HR Cell Manager (W/M) – Based in Nairobi

Médecins sans frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization (NGO) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases.

HR Cell Manager (W/M) – Based in Nairobi

Main Activities of the Job

Mission HR Responsibility – South Sudan, Kenya & Chad

• Hold direct responsibility for Cell-level HR management of South Sudan, Kenya, and Chad missions, working hands-on with each mission’s HRCO.

• Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with HRCOs across the three missions.

• Apply a directive-support approach: provide clear, practical, field-relevant HR guidance that adds direct value to mission operations rather than purely advisory input.

• Provide ongoing mentoring, guidance, and career development support to HRCOs and Deputy HRCOs in conjunction with the Cell HR Coordinator.

• Conduct regular check-ins with Deputy HRCOs and Administrative Managers in the field across the three missions.

• Support mission HR teams in developing and reviewing HR strategies, policies, and action plans tailored to each mission’s operational context.

Strategic Partnership with the Cell HR Coordinator

• Act as a strategic partner – not solely an implementing role – to the Cell HR Coordinator, contributing directly to Cell-level HR strategy.

• Lead or co-lead strategic topics including duty of care and the implementation of gender and diversity initiatives across Cell 6 missions.

• Serve as a filter for strategic issues: identify emerging strategic HR concerns arising from day-to-day mission conversations and engagement, and flag these proactively to the Cell HR Coordinator.

• Collaborate closely with the Cell HR Coordinator to design and implement strategic interventions tailored to specific mission scenarios.

• Contribute to Cell-wide reflections on HR policy, workforce planning, and operational HR priorities.

Field Coverage & Continuity

• Sometimes, cover for HRCOs in the field at times of absence (leave, vacancy gaps) to ensure HR leadership continuity in missions with no coverage gaps.

• Act as designated backup to the Cell HR Coordinator during leaves, field visits, or other absences.

• Represent the Cell HR team in internal and external meetings when the Cell HR Coordinator is unavailable.

Learning & Development Leadership

• Take the lead on all elements relating to Learning & Development (L&D) across Cell 6 missions.

• Support and supervise L&D Managers and L&D Supervisors/Specialists embedded within missions.

• Ensure mission-level L&D strategies are coherent, well-resourced, and aligned with Cell-wide capacity-building priorities.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning, capacity building, and career development within mission HR teams.

• Drive implementation of the Performance Management (BILAN) process across missions.

• Ensure proper onboarding and staff orientation procedures are in place across the three missions.

Operational HR Management & Field Support

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations including recruitment, contracts, disciplinary processes, and separation procedures across South Sudan, Kenya, and Chad.

• Ensure consistent, hands-on HR support to field projects and mission HR teams.

• Ensure compliance with HR policies, procedures, and national labor laws within the Cell’s mission perimeter.

International Mobile Staff (IMS) & Pool Management

• Oversee, in collaboration with pool managers, the matching of International Mobile Staff to field positions excluding Head of missions.

• Support the missions for placements of all international staff, including senior roles.