Advisor Sr – Regional Employee Experience

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

The Sr. Advisor provides a CRS region and its country programs (CPs) with HR partnership, technical guidance, and support to implement a highly effective and strategic HR function and ensure CPs have the talent they need to deliver high-quality programs and a consistent, equitable employee experience that enables staff to contribute their best to CRS’ mission. The Sr. Advisor will work closely with CP HR Managers and regional and CP leadership to ensure efficient, effective, and locally contextualized delivery of HR services and support in line with CRS Global HR Standards. S/he will provide practical hands-on support in the roll-out and adoption of GPR global initiatives and practices across the region and support the professional development of HR staff. S/he will coordinate and provide surge capacity to CPs as feasible to meet their HR needs. S/he will provide technical assistance to leaders to maximize staffing resources and performance, ensure efficiency and consistency of business processes, and contain institutional risk.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Strengthening HR Capacity in the Region

• Evaluate HR capacity and service delivery for the CPs in the region and work with CPs to develop and implement HR capacity-building plans.
• Build strong knowledge of the HR capabilities within the region. Build knowledge, expertise, and capacity of Country Program HR staff through purposeful development planning and coaching.
• Lead delivery of regional HR-related training and capacity building efforts.
• Travel to CPs to provide in-person practical hands-on support, technical trainings, capacity surge, and/or management of special projects.
• Collaborate with Country Program leadership to technically lead, empower and mentor the in-country program HR team, including communicating clear HR functional expectations and support setting performance objectives. Liaise with HRBPs as needed on issues related to staff on US or third-party payroll.

Upholding Standards, Contextualizing Approaches

• Work with Country Programs and regional leadership and GPR to ensure Global HR initiatives are well-timed, meet Region/Country Program needs/priorities, and are adapted to the local context.
• Support in-country HR staff and management to implement global and in-country specific HR initiatives.
• Support implementation of Global HR Standards for monitoring and evaluation to ensure HR systems, policies, processes, and practices meet agency, donor, and local legal requirements and standards.
• Provide counsel and practical in-person support as necessary to in-country HR Managers in all areas of employee relations, seeking guidance and support from the GPR Employee Relation Center of Excellence, as needed.
• Work closely with management and HR staff to support their efforts in improving work relationships and staff engagement. Liaise with in-country HR staff and CP leadership to support development and implementation of action plans following the CRS Engagement Surveys.

Providing Strategic HR Guidance, Aligning Priorities

• Serve as a strategic partner and trusted adviser to Country Programs and Regional leadership, identifying HR needs and establishing HR priorities that align with the overall agency plans and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with country program and regional leadership to develop staffing plans, identify gaps and assist in recruitment and orientation as needed.
• Work with country program and regional leadership, hiring managers, HR managers to support local leadership and gender equity efforts.
• Work with management and HR teams to provide analytical reports on HR data, metrics, and trends. Promote data-driven decision-making.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HR Management, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or other relevant field required. Proven track record and experience could be considered in leu of academic certification.
• 10 to 15 years of professional HR experience with a minimum of 5 years in complex and senior leadership role in an international organization or equivalent with strong knowledge of HR best practices and standards.
• Experience with implementing and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Proven leadership and experience in managing change and rolling out of new HR policies in complex work environments.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.

Required Languages – Professional command of English and Spanish.

Travel – This is a telecommuting position with expected travel of 25-50% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent coaching and delivering individual and group training skills.
• Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries and cultures required. Good knowledge of local context strongly preferred.
• Broad knowledge and experience in employment laws in the assigned region, employee relations, staff engagement, compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, HR Audits, training and development
• Demonstrated success as an HR professional in humanitarian sector, emergency response, conflict zones preferred.
• Demonstrated success in supporting key senior management and building strong, trusted relationships.
• Proven skills in fostering equality in the workplace, with experience in establishing a supportive workplace for women and other under-represented groups and accelerating their professional development in support of the agency global gender strategy.
• Superb interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills required.
• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in Central or South America a plus.
• Experience with and demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret and advise on employment laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts, and practices for various countries.
• Experience in project management and change management (HR projects).

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

Country Program Team: Country Representatives, Senior Management Teams, in-country HR staff

Regional Team: Regional Leadership team

HR: Centers of Excellence; Regional/Divisional People Officers; HRBPs; Safeguarding

External: INGO counterparts; HR associations and networks

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related discipline.
• Ten years related experience in the area of specialization.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and Web Conferencing Applications.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre- employment medical examination.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.