HR ADVISOR (E-DESK)

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, we are a worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.   

MSF coordinates operations through collaborations between global offices. The ‘MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam’ (OCA) is a partnership that is composed of the partners MSF-Canada, MSF-Germany, MSF-SARA, MSF-Sweden, MSF-Netherlands and MSF-United Kingdom. MSF-OCA has a team of more than 11,000 staff working in 115 emergency projects in about 31 countries.   

The office of MSF-Netherlands located in Amsterdam hosts more than 400 employees, offering direct support to MSF-OCA operations. Around 50 staff focus on recruitment, communication and fundraising in The Netherlands (MSF-Netherlands) and 350 staff are focused on supporting MSF-OCA operations.  

 People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees.   We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they work together.

With immediate effect, MSF-Netherlands is looking for an;

                                             HR Advisor to the Emergency Support Department (40 hrs)

                                                                   (Based in Amsterdam Office )
                                                               

The HRA E-Desk will collaborate closely with People and Culture(P&C) as well as E-Desk departments.

People & Culture Department:

At MSF Netherlands (OCA), the People & Culture department (+/- 85) is a human-centered function that actively supports MSF's primary work, delivering healthcare to all.  We focus on engagement, culture, and strategic impact, grounded in the belief that embracing the human factor is key to meaningful change. With a global workforce mindset, we prioritize trust and simplicity across our three Centers of Expertise: Culture & Change, People Experience, and Talent 

E-Desk

The Emergency Support Department (ESD) is committed to delivering the most effective emergency response for affected populations through implementing (new) emergency health programs and supporting emergency responses in existing programs. As a part of the OCA Operations Department, it works to ensure that OCA maintains its operational readiness and aims to guide organizational decisions to achieve the most impactful emergency response centering for the people we assist. The ESD consists of a headquarter-based Emergency Desk (8 permanent staff) and an Emergency Team for deployment in the field (+/- 20 positions), with a dedicated Core Operational Support Team of around 10 positions.

Position Objective:

As an HR Advisor to the ESD you play a central role in providing both advice and support to HRCo’s on managing its most valuable asset: its people to ensure emergency preparedness and response capacity, whilst at the same time providing a bridge to the P&C department by voicing short and midterm country program needs which have HR implications.

Main responsibilities:

Coach and mentor the HRCo’s on how to tailor general policies, strategies, procedures and guidelines to the local situation. You support with deliverables, and overcome issues in applying or using them in the field. You monitor the quality of the processes and results in the mission in HR and ensure the appropriate level is attained.

Ensure the quality of the P&C function in all ESD managed responses and work in close collaboration with P&C positions to the ESD such as the Personnel Advisor, L&D advisor, HRA Office and Total Reward advisor as well as HRAs in desks where the ESD is co-managing responses

As a member of the ESD core OST, provide advice on the HR set up and strategies for new interventions, in strategic discussions and control cycle processes.

Ensures HR related processes, policies, procedures and tools are fit for purpose emergency contexts and engage with relevant stakeholders to assess local labor laws and HR related policies/practices in countries where MSF OCA is newly established

Provide strategic input to the People and Culture department for ways of working that support and improve emergency staffing and people management

Analyze ESD specific people data together with HRA office, resulting in guidance and advice to HRCo’s and OST on best practices and areas of improvement

Be an active ambassador for emergency response in MSF/OCA and P&C strategies, representing both the ESD and the P&C department in relevant platforms as requested/needed

The HRA ESD is available to cover part of the HRCO tasks and responsibilities for new emergency responses in the start-up phase where regular structures are not (yet) in place 

Candidate profile:  

• A degree in HR Management, Higher vocational/ BSc/ MSc in HRM

• Five years of experience in managing and coaching remote teams of which part in emergency settings.

• In-depth knowledge of HR best practices together with working knowledge of HR systems and databases. 

• You have a real can-do mentality and you have excellent communication skills that enable you to disseminate complex information and adapt it to your target audience. 

• You are able to collaborate, convince others, drive for change and have excellent (cross-cultural) communication and negotiation skills. 

• Excellent stress-management: ability to multi-task, constantly (re)prioritize and work under high pressure.

• Willing to be available and work evenings, weekends and public holidays if the emergency nature of the job requires.

Language

• Essential: proficiency in English language

• Desirable: proficiency in an additional language (French, Arabic, or Spanish) is an asset.

Transversal competencies:

• Strategic thinking   

• Teamwork & Cooperation  

• Problem Analysis & Solving  

• Communication, both written and oral  

• Result driven  

• Integrity 

We offer 

• A challenging international position in a purpose driven organization.  

• A fixed-term, 12 months contract with renewal option. 

• Gross monthly salary (Level 16) €4,269 – €5,877, depending on experience. 

• 30 days annual leave (full-time) plus 8% holiday allowance. 

• 100% employer-paid pension contributions. 

• Commuting allowance; discounted office lunches. 

• Personal development budget and access to internal/external training. 

• An inclusive workplace with colleagues from around the globe. 

Information and Application 

For more information about the recruitment process of this role, you can contact Imad Aldin Alfadel (recruitment) at imad.al-fadel@Amman.msf.org

If you are interested in additional information, please contact Mirjam Nijhuis by email at mirjam.nijhuis@amsterdam.msf.org

Please upload a letter of motivation and Curriculum Vitae in English as one combined document.  

Only applications with motivation letter will be included in the process. The deadline for application 18 January 2026.