Head of Resources – APH Structure

Location: Any MSF Office* with frequent travels

Duration: 2 years with possible extension*

Reporting to: APH Structure Executive director

Deadline to apply: 18 February 2024

Start date: 1st of May 2024

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application. If a contract extension was offered, the post-holder will be required to relocate to one of the APH Structure Regional hub.

Médecins Sans Frontières is searching for a Head of Resources for a soon-to-be-born structure dedicated to improving access to products of healthcare. The successful candidate will decisively contribute to the final steps of the set-up of this structure and develop excellent financial and human resources and internal information management practices across multiple offices located in different regions of the world.

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 24 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.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

Access to Products for Healthcare (APH) refers to the accessibility, availability, affordability, appropriateness and quality of products for health care for the populations MSF assists and their communities.

Access to Products for Healthcare (APH) is critical to MSF’s Social Mission. MSF has been engaged in a wide variety of ways to improve APH in the past decades. In 2023, MSF’s International General Assembly unanimously voted a Vision that is anchoring addressing Access to Products Healthcare as being integral to its Social Mission.

Aligned to this Vision, and building on its successes in the past 20 years, MSF is undertaking a step change in how it organising its work to improve APH to realise its increasing ambitions. The MSF International Board approved the set-up of a new organisational model for MSF’s APH work , that includes the set-up of a new internal structure that will replace MSF’s current APH structure (the Access Campaign).

The new structure is expected to gradually reach up to 50 positions, including Management Team, and according to the set ambitions. It will be distributed geographically over 3 – 5 regional hubs (still to be identified, according to relevance). With the following mandate:

• Gather, and advise the MSF Movement on the Common Priorities for APH
• Provide or source support on APH to all entities that request it
• Design and implement APH Initiatives to respond to the Common Priorities of the Movement
• Maintain an overview and report on APH Initiatives Movement-wide on an annual basis
• Survey the external APH Landscape

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The Head of Resources will report to the APH Structure Executive Director, and in absentia, to the committee overseeing the change to MSF’s new organisational model on APH, the “OMC”. This position will closely collaborate with the MSF entities that will legally host the APH structure, including MSF International, to ensure coherence, alignment and mutualization of resources.

IV. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To lead the development, and ensure the implementation of, all required finance, human resources, contractual and legal policies, and internal communication for the APH Structure, within the legal and statutory frame of the respective MSF hosting entities.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of the finalisation of the set-up of the APH Structure (2024-2025), The Head of Resources:

• Plans and oversee the recruitment of the APH Structure staff
• Contribute to other aspects of the HR transition as directed
• Oversees the budgeting of the APH Structure Strategic Plan
• Identifies, develops, and ensures the consistent implementation policies and guidelines for the planning and management of human and financial resources across the APH Structure, this includes:

o Develops and maintains internal APH Structure scheme of delegation, planning and administrative policies and processes across the APH Structure and within its departments.

o Develops budget planning and monitoring consolidation process for the APH Structure

o In consultation with the Management Team, develop an internal communication framework for the APH Structure and from the APH Structure to the rest of the MSF movement.

o Develops a legal support framework for the APH Structure

o Develops hosting agreements for the APH Structure Regional Hubs with relevant MSF hosting entities, identifying clear roles and responsibilities and compliance requirements between hosting entities and the APH Structure policies.

• Ensures that all APH Structure policies, processes and practices are consistent, aligned and coordinated with the respective policy and legal frameworks of the MSF entities that host the different component of the APH Structure

In terms of on-going responsibilities, the Head of Resources:

Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Is an active member of the APH Structure Management Team, advising the Executive Director and other members on policies and risks related to finance, human resources, contractual and legal policies, and internal communication.
• Contributes to the development, review, and oversight of the APH Structure Strategic Plan.

Serves as the primary management liaison to the APH Structure Executive Board and MSF International Resources department for any contractual, legal, financial, or human resources matter.

Oversight of APH Structure Human resources

• Advises senior management on organisational set up and opportunities for development
• Ensures the APH structure’s responsibilities regarding duty of care are fulfilled
• Promotes across the APH Structure a culture of good management practices, high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
• Promotes responsible behaviour and the fostering of equity, diversity and inclusion across the APH Structure

Oversight of APH Structure financial resources

• Within the frame of MSF International Budget processes, oversees the planning, consolidation and implementation of annual and mid-year budgeting processes and regular internal financial reporting.
• Within the frame of MSF International contractual policies, review and approve relevant contractual agreements as per scheme of delegation.

Inter-office and intra APH Structure relation

• Ensures information sharing across APH Structure Regional Hubs and departments foster effective work and a strong sense of togetherness at the service of MSF’s Social Mission
• Ensures the MSF movement is provided with regular information on the APH Structure so as to foster optimal interactions
• Reviews changes to and approve Regional Hubs and other staff hosting agreements with other MSF entities
• Advises and supports the Head of Regional Hubs with the implementation of hosting agreement including to pre-empt or promptly address any potential conflict or misunderstanding

Other responsibilities

• Ensures that the APH Structure protects personal data and roll-out policies and processes in accordance with GDPR and other applicable Data Protection Laws.
• Ensures that the APH Structure follows all applicable laws and regulations, external and internal to MSF, and ensures the upholding of its responsibilities related to regulatory filings and any other reporting requirements to MSF hosting entities.
• Manages relationships with the different legal counsel and oversees all critical legal cases.
• Reviews and supervises internal control policies and procedures, identify and register risks and ensure that mitigation measures are discussed and incorporated in the respective departments annual plans.

Job requirements

• Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles and challenges of MSF
• Experience overseeing a resources or support department in an international organisation
• Self-driven, positive, flexible and resilient with hands-on approach
• Experience in leading or playing a critical role in the set-up of a new organisation, or in overseeing a significant structural change in an organisation
• 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
• Significant experience in budgeting and forecasting
• Solid understanding of human resourcing policies and good practice requirements
• Proven ability to design, implement, and monitor processes and controls
• Knowledge of and experience working within the MSF movement architecture an asset
• Excellent people and organisational management skills
• Languages: English fluent, Arabic, French or Spanish a plus
• A three years commitment (until end of 2026)
• The ability to travel extensively

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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