Japan: Human Resources Director

General background and Purpose of the position

Médecins sans Frontières Japan is the Japanese section of the international humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) which provides medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, and disasters or excluded from health care, in over 70 countries.

MSF Japan contributes to MSF’s global operations by recruiting personnel for field deployment, raising public awareness of and advocacy on humanitarian issues, support specific operation related projects and fundraising.

MSF Japan currently employs 70 staff members and seconded 170 staff to MSF projects worldwide in 2017.

The Human Resources Department is responsible for ensuring effective and compliant: recruitment, reward, personal development of employees as well as facilitation of employee relations and performance management of MSF Japan office staff, as well as the deployment and support to Japan recruited field staff.

Requirements of the position

Based in Japan with occasional international travel (estimated travel 10-15%).

Objectives

Under the direct supervision of the General Director, and in alignment with MSF Japan Strategic Plan, the Human Resources Director designs and leads the implementation of the strategy for the HR Department.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Human Resources Director actively engages in the strategic orientations and policy/decision making in MSF Japan and contributes to the overall management and development of MSF Japan.

Within the MSF movement the Human Resources Director represents MSF Japan on international platforms, actively contributing to the design and execution of relevant MSF’s movement overall global HR strategies and initiatives.

Main responsibilities

General

As a member of MSF Japan leadership team, the Human Resources Director:

• Represents MSF Japan as an active section supporting and shaping movement-wide support services related initiatives

• Contributes to shaping the strategic direction of MSF Japan, including participate in developing and carrying out organization wide goals and objectives, formulating policies, and in decision making with an organization wide impact

• Directly owns the mitigation and management of some key risks for the organization

• Exemplifies by his/her actions and conduct, the spirit of the principles and the mission of MSF

• Represents MSF externally to further its objectives as and when required

• Is accountable for delivering relevant strategic objectives on time and on budget

Direction of Human Resources Department

• Develops HR objectives, strategies and plans in alignment with MSF Japan's vision and Strategic Plan

• Oversees the full spectrum of human resources functional areas for MSF Japan Office, including office staff health and safety, manpower planning, talent recruitment, compensation and benefits, policies formulation & implementation, performance management and learning and development, including the design of policies related to said functions.

• Ensures implementation of the strategic and annual plans for the recruitment, placement and retention of Japanese field workers to meet HR operational needs.

• Is accountable for the quality of recruitment and placement activities, including consistency with movement policies and standards

• Ensures the development and implementation of training programs responding to specific MSF Japan needs

• Leads the design, and review, and oversees the execution of the budget of the HR department

• Ensures effective management of general administration

• Assesses team resources and potentials and identifies HR needs to sustain the development of the department

• Sets clear attainable objectives for staff, evaluates employee job performance accordingly, in accordance with established MSF procedures, and collaborates with staff to establish appropriate development paths

  Movement wide initiatives and relationship with Operational Centres (OCs) and other sections

• Contributes and participates to the design and implementation of HR initiatives, strategies and policies as per Operational Centres partnerships agreements and practices and in the International Human Resources Directors platform

• Ensures the execution of specific projects formally delegated by Operational Centre partnerships or by the movement (e.g. International End of Mission Survey project)

• Actively participates to relevant MSF regional, Operational Centres and international HR platform

Others

• Member of Crisis Management Team (CMT) and leads on CMT related issues (preparedness, training, follow up of action points)

Qualifications and requirements

• Essential

  • Minimum 10 years of directly relevant working experience of which at least 4 years’ HR professional experience in a senior management/leadership and strategic development role, preferably in an international NGO

  • University degree, preferably in Human Resources Management

  • Minimum 2 years field experience with MSF or equivalent global humanitarian organisation

  • Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a team

• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing strategic orientations, budgeting and planning

• Excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesise and effectively present information

• Proven experience in conflicts resolution

• Time management and organization skills

• Stress management ability

• Cross cultural awareness and flexibility

• Fluent written and spoken English

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

• Ability to travel regularly

• Desirable

  • Knowledge of Japanese culture or work experience in Japanese environment

  • Japanese language skills or willingness to learn Japanese language

  • HR management experience in other MSF office or an international NGO similar to MSF

  • French language skills

If you are interested in this position, please send your motivation letter and CV in English to:

hqhr-recruitment@tokyo.msf.org