Global Compensation & Benefits Manager

Join MSF OCG as a Global Compensation & Benefits Manager!

We are looking for passionate candidates ready to contribute to our humanitarian mission.

Below, you will find the job details and the qualifications we are looking for.

Inclusivity and Diversity at MSF

Do your qualifications and experience not exactly match all requirements of the job?

At MSF OCG, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification.

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.

Context & mission

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).

This position, Head of Compensation, Benefits & Policies (OCG), is a strategic leadership role within the HR department. The incumbent is responsible for establishing and managing OCG’s Compensation, Benefits, and Policies Unit, ensuring global alignment while adapting to local contexts. The role involves developing and overseeing the organisation’s compensation strategy, advising senior management on global rewards decisions, and representing OCG on international HR platforms.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Scope of Responsibility

• The incumbent is responsible for the overall design, implementation, and management of the Compensation, Benefits, and Policies Unit within OCG.
• Leadership and supervision of a team of advisors, ensuring they are trained and aligned with organisational priorities in C&B.
• Ensure global consistency in C&B policies, aligning them with OCG’s operational, organisational, and diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
• Responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of global policies and making recommendations for improvements.

Influence

• The position holds significant influence, managing a team, and working closely with the HR Director and senior management to make critical decisions on international C&B initiatives.
• Represents OCG in international platforms and working groups, contributing to the international discussion on MSF’s global rewards strategy.

Autonomy

• The role requires significant autonomy in setting up processes and frameworks for C&B within OCG, as well as in ensuring the team is empowered to effectively manage the unit’s operations.
• The incumbent is expected to make decisions related to policy development, compensation design, and risk management independently.

Budget Responsibility

• Manages financial and human resources for the Compensation, Benefits, and Policies Unit, ensuring efficient use and alignment with OCG’s broader HR strategy.

Problem Solving /Complexity of Tasks

• The role involves developing and refining OCG’s global rewards strategy, which needs to account for both global and local challenges.
• Requires the ability to anticipate and analyze the impact of changes in reward systems and develop strategies to mitigate risks such as inflation or economic crises.
• Problem-solving involves navigating cultural, legal, and economic differences across various countries of operations and HQ entities while ensuring alignment with global HR policies.
• The position requires in-depth analysis of compensation and benefits, advising senior management, and presenting solutions that respect both global consistency and local adaptability.

Decision-Making Impact

• High: The decisions made in this role will affect the overall HR strategy, compensation structures, and policy frameworks at an organizational level, ensuring alignment with MSF’s mission and strategic goals.
• Collaboration with HR teams globally and in the field, ensuring policies are implemented correctly and in compliance with local legal regulations.
• Strong influence on the alignment and sustainability of the organisation’s compensation system.

Your profile

Education

• Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or comparable experience. The position requires expertise in HR management, including substantial knowledge of salary grids, remuneration systems, compensation and benefits (C&B) frameworks, and related HR policies.

Experience

• 3 to 5 years of experience in HR management, with specific expertise in C&B systems and tools.
• Solid international C&B experience, in settings similar to MSF’s field operations.
• Knowledge and experience in managing policies and HR processes in both HQ and field environments is an added benefit

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of MSF Switzerland. Fluency in both English and French is required for this position (oral and written).

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Strong strategic vision and analytical thinking abilities.
• Expertise in C&B policies, regulatory frameworks, and tools for international HR operations.
• Knowledge of MSF Field and HQ HR tools or HR software is highly desirable.

Knowledge

• Know-How:
  • High (requires a broad set of technical skills, substantial understanding of HR management, and international experience in C&B)
• Problem Solving:
  • High (responsible for navigating complex, multi-dimensional challenges and providing strategic solutions across various regions)
• Accountability:
  • High (leadership, strategic influence, and autonomy in managing critical HR functions)

Terms of employment

• Full-time position 100% (40h/week)
• Open-ended contract
• Working place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Ideal start date: Mid-May 2025
• Gross annual salary (for 100%): from CHF 110’652.- to CHF 126’228.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)
• Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
• Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member.
• Relocation package if moving from a different country to Switzerland.

How to apply

Candidates are invited to submit their application exclusively through our recruitment platform, following these guidelines:

• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• Documents must be submitted in either English or French.

The application deadline is April 13th, 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier if we receive a sufficient number of quality applications.

APPLY

All applications will be treated confidentially.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please note that we do not wish to use the services of recruitment or placement agencies.