HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER IN THE FIELD

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Role description

As a part of our HR (Human Resources) strategy, we are looking for experienced HR professionals to be deployed as Field HR Managers in support to the teams delivering humanitarian aid & services to beneficiaries in our field delegations. The purpose of this position is to deliver consistent high quality HR services in a Delegation, in order to enable line managers and employees to adequately respond to operational challenges in the field. The HR Manager is responsible for ensuring that HR strategies & policies are implemented on the ground while at the same time ensuring the appropriate level of up-stream communication with Regions and Services at the Headquarters (HQ) on HR related matters.

Through a Human Resources presence at the Delegation level we provide streamlined high quality HR services to all staff. This role implies direct supervision of providers of HR Services within sites attached to the Delegation.

This function reports to:

Head of Delegation or Deputy Head of Delegation (hierarchical reporting) and HR Operations Division, in principle the Regional HR Partner (functional reporting in GVA).

Main responsibilities

HR Strategy

• Supports the Delegation Management in translating operational needs and challenges into local HR strategy and priorities for the Delegation
• Understands the Regional and Delegation HR strategy and oversee its implementation into specific programmes, plans and projects within the Delegation ; act as an implementing partner and change agent 
• Provides support to the HR Partner at the HQ in the execution of all initiatives within the Delegation
• Reports to the HR Partner at the HQ any relevant information that may shape the Regional HR strategy and priorities
• In coordination with the HR Partner at the HQ, contributes to the regional thinking regarding HR frameworks (incl. processes, policies and guidelines) and provides feedback to Head Quarters based entities on compliance, feasibility, applicability and improvement of processes, policies and guidelines within the Delegation

HR Framework

• Is responsible for the establishment and development of the HR management framework of the Delegation
• In collaboration with Centre of Expertise at HQ, validate the application of the HR framework in compliance with ICRC policies and legal obligations
• Is responsible for the elaboration and the adequate application of local HR processes, policies and procedures within the Delegation
• Validates all internal HR procedures elaborated by the Delegation to implement their HR policy
• Advises on the HR legal framework for consultancy contracts

HR operations

• Is responsible to set-up, adjust and update all aspects of the HR Organisational structure in the country/ies covered
• Is in charge of the appropriate communication of HR related issues to all concerned stakeholder
• In charge of supervising & monitoring all Sourcing and Talent Acquisition, On-and Off-boarding activities in the country/ies covered
• Supervises and promotes Career-Talent -Management and LnD activities and ensures coherence, consistency and respect of institutional policies on these issues
• Ensures respect and consistency of the Performance and International Assignment Planning (IAP) frameworks, assists and guides colleagues as needed
• Has the overall responsibility for all aspects related to Employee Relations

Support to Line Managers

• Advises and guides Line Managers in the execution of their people management responsibilities.
• Acts as an Ambassador of Change towards Managers in the implementation of the ongoing global HR Transformation

Supervision of other HR Service Providers

• Supervises, guides and coaches HR Teams in the execution of daily HR activities and provides training plans, up-skilling initiatives and advice in accordance with ICRC global norms and standards.

HR Projects

• Implements ad-hoc HR projects and initiatives upon request from HR Operations Division in HQ
• Proposes such ad hoc projects on HR related matters to the delegation and HR Operations Division in HQ in accordance to needs and priorities.

• Responsible to set-up, adjust and update all aspects of the HR Organisational structure in the country/ies covered
• Is in charge of the appropriate communication of HR related issues to all concerned stakeholder
• Is in charge of supervising & monitoring all Sourcing and Talent Acquisition, On-and Off-boarding activities in the country/ies covered
• Supervises and promotes Career-Talent -Management and LnD activities and ensures coherence, consistency and respect of institutional policies on these issues
• Ensures respect and consistency of the Performance and International Assignment Planning (IAP) frameworks, assists and guides colleagues as needed
• Has the overall responsibility for all aspects related to Employee Relation

Desired profile and skills

Profile

• University diploma in HR, with a confirmed experience of minimum 5 years in HR management, ideally in a HR generalist, HR Manager or Business Partner function
• Experience in the management of complex and diverse teams (mid to large size) with demonstrated track record in driving transformation and implementing change in complex and challenging situations.
• Previous experience working in an international environment and/or  an international organization, successfully operating in a matrix organization is a strong asset
• Very good command of English and French mandatory. Fluency in another ICRC working language used in the field such as Spanish, Arabic or Russian is a distinct asset.
• Fully conversant with IT tools

Skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Ability to develop the role with exemplary conduct and to represent the HR function in the field;
• Ability to guide, support, delegate appropriately and provide developmental guidance to HR staff under her/his direct supervision;
• Ability to advise and actively support key stakeholders on all aspects of people management and development;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to create and maintain partnerships at all levels of the delegation and within the HR function, both with staff and managers;
• Leadership skills with Business acumen and experience in dealing with a variety of stakeholders (interlocutors) externally including high ranking senior officials (Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Interior etc.)
• Excellent and effective communication and listening skills and ability to interact collaboratively in a multicultural team (HR and beyond);
• Strong analytical, decision making and organizational skills ability to handle multiple priorities in an autonomous manner;
• Cultural awareness and commitment to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Languages

• English mandatory at a B2 level (according to the European framework of the reference for languages)
• French mandatory at a B2 level (according to the European framework of the reference for languages)
• Other language at a B2 level (according to the European framework of the reference for languages) such as : Spanish, Arabic or Russian would be an asset

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving licence (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months

What we offer

• An opportunity to practice your profession in a fast paced humanitarian and multicultural environment
• An unique opportunity to contribute and shape a major HR Transformation
• Competitive Rewards & Benefits, including access to further in-house and/or external training before departure and during your assignment
• Generous social benefits

Minimum length of assignment for this role :  18 months