Head, HR Services and Talent Management

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Department of Human Resources and Offices Services (HROS) is the central management and coordinating function for human resources management, HR policy and systems development and service delivery. It includes units for HR Services and Talent Management, HR Data, Technology and Compensation, HR Policy and Organisational Development, Ethics, Office Services, and Security. The Department serves employees and managers in HQ, Branch Offices and Country Offices.

THE POSITION

The Head of HR Services and Talent Management provides strategic leadership for a range of HR services, talent management, and the end-to-end employee lifecycle. The role sets direction for integrated, efficient and employee-centered HR services, ensuring that workforce planning, talent acquisition, onboarding, employee performance, and separation processes support organizational priorities. In addition, the role drives service improvement, and evidence-based decision-making to strengthen organizational performance and employee experience.

Under the guidance of the Director of Human Resources and Office Services, and in close collaboration with the other Unit Heads in the Human Resources Department, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Talent Management & HR Services

• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, retention, and separation processes. Ensure each stage delivers consistent and high-quality employee experience across locations. 

• Lead the development and implementation of recruitment and marketing strategies in alignment with IDLO rules and ensure timely and effective recruitment in all locations.

• Provide direction for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence to strengthen recruitment effectiveness.

• Oversee and ensure that consistent and accurate contract management service is provided in compliance with organizational processes and that employee enquiries concerning compensation, benefits, etc. are processed in a prompt and comprehensive manner. 

• Guide and advise management on policy interpretation and application, recommending solutions to complex and exceptional cases, ensuring consistent and transparent application of HR policies and procedures across IDLO.

• Ensure compliance with internal policies, audit requirements, and applicable obligations. 

Global Outreach and Communication

• Conduct regular meetings with country offices and departments, proactively engaging with colleagues to identify talent management needs, strengthen collaboration, and communicate initiatives, and participate in country meetings as applicable.

Management

• Prepare the annual unit workplan and budget and contribute to the implementation of the Human Resources Strategy, in close collaboration with the Director HROS.

• Develop and update SOPs, KPIs and statistics to monitor and report on the unit’s effectiveness while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of HR Officers, with a view on both team and individual performance, development and accountability. 

• Act as a subject matter expert on Organizational rules and policy, providing practical advice, guidance and support to line managers and employees, ensuring services within the boundaries of legal and organizational policy.

• Liaise with HR peers of other international organizations and participate in HR networking events and stay current on market trends, particularly in international public settings

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, Public Administration, Law or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, including at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role with responsibility for talent management, HR services and the end-to-end employee lifecycle.

• Experience in a multilateral international organization, United Nations or similarly complex global environment is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience leading a team and delivering HR services across global locations in a multicultural environment.

• Proven experience designing and implementing workforce planning as well as talent acquisition and talent management frameworks.

• Experience in advising senior leaders, managing complex employee matters, and leading HR transformation, service improvement, digitalization and change initiatives.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Proficiency in other languages used in IDLO particularly French but also Spanish or Arabic is an advantage. 

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to lead talent acquisition aligned with organizational workforce priorities.  Provide direction for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in an HR context.

• Strong knowledge of contemporary talent management, employee lifecycle, HR policy, employment practices and HR service-delivery models.

• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications and HR business tools including for HR analytics, HR engagement, and Applicant Tracking systems such as iCIMS.

• A motivated self-starter, able to work under pressure and tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

• Demonstrated strategic leadership, people management, stakeholder engagement, judgement and change-management capabilities.

• Ability to use workforce data, employee feedback and service metrics to identify risks, provide evidence-based advice and improve organizational and employee outcomes.

• Flexible, adaptable, able to identify improvements to working practice, make recommendations and implement change.

• Strong team player, positive attitude, comfortable with working in multi-cultural settings.

• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate. Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organisation to achieve its objectives.

For this internationally recruited professional position, IDLO will offer the selected candidate a Fixed- Term Contract of 24 months, with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding. IDLO offers a yearly basic salary of EUR 93,353. - and a benefits package including Provident Fund contribution, medical insurance, leave entitlements in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees. 

IDLO employees are responsible for compliance with income tax laws of their country of nationality or residence and/or of any other relevant fiscal jurisdiction.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

Application deadline: 04 December 2026 (23:59hrs Rome time).