Head of Learning & Development

médecins sans frontières suisse

Join MSF OCG as a Head of Learning & Development!

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).

The MSF movement is built around 5 operational centers supported by 24 sections and offices worldwide. MSF Operational Center Geneva (MSF OCG) is one of these centers.

OCG's Strategic Ambitions 2026–2031 set the direction for the organisation and require OCG to continuously develop and adapt the capabilities, leadership and ways of working needed to deliver its social mission in an evolving operational environment.

Within this context, the HR strategy and ongoing HR transformation aim to strengthen how OCG attracts, develops, supports and enables its global workforce. Learning & Development is a key contributor to this ambition, supporting the development of the knowledge, skills, competencies and behaviours required across the organisation.

L&D works in close partnership with Operations and other departments in programmes and HQ to understand current and emerging development needs and translate them into relevant learning and development approaches. It contributes to an inclusive culture of learning and continuous development, supporting staff to grow in their roles and enabling OCG to strengthen the capabilities required to deliver its social mission now and in the future.

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources and as a member of the HR Management Team, the Head of Learning & Development leads the OCG Learning & Development function and is responsible for defining, implementing and evolving the L&D strategy and multi-year programme in support of OCG's social mission.

The Head of L&D ensures that learning and development priorities are aligned with the OCG Strategic Ambitions, HR strategy and HR transformation, as well as with the needs and priorities expressed by Operations and other departments, at programme and HQ levels. The role contributes to developing the knowledge, skills, competencies and organisational capabilities required to deliver OCG's social mission and Strategic Ambitions, and to fostering a culture of learning and continuous development across the organisation.

The role oversees OCG-wide learning and development approaches and solutions, from the identification and analysis of needs through design and delivery to the evaluation of effectiveness and impact and continuous improvement.

The Head of L&D ensures that learning and development responds to evolving organisational and operational priorities and supports staff development and improved people management across OCG.

The Head of L&D leads the L&D team and is accountable for the effective management of the function's people and financial resources. The role works closely with L&D counterparts and relevant platforms across the MSF movement, contributing to collaboration, mutualisation and the development of shared approaches where relevant.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategy and HR Management Team

• As a member of the HR Management Team, contributes to the development and implementation of the HR strategy and HR transformation, bringing the learning, development and capability perspective.
• Defines and steers the L&D strategy and multi-year programme, translating organisational and operational priorities into clear L&D priorities and plans.
• Advises the HR Director, senior management and relevant stakeholders on learning, development, leadership and capability needs and priorities.

Learning and Development

• Ensures a coherent and inclusive OCG-wide approach to identifying individual and organisational learning and capability needs and translating them into relevant solutions.
• Leads OCG's approach to leadership and management development, including the development of the capabilities and behaviours expected of managers and leaders.
• Oversees the design, delivery and evaluation of learning and development approaches, programmes and solutions, ensuring their quality, relevance, accessibility and impact.
• Contributes, together with other HR functions and organisational stakeholders, to talent and professional development.
• Promotes a culture of learning and continuous development across OCG.

Leadership of the L&D Function

• Leads and develops the L&D team and adapts its organisation and ways of working to evolving needs and priorities.
• Manages the L&D budget and resources, ensuring their effective and responsible use.
• Ensures appropriate L&D processes, tools and management information are in place to support delivery, decision-making and continuous improvement.

MSF Movement and Partnerships

• Represents OCG in relevant MSF L&D platforms and contributes to collaboration, coordination and mutualisation of approaches, initiatives and resources across the Movement.
• Develops relevant internal and external partnerships and supports the development of L&D capacity closer to operational contexts.

Your profile

Education & Experience

• University degree in Human Resources, Learning & Development, Education or demonstrated equivalent experience
• Significant experience in Learning & Development or people development, preferably in a complex international and multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing teams and managing significant programmes and resources.
• Experience working with senior leaders and multiple stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• Humanitarian experience, preferably with MSF, is an asset.

Languages

• Fluent professional English and French.

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Strong strategic and organisational perspective, with the ability to translate organisational and operational priorities into learning and development priorities.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Learning & Development approaches and practices.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with an inclusive and collaborative management style.
• Ability to influence, advise and build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across different functions and contexts.
• Strong analytical, planning and organisational skills, with a focus on quality, results and impact.
• Ability to lead and work effectively in a changing, complex and multicultural environment.

Personal Abilities/Qualities

• Commitment to MSF's social mission, principles and values.
• Strong interpersonal, listening and communication skills.
• Collaborative, pragmatic and solution-oriented.
• Flexible and adaptable.

Terms of employment

• Full-time position 100% (40h/week)
• Open-ended contract
• Working place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Ideal start date: As Soon As Possible
• Gross annual salary (for 100%): from CHF 119'964.- to CHF 134'604.- (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 support available for eligible candidates.

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 October 4th, 2026.

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.

Branche: Soziale Dienste / Non-Profit

Funktion: Anderes

Stellenprozent: 80-100% / 100%

Anstellungsart: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)