Regional HR Director, West Africa 1003 views0 applications

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 29 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC’s programs in West Africa focus on various relief and rehabilitation programs for refugees, internally displaced persons and communities affected by conflict. IRC has programs in the following sectors: health, education, economic recovery & development, governance, and violence prevention & response.

Job Overview

The Regional HR Director will lead and facilitate the development of a highly effective, strategic HR function in the West Africa region that ensures the organization has the structure, culture and talent needed to deliver on program goals and effectively serves its beneficiaries. This individual will be responsible for the delivery of key HR services and infrastructure in line with the IRC’s People & Culture Strategy and Country Program Strategic Action Plans, for efficient and effective services at multiple levels. They will drive the implementation and adaptation of HR global initiatives and practices across the region. The Regional HR Director serves as advisor and counsel to improve staffing and performance, ensure economy and efficiency of work processes, and contain institutional risk.

This position is member of the West Africa regional leadership team as well as the Crisis Response, Recovery and Development (CRRD) HR leadership team, and will report to the West Africa Regional Vice President and the CRRD Senior HR Director under Management in Partnership arrangement.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead the collaborative identification and development of annual human resource strategies and annual work plans in the areas of workforce planning, recruitment, performance improvement, HR capacity development, Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI), employee engagement and staff care to ensure IRC attracts and inspires the right talent at the right time and in the right place. Identify and facilitate development of standards, tools, and resources.
• Evaluate and facilitate HR functional capacity and service delivery for the West Africa region. Implement collaborative actions to facilitate the evaluation and development of HR services and infrastructure. Build knowledge, expertise, and capacity, using internal and external resources. Ensure effective HR service systems and delivery at multi-levels as confirmed by key collaborators.
• Lead the planning, delivery, and implementation of global HR initiatives e.g., People & Culture, orientation and on-boarding, policies and procedures, HR metrics, compensation and benefits and other strategic HR pilots and programs across the region. Supervise regional delivery of IRC HR global systems, standards, and initiatives. Ensure effective adaptation at all levels and compliance with the spirit and intent of labor regulations and donor requirements. Solicit feedback and suggested improvements.
• Direct development and delivery of training and capacity building efforts, using e-learning and remote management. Identify and engage internal and external resources to provide timely and effective technical assistance. Coordinate and deliver HR trainings and workshops.
• Work closely with West Africa Regional Team and effectively participate in monthly / quarterly meetings and joint work streams.
• Ensure close collaboration with Regional Vice President West Africa to identify gaps in the regional structure while ensuring timely acquisition of the right talents.
• Travel to the countries in West Africa (as conditions allow) as and when needed to provide in-person HR leadership, support, technical trainings and/or management of special projects.
• Provide occasional direct HR support to regional staff including advice in response to policy inquiries, orientation, employee relations issues and exit management.
• Lead, empower and develop the HR team, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews, inspiring maximum potential.
• Support investigations upon instructions from IRC’s Ethics and Compliance Unit.
• Other responsibilities as assigned. IRC is a fast- moving organization, and roles & responsibilities will change over time.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior HR Director for Crisis Response, Recovery, & Development (CRRD), and Regional Vice President, West Africa

Technical Reports: 7 Country Program HR Leads and 2+ regional Staff

Key Internal Relationships:

• Country Program Teams: Country Directors, Chief of Party, Deputy Directors of Operation, Senior Management Teams, HR practitioners.
• Regional Team: Colleagues from IT, Supply Chain, Finance, Safety & Security, GEDI, Duty of Care, Emergency Preparedness and Deputy Regional Director.
• HQ: HR Team members across Compensation & Benefits, Talent Management, Global Recruitment, Staff Care, as well as HRIS; General Counsel, Finance, IT and Global Supply Chain.
• HR Director peers across the Crisis Response, Recovery, and Development Department (CRRD)

Key External Relationships: INGO counterparts; legal counsel; HR associations and networks

Job Requirements:

• 10 to 15 years of progressive professional HR experience with a minimum of 5 years as a regional manager or director or equivalent education and experience.
• Demonstrated success as an HR generalist supporting groups of 1,000+ employees at multiple organizational levels, cultures, and locations within a regional or global environment
• Professional experience in emergency response, conflict zones and/or humanitarian aid sector preferred;
• Demonstrated success in supporting key senior management and building strong, trusted relationships.
• Proven track-record of excellent management and leadership skills including capacity-building, coaching, mentoring, performance management and delivering individual and group training.
• Broad knowledge and experience in employment law, compensation, organizational planning, organization development, employee relations, and training and development
• Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries, cultures, and organizational units required
• Demonstrated ability to manage and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment; problem solving and decision-making skills needed.
• Superb inter-personal, written, and verbal communication skills required.
• Must possess a highly collaborative, inclusive, consultative, and resourceful workstyle that balances required compliance/policy enforcement with a steadfast commitment to employee and client service and support
• Excellent project management and organizational skills including detailed work planning and superior time management skills
• Ability to work independently supporting and partnering with teams with significant regional location distribution
• Advanced proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; HRIS-knowledgeable
• Ability to travel 25-50% within the region and other locations for conferences, sometimes on short notice
• Proficiency in English and French required.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Professional Standards

IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, IRC offers an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.