Head of People Services

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Join Our Dynamic Team as Head of People Services!

Are you passionate about optimising recruitment processes and driving project success? Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) UK is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of People Services to lead our Recruitment & Applicant Tracking System (ATS) implementation project and deliver quality customer-focused HR services.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Impactful Projects: Drive the implementation and introduction of a new ATS; improving recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Leadership & Innovation: Lead, inspire, and develop a talented team to achieve seamless and efficient HR operations.
• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure our HR services meet the needs of our diverse workforce.
• Strategic Influence: Provide valuable insights through data analysis and reporting to support decision-making at the highest levels.

Hours: 37.5 hours a week, Mon-Fri

Duration: Fixed Term Contract 12 months

Location: London Office Aldgate, at least two days a week (one of which is Wednesdays)

Salary: £67,505.20-£73,505.66 per annum

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Director of People, the Head of People Services is responsible for leading the delivery of a quality and customer focused core people service to MSF UK. The post holder leads on all operational aspects of the People department (with the exception of employee relations), including all recruitment, core people and payroll processes, administration, systems, data and reporting.

Key duties areas follows:

• Lead, motivate and develop the People Services team towards our goal of providing a seamless and customer focused people service.
• Encourage and develop the team s interaction and collaboration across MSF UK to support high standards of service delivery and continuous improvement, with a focus on recruitment as the priority, ensuring that a workforce plan is in place for recruitment activity.
• Project-manage the development and implementation of efficient, effective, customer focused end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes for MSF UK office and hosted contracts, including the introduction of the new ATS.
• Work with the Head of Employee Relations to update People Services policies and ensure people policy updates are embedded as documented procedures.
• Lead the production of people reporting statistics; analysing information and producing draft reports for the CoDir, Remuneration Committee and Board. Ensure that the information provided enables managers and the Board to make decisions.
• Lead the team to ensuretheefficientprovisionofpayandbenefitsadministrationtoensurepayrollaccuracy and compliance with legislation, and lead the implementation of the annual pay review and periodic salary benchmarking.
• Lead on external relationships and ensure contracts are in place that support the effective running of the People department. Responsible for the management, renewal and procurement of external supplier contracts.
• Ensure effective data security, DPA and FOI systems are in place and are monitored.
• Provideaskeletonservicefornon-employeese.g.contractors,secondmentsetc.
• Projects and continuous improvement initiatives for People Services or cross-functional, aligned to the people department plan.

Please download the full job description and person specification below for further details.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

1. MCIPD qualified (level 7) or an equivalent level of professional knowledge and experience gained through demonstrable significant experience working in People functions across recruitment, core people services and payroll.
2. Evidence of skills and experience in developing and implementing efficient Recruitment and core People systems and processes that are efficient, legally compliant, represent value for money, and meet customers needs.
3. Process improvement methodology training and/or significant experience creating new and updating people processes and procedures.
4. Evidence of delivering change and improvement using project management skills and techniques.
5. Proven experience of creating a high-performance culture, leading an effective People Services team and motivating, developing and performance managing individuals.
6. Demonstrable knowledge of best practice in People Services and relevant UK employment legislation.
7. The ability to use data from a wide range of sources to analyse key themes and the potential impact on an organisation.
8. Evidence of developing excellent working relationships at all levels of an organisation, instilling confidence and credibility when dealing with sensitive, challenging and difficult situations.
9. Evidence of connecting effectively with key stakeholders, manoeuvring through organisational dynamics and influencing organisational culture.
10. Demonstrable commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and their practical application and integration in the work environment.
11. Fluency in written and spoken English.
12. Commitment to the aims and values of Médecins Sans Frontières.
13. Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (please upload as one document) by the closing date.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Recruitment timetable:

• Closing date for applications: 11 July 2025, 12:00pm (GMT)
• First round interviews: Week commencing 21 July 2025
• Expected Start date: 1 October 2025

Right to work in the UK

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

We look forward to receiving your application!