HR Officer (maternity cover)
Rome
- Organization: JRS - Jesuit Refugee Service
- Location: Rome
- Grade: Mid level - Mid
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Occupational Groups:
- Human Resources
- Closing Date: 2025-05-15
Organizational context
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in 58 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an International Office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. The main services provided are in the field of education, reconciliation, livelihoods and psychosocial support.
Operational Context
The JRS IO Human Resources Department plays a key role in the overall success of the organization, by coordinating and facilitating human resources management within the organization, in line with JRS mission and vision, international humanitarian standards, and with the aim of ensuring the overall wellbeing of its employees.
Within the IO, the Human Resources department responsible for all IO staff, managing recruitment, contracts & benefits, performance appraisal, learning & development, employee wellbeing and staff relations.
Key Responsibilities
This is a maternity cover for the position of IO HR Officer. The IO HR Officer is responsible for the delivery of day-to-day HR services to all departments of the IO. He/she collaborates within a smaller unit of 3, within the HR Department (total of 9 positions) and reports directly to the International HR Director. The IO HR Officer supervises the work of another HR Officer and provides guidance to HR Volunteers.
Main responsibilities of the position
Contract Management & Entitlements:
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Responsible for contract administration, providing technical advice and timely follow-up to heads of department regarding contract expiration, changes or hiring formalities.
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Provides advice and technical expertise to staff and supervisors on staff entitlements, travel and social security benefits under JRS policies/Italian legal framework.
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Liaises with labour consultants for contract and payroll administration, in collaboration with the other HR Officer.
Policy Development:
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Keeps abreast of developments in various areas of human resources management as well as important developments within the applicable CCNL.
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Proactively informs the team on legislative developments.
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Supports and assists the HR Director in the review and implementation of the Safety and Security requirements under Italian law, and in implementation of existing protocols for the Curia of the Society of Jesus.
Performance Management:
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Provides advice to supervisors and staff in understanding the performance management cycle and evaluation criteria.
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Ensures the performance appraisal process is effectively and timely concluded every year for International Office staff (on regular contracts).
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With the oversight of the HR Director, organize professional development activities, internal coaching, or mentoring activities for IO staff.
Recruitment:
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Coordinates & leads the IO processes for recruitment & selection, by ensuring timely follow-up to recruitment requests (review of job vacancies, managing pre-selection and interviewing activities, (written or other) test administration, timely follow-up with candidates and hiring managers, formalizing job offers).
Other:
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Supports the organization of corporate events (e.g. Staff Retreat, Gita), as well as monitoring and evaluating the success of these initiatives.
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Supports and provide assistance with the implementation of JRS Global Systems, such as the HR module of the JRS Information Management System (HRIMS).
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Support other projects within the HR Department, such as transition to a new HR filing system and GDPR compliance project.
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Follows up on budget administration, in close collaboration with the Head of Unit of the Finance Unit and Finance team.
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Other duties may be requested.
Qualification and Competencies
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A university degree (organizational development; business administration, law, etc.) and preferably a specific qualification or certification in human resources management.
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At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
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Prior experience with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and/or faith-based organization is highly desirable.
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Strong knowledge of Italian labour law.
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Fluent in English and Italian.
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Working knowledge of French or Spanish is considered an asset.
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Strong attention to detail, while not losing sight of the broader picture.
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Ability to work independently, identify and analyse problems and propose solutions.
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Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate within a team.
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Ability to work in an environment with persons of diverse ethnic, cultural and social background.
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Flexibility.
Core values and ethics
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Alignment with JRS mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
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High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
Terms and Conditions
Please note that this position is only open to candidates who possess EU citizenship or other legal authorization to work in the European Union.
The contract is for a duration of six (6) months, with a probation period of one (1) month, and may be subject to renewal. The position will be active as of July 2025.
The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the organization's ethos, aiming to provide effective and professional services while also expressing solidarity with the people we serve. The gross annual salary for this position is EUR 40,000.
How to apply
All applicants are requested to submit the following documents by 15 May:
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A cover letter explaining their motivation and interest in working with JRS, as well as how their qualifications and experience align with the requirements of the position.
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A Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including the names and contact information (phone and email) of three (3) professional references.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in joining JRS.
JRS International Office is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We believe that diversity enriches our organization and strengthens our ability to serve refugees worldwide. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in the humanitarian sector, to apply. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all staff members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to our mission of accompanying and serving refugees with compassion and solidarity.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.