Career Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare.
As a partner section, MSF Italy is engaged in saving lives and alleviating suffering through fundraising; communication and advocacy, recruitment and deployment of field workers; as well as running operations in Italy and supporting international operations through expertise and other kinds of direct support.

The Career Manager serves as the focal point for the professional development of humanitarian workers (International Mobile Staff – IMS), providing targeted support in career planning, assignment matching, and the management of critical situations. This role aims to ensure the availability of a qualified and motivated workforce, closely aligned with MSF’s operational needs.
Through proactive and personalized support, the Career Manager helps strengthen staff retention by increasing redeployment and preserving key competencies, while also promoting staff well-being and continuity of field operations.

1) Management and Development of Assigned International Mobile Staff Pools:
• Analyze and interpret data related to the assigned staff pool in order to anticipate operational needs and guide matching decisions, in line with the strategic vision of the Operational Centers;
• Work closely with recruiters, clearly and persuasively communicating competency and profile requirements, and negotiating priorities and timelines to ensure talent availability when needed. The Career Manager must be able to build relationships of trust and coordinate effectively to align the recruitment process with operational urgencies.

2) Career Development of International Mobile Staff:
• Plan and conduct development interviews with field workers to clarify ambitions, professional goals, and areas for improvement;
• Design and monitor tailored individual development plans, integrating internal and external training opportunities. Communicate clearly and persuasively, providing ongoing coaching and feedback before, during, and after assignments to foster professional growth, strengthen engagement, and ensure retention;
• Support IMS beyond career development by offering continuous guidance in navigating the complex functioning of an international organization such as MSF. This includes addressing questions, facilitating understanding of processes and structures, and strengthening motivation. Such support helps build trust, reduce uncertainty, and promote effective integration of IMS into the system, thereby improving operational continuity and quality.

3) Management of Matching and Mobility Processes:
• Facilitate the matching process between candidates and humanitarian assignments, ensuring alignment between competencies, availability, and operational needs;
• Regularly update availability data and staff profiles in the HR system;
• Ensure comprehensive briefings and debriefings for each mission, in collaboration with HR and operational counterparts;
• Actively seek the most suitable position for each IMS, negotiating solutions and building strong relationships with Pool Managers and other stakeholders (by operational center and pool), ensuring a collaborative and operations-oriented approach;
• Establish and maintain strong, consistent, and collaborative relationships with multiple stakeholders, as this capability is essential to achieving effective and timely outcomes in matching and mobility.

4) Management and Support of International Mobile Staff in Critical Situations:
• Serve as a key point of reference and trusted person for IMS, supporting them not only in their career development but also throughout their life cycle within MSF, by providing continuous guidance and support;
• Manage complex situations (e.g. performance, conduct, well-being) in close collaboration with HR and operational managers, leveraging in-depth knowledge of IMS and field dynamics to identify effective and timely solutions;
• Act as a facilitator and mediator, ensuring active listening, confidentiality, and strong negotiation skills to safeguard staff well-being and operational continuity.

Essential requirements:
• University degree relevant to the position (e.g. humanities, social sciences, or economics).
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in human resources management, career development, or talent management, preferably in international contexts.
• Fluent Italian, English at C1 level, and one of the following languages at B1 level: French, Spanish, or Arabic.

Behavioural skills/competencies:
• Excellent interpersonal and active listening skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders;
• Coaching skills and experience in leading development conversations, fostering professional growth and engagement;
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, enabling the interpretation of data, anticipation of needs, and translation into concrete actions;
• Ability to address complex problems with a pragmatic and collaborative approach;
• Strategic mindset and persuasive communication skills, to influence decision-making and align operational priorities;
• Assertive negotiation skills and results orientation, to ensure effective matching and availability of required profiles.

Added value/ assets:
• Field experience with NGOs.
• Experience in Learning & Development (L&D).
• Familiarity with HR systems and international mobility processes.
• Willingness to travel abroad and work in the field for several consecutive weeks, as required.

Positions details:

Contract: fixed-term contract of 12 months with potential extension . Level II of Italian CCNL of Commerce.
Gross Annual Salary: min 33.160,96€ - max 45.309,32€. Salary will be commensurate on the experience of the selected candidate.
Expected start date: april 2026.
Location: Hybrid. MSF Italy Rome/Milan office, and from home.