JOB DESCRIPTION
MSF UK and Ireland
Application checklist
Please check you have included the following documents in
your application email to [email protected] by
9am on 9th September 2013:
CV

Letter of motivation

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Last updated: August 2013
Job Description
HR Administrator (Field)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical relief
organisation, dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at
times of conflict or disaster. In over 70 countries worldwide, MSF provides both lifesaving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make healthcare services
available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities.
MSF-UK is one of 23 offices and operational centres (OCs) in Europe, America, Asia
and Australasia, pooling funding, expertise and staff for field operations. There are
currently 6 departments within the UK office (fundraising, communications, finance,
programmes, medical (called the Manson Unit (MU), HR) and an office in Dublin.
MSF's aim is to provide impartial assistance, on the basis of need alone, regardless of
ethnic origin, gender, creed or political affiliation. To maintain its independence from
political interference, MSF relies on donations from individuals around the world for
at least 50% of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond to
the greatest needs as fast as possible.
As medical professionals, MSF field staff have a duty to try and protect their patients
from violence and abuse. MSF often chooses to speak out about gross violations of
humanitarian law against civilians in conflict, refugees, unaccompanied children and
other vulnerable groups, in an attempt to bring abuse to world attention.
The mandate of the UK section has traditionally been to provide technical, human
resources, financial and communications support to field operations. That support
has now evolved towards taking direct, medical and operational responsibility for
specific project development. MSF-UK’s income for the year ending 31 Dec 2010 was
in excess of 25 million, over 80% of which was spent directly on MSF’s overseas field
programmes. The UK office currently has around 50 full time staff working in the
London office and placed over 200 medical & non-medical staff to work in projects in
the field during 2010.
The staff in the UK office are dynamic, enthusiastic,
committed to the aims of MSF and not afraid of “mucking-in” when necessary.
Human Resources Department
The HR Function is responsible for attracting, selecting, developing and retaining
high-quality medical and non-medical volunteers for MSF operations and MSF UK &
Ireland office staff.
The department provides HRM support to both the MSF UK field staff and MSF UK
and Ireland staff. It is actively involved in the international MSF HRM forum to
promote best practice in the management and support of field staff in general and to
provide more equal opportunities for UK field workers in particular. The department
plays a pivotal role in building up and maintaining relationships with the UK medical
community and networking with medical institutions.
In addition the department is part of a larger ‘virtual HR department’ for Operational
Centre Amsterdam (OCA) which comprises MSF UK, MSF Germany and MSF Holland.
Together the department works in partnership on all aspects of field related HRM.
Over the next 12 months, the HR Function will play a key role in the implementation
of a number of key global projects into MSF UK, in particular the introdution of the
Last updated: August 2013
International Remuneration Project II (IRP II). This key focus of this project is to
review and develop the remuneration and benefits policies across the movement.
More specifically, the introduction of IRP II into MSF UK will require the
implementation of the proposed salary and function grids taking into account any
necessary changes to contracts of employment, administrative procedures and
current local practice.
Last updated: August 2013
HR Administrator (Field)
Reports to:
Manager HR Services
Job Purpose:

To provide administrative support to the HR department, with particular
dedication to the Human Resources Officers (HROs), in order to provide a highquality HR service to field staff
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To organise and maintain an effective HR information system
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To support the recruitment, placement and retention of field staff on MSF field
projects
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Support the implementation of key global projects with a specific focus on IRP II
into MSF UK
Key responsibilities:
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Supports the HR team with the development and implementation of the
recruitment strategy, with particular attention for social media
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Maintains the HR pages of the website, both for applicants and staff, ensuring
they are up-to-date and correct
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Handles all public enquiries regarding overseas work and queries from potential
candidates
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Provides support to the HROs for the selection process, including ensuring
completeness, (potentially) first screening, obtaining references and DSB checks
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Assists the Manager HR Services with the induction process for new staff
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Makes all necessary practical arrangements for departing field staff, including
flights, visas and healthcare
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Handles the contract administration (including extensions and returns) for field
staff, ensuring they are registered for pension, insurance and payroll
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Liaises with OCs to organise field staff departures, contract extensions and the
return of field staff
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Prepares information packages and arranges briefings and debriefings for field
staff, including appointments with other departments where appropriate
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Maintains and updates the field HR database, the electronic and hard copy filing
systems and other relevant information systems
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Collates and disseminates key HR information and provides regular and ad-hoc
reports to relevant people (HROs, Head of HR, finance, etc)

Develops and maintains good working relationships with relevant service
providers in order to ensure the best possible service provision
Last updated: August 2013

Supports the HROs with employee relations casework, such as handling
correspondence, organising and assisting with meetings
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Works closely together with and supports the HR Administrator (Office) when
required, ensuring a smooth and effective HR service provision
Essential skills and behaviours:

Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent
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Experience of maintaining effective administrative systems and procedures
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Sound understanding of the role of Human Resources
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Experience in working with databases, including the production of reports
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Accuracy and good attention to detail
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Proven interpersonal, team working and communication skills
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Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision
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Good time management skills combined with strong organisational skills and the
ability to juggle a wide range of tasks
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Strong problem-solving skills and a service-oriented attitude
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Ability to work in a fast-paced, unpredictable and demanding environment
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Fluency in written and spoken English
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Commitment to aims and values to Médecins Sans Frontières
Desirable skills and behaviours:

HR qualification (obtained, working towards or an interest in obtaining)

Understanding of basic employment legislation

Knowledge of French or Spanish
Last updated: August 2013
This is a full-time, fixed term position for 8 months’, and the requirement is to work
40 hours a week. The salary for this post will be £23,143 including London Weighting
Current Benefits at MSF UK and Ireland:
SALARIES
MSF UK & Ireland pays the salaries into the bank account on the 21st of each month.
FLEXITIME SCHEME
MSF UK & Ireland operates flexi time. The daily requirement for full time staff is to
work 8 hours plus half an hour for lunch with core hours between 9.30am-5.00pm
and flexi time periods between 8.30am – 9.30am and 5.00pm-6.00pm.
ANNUAL LEAVE
The MSF UK & Ireland holiday (annual leave) year runs from 1st January to 31 st
December. Annual entitlement for full-time staff is 28 days per year in addition to UK
bank holidays (pro rata for part-time)
SICK LEAVE
On completion of the probationary period, employees of MSF UK & Ireland receive
additional benefits though our Group Income Protection Scheme and Group Life
Scheme.
PENSION PLAN
On completion of the probationary period employees of MSF UK & Ireland can join
the Group personal Pension Plan. Members of the scheme contribute between 3%
and 5% of their salary. Contributions are deducted from salaries. MSF contributes
3% (for those paying 3 or 4 % of their salary) and 10% for those paying 5%.
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
MSF UK & Ireland has an annual performance review process in place during which
individual development needs are discussed and training needs identified.
HOW TO APPLY – THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Timetable:


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Closing date for applications: 9am on 9th September 2013
Interviews: 12th and 13th September 2013
Start date: ASAP
To Apply
If you are interested in this position please send your CV and a letter of
motivation explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person
specification to:
Last updated: August 2013
Beverly Gurevitz
Human Resources Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Last updated: August 2013
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) UK is committed to the principle of equal
opportunity in employment. MSF UK/Ireland values the diversity of its workforce and
is firmly committed to creating a culture of dignity and respect at work that values
the rights of every individual.
We ask you to complete this form to assist us in monitoring who is applying for
employment with us, our adherence to equal opportunities best practice and our
progress towards identifying any barriers to diversity among our workforce.
This form will be separated from your application on receipt, and will not be
seen by the interview panel or used in any way for the purposes of selection.
If you are subsequently employed by MSF UK/Ireland it may be retained upon your
personal file. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence, and in
accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
SECTION A: AGE
Please tick the age group you belong to
 16 – 21
 61 – 64
 22 – 30
 65 +
 31 – 40
 41 – 50
 51 – 60
 I would prefer not to say
SECTION B: GENDER
What is your gender?
 Male
 Female
 I would prefer not to say
SECTION C: ETHNIC ORIGIN
What is your ethnic group? Choose ONE section from 1 to 5, and then tick the
appropriate box to indicate your cultural background.
1. White
 British
 Irish
 Any other White background (please specify)
2. Mixed
 White and Black Caribbean  White and Black African  White and Asian
 Any other Mixed background (please specify)
3. Asian or Asian British
 Indian
 Pakistani  Bangladeshi
 Any other Asian background (please specify)
4. Black or Black British
 Caribbean African
 Any other Black background (please specify)
5. Chinese or other ethnic group
 Chinese
Any other (please specify)
 I would prefer not to say
Last updated: August 2013
SECTION D: DISABILITY
The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment which
has substantial and long term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal
day-to-day activities’. With this definition in mind, do you consider yourself to be
disabled?
 Yes
 No
 I would prefer not to say
If yes, please provide a brief summary of your disability if you wish to.
SECTION E: RELIGION AND BELIEF
Please indicate the term which best describes your religion/belief.
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Christian
Buddhist
Hindu
Jewish
Muslim
Sikh
Other (please specify)
No religion or belief
I would prefer not to say
SECTION F: SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Please indicate the term which best describes your sexual orientation.
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Bisexual
Gay man
Gay woman / lesbian
Heterosexual
I would prefer not to say
SECTION G: ADVERTISING
Where did you hear about this opportunity to work for MSF?

MSF UK/Ireland Association

MSF UK/Ireland website

Agency (please specify)
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Other website (please specify)
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Newspaper (please specify)
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Magazine (please specify)
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Conference / Event (please specify)

Word of mouth
Last updated: August 2013
Last updated: August 2013