Human Resources (HR) Manager

Background:

SWEDO is a Swedish non-profit, non-political, non-religious development aid organization that was founded in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden. Having continuously operated in the Kurdistan Region ever since, SWEDO’s main priorities of work are construction and infrastructure activities, refugee and IDP initiatives, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and capacity building.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The HR Manager oversees and implements human resource activities, providing a spectrum of services from tactical to strategic. The HR Manager is part of the Leadership Team and is expected to contribute to the strategic direction setting and operational problem solving through their areas of professional expertise. The HR Manager ensures compliance with all organization-wide policies and procedures and leads local labour law compliance efforts. This position is based in Country Management Office in Erbil – KRI, with a regular onsite presence within field offices.

Major Responsibilities

• Model, promote and uphold a culture of values as reflected in SWEDO code of conduct
• Develop organisation plans for a variety of HR matters such as compensation, benefits, health and safety etc.
• Serve as a reliable source of HR policies, practices, and processes in response to employee and/or supervisor requests, ensuring compliance with internal and external standards and applicable labour laws, including country – and city-specific labour laws. Support the development and refinement of key HR lifecycle processes as needed.
• Supervise the work of HR personnel and provide guidance in all offices
• Develop and manage the Internal Complaints and Feedback Mechanism
• Facilitate resolution of escalated issues related to basic employee welfare needs regarding benefits, payroll, HR Information System, Leaves of Absence, and general employee questions.
• Act to support the human factor in the organisation by devising strategies for performance evaluation, staffing, training, and development etc.
• Lead intake, make recommendations, and support resolution of sensitive employee relations matters and workplace investigations. Deal with grievances and violations invoking disciplinary action when required
• Monitor adherence to internal policies and legal standards
• In conjunction with hiring managers, responsible for overseeing all aspects of recruitment processes including job description development, job postings, review of resumes, interviewing, reference checks, background checks, and job offers.
• Provide onboarding of new staff, with the goal to ensure new hire and orientation practices are implemented in accordance with SWEDO standards.
• Lead the development of a talent-development strategy and oversee implementation.
• Monitor and intervene as necessary to ensure SWEDO standards are met for exit paperwork and exit surveys.
• Oversee all HR initiatives, systems and tactics. Manage and maintain electronic office personnel records of employees and prepare paperwork with supporting documentation for all workday transactions to include new hires, staff transfers, supervisory changes, etc.
• Oversee leave and attendance records for all staff; ensuring management and employees have accurate Paid Time Off – PTO data to make appropriate decisions.
• Manage the background check procedures for staff, and independent contractors (if applicable)
• Understand the way an organization operates to meet its objectives and ensure compliance to donors/UN partner agencies’ contracts and policies of what relates to Human Resources

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Applicants will be initially screened on the following attributes if you can please outline how you meet these in your cover letter (bullet points are fine):

• At least 10 years in HR management in a humanitarian setting (must have NGO, or exceptionally UN, experience)
• At least 3 years in departmental leadership role
• Bachelors level education, ideally in HR or related field. Masters (MSc/MA) is desirable
• Experience writing and implementing country wide strategy and policy frameworks
• Functional expertise and practical experience across all main areas of HR including risk management and compliance perspective.
• Experience as part of a Senior Management Team
• Experience leading and supporting teams across multiple locations.
• High level of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Diligent and firm with high ethical standards
• Travel to the field occasionally
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and regulations
• Thorough knowledge of human resource management principles and best practices
• A professional insight partnered with attention to the human element
• Knowledge of data analysis and reporting
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• SHRM, HRCI, HRPA member and associated technical qualifications is desirable
• Experience installing an HRIS system is desirable