Background

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. Operating in over 71 countries, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make basic healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities. MSF coordinates the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance operating with own vessel.

Scope and objectives of the position

Is responsible for the implementation of Human Resources policies in the project and the correct Administrative Management of all staff working in the project (National, International, Regional, etc).

Accountabilities

In SAR project the team is composed of 10 people assigned to the rescue vessel (with periods on shore) and people based on shore. Six guesthouses for staff are rented.

HR Manager will be in charge of:

  • Recruitment: posting vacancies, screening, shortlisting and interviewing Local Hired Staff up to level 9 IRFFG;
  • Follow-up of administrative management for project staff, in coordination with PAM and HrCo by tracking absences, residual leaves, evaluations;
  • Ensuring proper briefing and debriefings for all staff at project level;
  • Management of accommodations and movements for all the staff (visa, travels, perdiem, port related processes, etc.); ·
  • Main focal point for all stakeholders and contracted service providers, responsible for managing and following up in collaboration with PC and HrCo;
  • In coordination with PC, s/he will support the preparation of the vessel for rotations according to needs (providing food, supporting in movements, etc.);
  • Ensure the proper management of electronic and physical project-level archive for all the documents related to staff, movements and contracts;
  • Perform any other HR duties that may arrive during the assignments and required by the line manager/technical referents.

Requirements

Education
  • Desirable: degree in management (business, HR) or administration

Experience
  • Desirable: MSF experience
  • Desirable: 2 years in NGOs with similar job

Languages
  • Essential: Fluent written and spoken English (C1)
  • Essential: Italian (C1)

Knowledge
  • Knowledge of Italian labour law is a strong asset.
  • Essential MSOffice (excel, word, powerpoint)
  • Desirable: HR and Financial software

Competencies
  • Teamwork and Cooperation L3
  • Results & Quality Cooepration L3
  • Flexibility L3
  • Confidentiality L4
  • Administrative Management L3

Conditions

Contract: Fixed term contract 01/05/2026 – 30/04/2027 (12 months), full-time. Level II of Italian CCNL Commercio Terziario Distribuzione e Servizi.

Candidates should hold a work permit to work in Italy.

Gross Annual Salary: euro 35.420 – 38.248 depending on MSF experience of the candidate

Location: based in Licata (Sicily)

Starting Date: 01/05/2026

Application procedure: 

To apply for this role, please submit your application to sar-jobs@oca.msf.org 

Subject: HR Manager_Your Surname

Including the following:

  • CV (in English)
  • motivation letter (in English)
  • Availability
  • 2 contacts for references

The application deadline is 8 March 2026

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

MSF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. We expect this same commitment from our staff.