Human Resources Director

Role & Responsibilities

Purpose of HR Director’s role will be to lead and manage Medair’s global human resource function with care and professionalism to support in implementation of world class humanitarian aid projects. Ensure recruitment of right people, at right time and place.

S/he will facilitate & support people development, culture and organisational capacity, to empower front-line staff in country programmes, as well as significantly contribute to Medair’s corporate leadership as an Exec. Leadership Team (ELT) member.

Project Overview

Medair Global Support Office provides operational guidance for country programmes, along with both technical and compassionate support for our relief workers. Within our Global Support and affiliate offices, we are also responsible for promoting the work of Medair to the world, to raise and manage the funds needed to run our life-saving and sustaining programmes, and to recruit international and global support staff.

Medair’s global HR function supports in the implementation of world class humanitarian aid projects by ensuring having adequate organisation, staff, processes and tools to efficiently recruit, retain and develop the right people. Also, supporting leadership on impacting Medair’s culture by creating and sustaining a work environment where our values are fully alive and staff are cared for.

Workplace & Working conditions

Global Support Office (GSO) position based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details
April 2024. Full-time open-ended contract.

Key Activity Areas

HR Strategic planning & Development

• Serve as a member of Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and work with it in providing strategic leadership for the organisation
• Serve as strategic HR business partner to other ELT members and support leadership on dealing with complex people issues
• Ensure the department exists to serve the core business, lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable, with dignity and hope
• Lead in key decisions pertaining to strategic initiatives, operating model and execution within our country programmes
• Strategic thinking about recruitment markets and contract options globally, ensuring enough core presence in GSO Strong contributor to Medair’s corporate 5-year strategy
• Provide strategic direction to the global HR function for efficient and effective talent management
• Work w/other departments, Country Directors & programme staff, partners to provide best HR support systems and policies
• Be gatekeeper of the faith value within Medair as an organisation

Leadership

• Provide strong leadership & vision by ensuring optimal deployment of its people to achieve the ambitious business goals
• Provide leadership as an active member of the ELT

Team Management

• Provide leadership on GSO HR Department’s staffing, incl. recruitment, objectives, management, monitoring and appraisals
• Promote teamwork, unity and staff development opportunities
• Develop and monitor the department budget
• Develop achievable stretch team plans that are fully aligned with the organisation’s ambitious new vision and strategy
• Lead and coach the team to recruit and retain high-calibre staff
• Provide coaching, guidance, support and set professional development plans to assist team members in reaching their full potential through performance management process

Training and Development

• Facilitate and support training and development in the organization, ensure right staff are targeted with technical training in sectoral & support functions. As well as people management, project management, security management training
• Deliver on agreed and committed target development needs decided for each year
• Nurture and develop leadership in others, through mentoring, coaching and by providing example of faith-filled leadership
• Facilitate a recruitment strategy where people can be hired with transferable skills, potential, right character and motivation
• Ensure a range of training, coaching and mentoring approaches appropriate to needs

Recruitment and retention

• Ensure strategic approach to recruitment
• Look ahead and anticipate recruitment needs
• Recruit on time at all level to secure the delivery of programmes through qualified colleagues
• Ensure an enabling environment for retention, good talent development and communication about future opportunities

Manage the information management & HR reporting systems, ensuring integrity and accountability

• Provide accurate, current and secured employee data at all time to feed the various processes in Medair
• Ensure efficient HR information management systems for effective storage and access to employee data/information
• Oversee HR Performance Metrics and Report to assist Leadership decision making to achieve corporate strategic objectives
• Define strategically aligned Key Performance Indicators, cascading objectives from global to country programmes, ensuring alignment between organizational, individual performance & development, liaising w/ GSO, regional teams and HR

Innovation/changes

• Drive continuous improvement of key processes, policies, procedures and information systems, through problem solving and new initiatives, in collaboration with HR Management team and stakeholders
• Oversee execution of HR projects, track progress and ensure the delivery of outputs as planned

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect Medair values with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree from a recognised institution in a relevant sector or comparable demonstrable experience; business management education and/or HR Professional certification would be a plus
• Excellent English spoken and written, working knowledge of French would be a plus

Experience

• 5+ years in a senior HR management role and managing significant budgets
• International cross-cultural management in complex environments experience in a commercial or non-profit organisation, experience working abroad and international humanitarian experience would be a plus
• Successfully lead & implemented organisational development and change
• Experience with relevant information systems (ERP & HRIS) and Microsoft Office suite (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Personal integrity, openness, accountability for performance and results driven
• Advanced strategic planning, leadership, project and conflict management skills
• High team-building, empowerment and collaborative skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to embrace strength of past successes whilst driving a process of continuous improvement
• Facility to provide nurturing yet challenging staff coaching and mentoring
• Capacity to identify opportunities & risks, manage stress, stay calm & focused, make sound decisions in a fast-paced, rapidly changing situation

Download this brochure for more information here