Global Workforce Planning Lead

CONTEXT  

Médecins Sans Frontières’s mission is to alleviate suffering, promote health, and save lives in increasingly complex, unpredictable humanitarian scenarios. Our programs require strategic support and an agile surge response; to achieve these goals, our People and Workforce posture is becoming integrated, context adapted and future oriented.  

In 2025, the MSF Operational Center Brussels (OCB) resolved to move from an administrative HR approach to a more strategic People and Workforce model, strengthening the collaboration with the operations department. 

As of January 2026, the People and Operations Delivery (POD) model will be introduced: a structure built on clear interfaces with Operations, HR Officers, and back-office. It will bring key people-related expertise such as workforce planning, administration and compliance, duty of care, and emergency readiness closer to MSF OCB programs and projects realities. 

The model will continue to evolve throughout 2026 - 2031 to improve workforce planning, retention, learning, safeguarding, and overall operational support. 

As Global Workforce Planning Lead, you will lead the Staffing People and Operations Delivery to manage and ensure a data-driven workforce planning processes enabling Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) to anticipate, allocate, and develop its global workforce, in alignment with its Strategic Ambitions 2026–2031.  

In close cross-functional collaboration with the People & Workforce Departments, Operational Cells, and Country Programs, you will enable a coherent and future-oriented approach to global workforce planning and deployment, reporting directly to the People and Workforce Deputy Director for Operations.  

You will ensure the quality, coherence, and strategic use of workforce data across systems and departments, driving informed decision-making and accurate forecasting for 12,000+ FTEs employed in MSF OCB humanitarian programs and projects in 70+ countries.  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Management of the Staffing People and Operations Delivery team 

Influence Strategic Decisions 

• Produce dashboards and analytical reports to inform People and Workforce, Operations, and the internal governance bodies 

• Collaborate with the project management unit to inform strategic decisions, identify workforce gaps and scenario modelling 

• Maintain repositories and propose data-driven recommendations aligned with strategic staffing priorities, to provide a holistic picture of the OCB workforce 

• Support policy development and operational planning at People and Workforce/Operations Managers level 

Shape Staffing Models  

• Lead the development and integration of workforce planning models and scenarios for operational planning cycles to align staffing needs with operational realities and strategic goals 

• Analyse and integrate HR and Medical Operations data to anticipate and support staff rationalisation and optimization and proactive decision making 

Optimize Resource Allocation 

• Coordinate at intersectional level and cross-functional level within People and Workforce, Operations, Logistics, Medical, Finance, and Supply teams to ensure consistency in workforce analytics for alignment of planning assumptions with programs/projects and pool realities 

• Coordinate and guide the staffing POD team to ensure alignment and coherence in the staffing strategies adopted across MSF to reinforce shared approaches, consistency in decision-making, and collective accountability 

Enable Operational Ambitions 

• Develop and harmonize workforce indicators to contribute to organizational reporting 

• In Collaboration with HR data analysts, strengthen analytical capabilities across the department to support the development of data literacy and workforce planning methodologies 

• Document processes to promote learning and foster a culture of continuous learning, interoperability, and effective workforce planning 

REQUIREMENTS 

Education & Experience 

• University degree in Human Resources Management, Data Analytics, Statistics, International Relations, Humanitarian Management or similar or 8 years equivalent professional experience 

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in leading a team and cross-functional initiatives involving large scale human resources data in crisis/emergency settings, development or relief 

• Proven track record of data interpretation, HR analytics and monitoring tools (Excel, Power BI, Tableau or equivalent preferred) focusing on analytics and staffing within a large-scale international organization at both headquarters and program level 

• MSF Professional experience is an asset 

Competencies 

• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills with the capacity to collaborate effectively at cross-functional level 

• Strategic thinking and decision-making skills with a problem-solving attitude 

• Proactive and adaptable with strong learning agility 

• Strong communication and public speaking abilities 

• Ability to lead and develop a team in cross-cultural environment 

• Strong understanding of humanitarian programs, systems and HR Models 

Languages 

• Proficient level in English, written and spoken is mandatory 

• Good knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic written and spoken is an asset 

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: March 2026 

• Location:  Brussels (Belgium)

• Contract type: Open ended contract – Full time 

• Homeworking possible as per the MSF policy 

• Salary:  according to MSF-OCB salary grid  

• Meal vouchers – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs 

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment 

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments 

Deadline for applications: 29th of January 2026 

How to apply? 

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button 
➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position    
➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload (in PDF format)   

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

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

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