Opportunity Overview MSF WaCA is hiring a Head of Unit for Recruitment & Pool Management to lead its talent acquisition strategy from its headquarters in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This role reports directly to the HR Director and manages a team of recruiters and pool managers who source candidates for both international mobile staff deployed in the field and headquarters positions. The position is a fixed-term contract under Ivorian law, renewable, and the successful candidate should start as soon as possible. The person in this role will oversee the full recruitment lifecycle, from sourcing and selection through onboarding, plus manage talent pools to ensure MSF WaCA always has skilled people ready to deploy where they are needed. This includes career advising, professional development planning, and workforce forecasting. The Head of Unit will also design career development policies, run talent reviews, and collaborate with the Learning & Development team on individual development plans that balance organizational needs with personal aspirations. Mobility across all of WaCA's intervention zones is required. Médecins Sans Frontières was founded in 1971 and provides emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, and exclusion from health care. The organization employs tens of thousands of medical professionals, logistics staff, and administrators worldwide, guided by principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for its humanitarian work. MSF WaCA, created in 2019, is the first MSF headquarters based in Africa, established to make the movement more responsive and proactive in delivering medical coverage to affected populations across the continent. Abidjan is a major economic hub in West Africa with a growing international business community. The city has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, and French is the primary working language, though English is increasingly common in international organizations. The cost of living is moderate compared to European capitals, and the city offers a vibrant cultural scene, coastal areas, and a developing expatriate community. Working from Abidjan means being at the center of MSF's African operations, with direct access to the populations and partners the organization serves. # Responsibilities - Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment, pool management, and career management strategy aligned with MSF WaCA's operational priorities - Lead and manage the team of recruiters and pool managers to achieve organizational and departmental objectives - Monitor recruitment and workforce planning trends and best practices to keep WaCA competitive and innovative - Oversee sourcing, selecting, and onboarding candidates for both field (IMS) and headquarters positions - Ensure recruitment processes are efficient, inclusive, and compliant with MSF policies and standards - Develop creative sourcing strategies to attract high-calibre candidates, including those from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds - Maintain and enhance applicant tracking systems to ensure data integrity and accurate reporting - Ensure alignment between operational needs and pool capacity in terms of staffing levels and competencies - Oversee statistical analysis of talent pools to anticipate short- and long-term workforce needs - Collaborate with technical referents to develop and maintain talent pools that meet evolving field operation requirements - Facilitate integration of global workforce solutions, including international staff, mobile national staff, and headquarters staff - Provide coaching, performance management, and development plans to support team members' professional growth - Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture focused on innovation and solution-oriented approaches - Ensure continuous learning and development opportunities for the team aligned with MSF WaCA's mission and values - Provide backup support for the Pool, Mobility and Career Manager and the Talent Acquisition Manager - Design and implement career development policies to support retention and career progression of IMS and mobile staff - Ensure implementation of career management interviews for International Mobile Staff and mobile staff - Collaborate with the Learning & Development unit on individual development plans that balance organizational needs with personal aspirations - Oversee talent review processes and ensure alignment with MSF's learning and development programmes - Build strong relationships with MSF sections, regional hubs, and other partners to facilitate knowledge sharing and resource alignment - Serve as the primary HR focal point for recruitment and pool management matters - Represent MSF WaCA in international HR forums and working groups, contributing to global HR strategy development - Ensure all recruitment and mobility activities follow safeguarding principles, an environment free from abuse - Embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles within recruitment and mobility processes, promoting equitable representation and impartial treatment of candidates and colleagues # Requirements & Qualifications - Master's degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or a related field - Minimum of seven years of professional experience in recruitment, pool management, or talent acquisition - At least three years of leadership experience, including managing teams in international and multicultural environments - Proven experience in workforce planning, talent development, and diversity initiatives - Experience in the humanitarian or non-profit sector is highly desirable - Working proficiency in both English and French - Ability to adapt to the international humanitarian sector and new environments - Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to drive change, promote continuous improvement of the HR function, and deliver results - Experience managing multicultural teams - Strong analytical skills, with the ability to read, understand, and summarize complex documents - Agility and proficiency in the use of information technologies - High standards of ethics, social intelligence, and fairness - Strict commitment to maintaining confidentiality of personal and professional data, in accordance with internal policies and applicable regulations - Proficiency in MS Office suite, mainly MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - Proficiency in online communication and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and SharePoint - Familiarity with Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), such as Odoo, Ligo, ERP systems, and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) # How to Apply 1. Prepare your CV or resume and a cover letter. 2. Complete the application form, including answers to all additional questions marked as required. 3. Submit your application before the deadline of August 11, 2026, at 18:00 GMT. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.