Human Resources Manager (National)

About MAG:

MAG saves lives and builds futures by working with others to reclaim land contaminated with the debris of conflict, to reduce the daily risk of death or injury for civilians, and to create safe and secure conditions for development. MAG shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines for our work to ban landmines. Our vision is a safe and secure future for men, women and children affected by armed violence and conflict.

About the Syria Response programme:

MAG has been responding to the Syria crisis since 2013 working to support the development from conflict by finding and destroying the explosive remnants of war, so that communities can raise their families and pursue their livelihoods in a safe and secure environment, free from fear of death or injury.

Overall Purpose of the Job

The HR Manager will provide HR management support to the country Senior Management Team to ensure a strategic approach to HR issues, promoting good management practice, and strengthening HR capacity throughout the programme You will develop, monitor and review national staff HR framework to ensure legal compliance and best practice within the country programme.

S/he will also develop management capacity and understanding of HR and people management issues to ensure sustainable HR frameworks, improve employee relations and enhance job performance and productivity.

Detailed Responsibilities

Statutory and HR Compliance

• Develop, implement and monitor effective HR strategies in line with MAG’s national staff HR framework and compliance framework.
• Ensure that HR Handbooks and contractual documentation are compliant and implemented in line with legal requirements.
• Design, develop and review the remuneration policies for national staff to ensure compliant, competitive and cost-effective salaries and benefits package are in place.
• Monitor statutory and legal requirements for Syria and ensure that MAG’s status in country remains compliant.
• Engage with NGO working groups on HR issues to ensure awareness and compliance with current issues and common practice in the sector and where relevant statutory and legal requirements.

Operational HR

• Provide general HR Management support to the country SMT in dealing with a wide range of national issues.
• Oversee advice given to managers on implementing MAG’s terms and conditions of employment and HR policies and SOPs.
• Lead on all recruitment and selection plans and ensure a transparent and legally compliant full-cycle recruitment process is in place.
• Provide advice to managers on complicated staff management issues including discipline and grievance procedures, staff absence, performance management. Adopt a fair and legally considered process should the decision to terminate be given
• Provide Management with advice on how to manage the redundancy process, develop guidelines, and scripts to support that. Ensure all active redundancy processes remain compliant with local laws and in line with best practice.
• Follow up on all local staff contractual status, and ensure appropriate and timely actions for new and renewals of contracts, promotions, and within-grade increments.
• Manage and review the monthly leave tracking and payroll reporting cycle for national staff to ensure that any issues are flagged and followed up on a timely basis, and payroll deadlines are met.
• In conjunction with the HRC and HRO, manage the nominal roll and staff database review process to ensure that any changes are updated on a timely basis.
• Ensure monthly reporting mechanisms for national staff HR and circulated as relevant including recruitment, leave and operational staffing gaps.
• Work with HR colleagues in the UK to ensure that HR support to the programme is coordinated.
• Work with the HQ HR Team to ensure that MAG’s Safeguarding Framework and associated initiatives are implemented and ensure safeguarding standards are integrated into the relevant HR processes.

Function Development & Capacity Building

• Work with the SMT to design and roll out the expansion of the HR function, including identification of gaps, and developing a plan for roles and responsibilities across operational bases.
• Feed into the development of HR Database systems, in conjunction with SMT and in coordination with MAG Syria programme to ensure standardisation.
• Manage and support the performance and development of national HR staff to develop capacity and ensure the provision of an efficient and effective HR function within the programme
• Ensure HR information systems, processes and HR administrative procedures are developed and maintained
• Through the provision of advice, guidance and coaching, develop management skills to ensure that line managers are able to deal with all aspects of people management including performance, disciplinary and grievance management, legal compliance and the implementation of policies and procedures.
• Create and roll-out an Induction programme that provides in coming staff with a positive, focused and enjoyable experience
• Ensure that HR considerations (including legal, contractual and resourcing) are integrated into business development planning processes.
• Work closely with the HQ HR team on contributing to strategy, policy and projects.

Wellbeing, Programme culture and Values

• Ensure that all HR frameworks, processes, and plans take into consideration MAG’s core values DETERMINED – EXPERT – INTEGRITY – COMPASSION – INCLUSIVE
• Improve the wellbeing of programme national staff, reducing the possibility of burn out and ensuring MAG is meeting its duty of care, including both mental and physical health.
• Support the development of a healthy programme culture, through the principles of trust, respectful communication and Psychological safety, in line with MAG’s Safeguarding Framework

Safeguarding

• Provide support to the Safeguarding Team when required, including the development and continued motivation of focal points.
• Share HR cases linked with safeguarding issues to the in-country Safeguarding team to coordinate approach and response.
• Do a regular shared analysis of the safeguarding issues in the programme ( minimum once a year) with the safeguarding team to identify any HR related improvement to implement.
• Work closely with the UK HR team should any Safeguarding isssues arise.

Others:

• Provide leadership and supervision to the HR and administrative team ensure that the department achieves its key result areas.
• Support department staff t develop in their roles and work towards continual improvment.
• Liaise with MAG HQ to ensure that all insurance cases are managed efficiently

General Responsibilities

• Work towards achieving programme and/or department business plan objectives
• Understand and uphold the standards outlined in MAG’s Safeguarding Framework; act with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that comes into contact with MAG’s work and report concerns if they do arise
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all MAG policies and procedures and keep informed of MAG activities
• Undertake and apply learning from appropriate training and development programmes.
• Undertake the role in a manner appropriate to the cultural context and within the local legal framework.
• Other duties as directed, in accordance with the MAG Syria program’s requirements.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or equivalent with minimum of 6 years of experience in the similar position in international organizations.

Person Selection Criteria

The post holder should be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

• An understanding of NGOs and a commitment to humanitarian work.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English.
• An excellent command of spoken and written Arabic and Kurdish.
• Excellent computer skills, especially Microsof Office programs.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• High level of self motivation.
• Good active listener.
• Willing to travel to different locations in NES.

As part of MAG’s commitment to safeguarding, this post is subject to background checks before an offer of employment is confirmed.

MAG is committed to the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion. If you think you would be suited to one of our roles we would welcome your application regardless of your background. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all employees feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.