About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
The Human Resource Department in CAR is responsible for providing effective national staff HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps CAR. This includes but is not limited to: Recruitment, talent acquisition & development; employee engagement coordination; country wide training & learning management; compensation & benefits administration; country wide performance management oversight; disciplinary & grievance handling; staff data management; staff disengagement management and 3rd party service provision management (HMO, Group Life, etc)
General Position Summary
The Human Resources Lead provides leadership of the human resource and organizational development function in Mercy Corps CAR. He/s ensures the overall provision of HR services, policies, and programs for the CAR Country Office. This includes Developing, implementing and managing HR processes and procedures in accordance with CAR policy laws / standards; leadership of the HR Team; Supporting the driving of initiatives and projects aimed at ensuring the Mercy Corps CAR Team is as happy & productive as possible at all times; and ensuring HR documentation is compliant with all donor policies. In addition, the HR Lead builds the capacity of all team members across all offices. S/he provides support and advises the Country Director on HR issues. The HR Lead works closely with all team members including Senior Management Team (SMT) to bring efficiency in MC CAR HR procedures.
Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT
- Establish annual HR work plan, set priorities, monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and set standards
- Liaise with HQ, regional and country offices to support and contribute to HR strategy implementation
- Provide technical leadership to the country HR team including reviewing and supervising the work of the HR team and setting of annual capacity development plans for each team member
- Strategic oversight of all Mercy Corps Human Resources processes inclusive of Talent acquisition and development, Recruitment & Selection, performance management, Compensation and benefits, Employee relation, HR Policy and processes, grievances and counselling and stakeholder Management.
- Develop, implement and monitor the interpretation and application of new human resources systems, practices and procedures
TALENT ACQUISITION & MANAGEMENT
- Help design optimal program and shared services staffing plans
- Ensure recruiting and hiring practices are in compliance with government regulations and organizational policies
- Draft required position descriptions and adverts and ensure advertise via appropriate channels in CAR
- Coordinate with hiring managers to ensure all hiring requests are complete according to Recruiting Policies and Procedures of Mercy Corps.
- Review recruitment results and support in salary break down and offer letters to candidates
- Organize, lead and document post-recruitment conversations with managers and candidates.
- Ensure that orientation is conducted for each newly hired national and expatriate team members consistent with global guidance including MC Essentials, Code of Conduct and Security and a review of all relevant policies and handbooks.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide country level compensation and benefits administration
- Review salary scales & benefits packages and bench mark against the market on an annual basis
- Ensure all merit based pay increases are done as and when required
- Conduct job evaluations on new and existing positions and manage country wide job audits to ensure equity and competitiveness within the job market
- Provide required support during assigned expatriate recruitment activities
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT & MANAGEMENT
- Act as HR partner to all Mercy Corps CAR Team members
- Using available HR data agree and deploy annual employee relations calendars to provide a positive employer-employee relationship and promote a high level of employee morale and motivation within our offices.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback and assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
- Support management’s goal of continuous capacity development of national staff through the provision of internal and external trainings.
- Support and collaborate with Ethics & Assurance Manager on investigations and disciplinary meetings
- Alongside our legal counsel and Country Director, manage all human resource related legal issues in compliance with CAR labor law.
- Proactively update senior management on any issues & grievances and ensure efficient and transparent solutions that protect both Mercy Corps CAR Team members and Mercy Corps interests in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures and global guidelines in term of safeguarding.
- During all parts of the human resource life cycle, promote the Mercy Corps CAR goals and targets for gender equity and cultural diversity
- Manage and maintain office/work spaces in such a way that fosters a harmonious work environment that reinforces Mercy Corps’ culture of innovation, influence and impact
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
- Partner with leadership to promote a safe and inclusive work environment that, regardless of the context, is consistent with Mercy Corps’ culture of care
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Supervisory Responsibility
The CAR HR Team
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Country Director
Works Directly With: Senior Management, Ethics & Assurance Manager, HQ HR Team, HQ Talent Acquisition Team, Program Leads, Middle Managers, and hiring managers
Knowledge and Experience
- BA in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field; MA preferred
- 5+ years’ experience managing HR functions for mid-sized organization preferably with an international organization
- 3 years senior level experience in strategic HR
- Professional Qualification / Certification
- In depth knowledge of CAR employment practices
- Highly motivated with ability to analyze information and problem solving
- Highly organized with keen attention to detail and ability to deal with confidential information in a discrete manner
- Strong presentation and communication skills, oral and written
- Proficiency in computer applications to include MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of USAID and other donors policies and procedures
Success Factors
The successful Senior Human Resource Lead will have the ability to multitask, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions. S/he will possess a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Bangui, CAR. The location is unaccompanied. Housing for the Human Resource Lead is individual, but within a shared compound with other team members, with freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Staff will have access to electricity, water, and internet, though they should expect occasional outages. Access to health care is limited. This position requires 25% of time traveling to field offices, some of which are in insecure environments. As an unaccompanied position, this role qualifies for hardship allowance.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.