consultancy contracts and invoice payments.
• Review and approve MSF International statutory accounts.
• Ensure that records to meet legal requirements in Switzerland are properly maintained.

Manage inter-office relation

Liaise with MSF sections where MSF International staff are hosted relating to office space, infrastructure services, and internal regulations to ensure compliance and harmonisation with best practices, to improve inter-office communication and efficiency, and to ensure inclusion of staff within their hosting office

c. Other responsibilities

• Ensure effective implementation of the EDI strategy for MSF International.
• Ensure that knowledge exchanges and access to curated information are facilitated, and communication and collaboration within the IO and the AC is promoted
• Ensure that MSF International as a legal entity protect personal data and roll-out policies and processes in accordance with GDPR and Swiss Data
• Protection Laws to foster a privacy mainstreaming culture, supporting human rights.
• Ensure that MSF International follows all applicable laws and regulations and ensures all regulatory filings and any other reporting requirements.
• Manage relationships with the different legal counsel and oversees all critical legal cases.
• Manage the full suite of institutional and corporate insurance coverage for MSF International.
• Review and approve MSF International policies
• Review and supervise internal control policies and procedures, identify and register risks and ensure that mitigation measures are discussed and incorporated in the respective departments annual plans.

Required

• Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles and challenges of MSF
• Strong team player with the interpersonal and communication skills to interact at all levels within MSF and succeed within a geographically distributed team
• Awareness of cultural differences and local contexts with regards to drivers of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Strong staff management skills including the ability to handle, and assist in the resolution of conflicts
• Experience in structural and organizational changes and change management skills
• Proficiency in financial accounting and reporting, including external statutory audit.
• Experience in Budgeting and forecasting
• Proven ability to design, implement, and monitor processes and controls
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential information
• Self-driven, positive, flexible and resilient with hands-on approach
• Strong computer literacy, including an excellent knowledge of Excel
• Excellent written and oral English

Desirable

• Knowledge of and/or previous experience with MSF or another international non-profit organisation
• Knowledge of the Swiss GAAP and Swiss VAT
• Recognised HR qualifications, knowledge of swiss social security and employment laws
• Familiarity with data protection, privacy and IT security
• Familiarity with knowledge and information management
• Good written and oral French

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.