Human Resources Director - Nairobi, Kenya - Mercy Corps at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

The Human Resource (HR) Department is responsible for providing effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps Kenya, regional and global teams based in Kenya. This includes but is not limited to lead the support on: talent acquisition & development; employee engagement coordination; country wide training & learning management; compensation & benefits administration; country wide performance management oversight; disciplinary & grievance handling; staff data management; staff disengagement management and third party service provision management.

General Position Summary

The HR Director provides leadership of the human resource and organizational development function in Mercy Corps Kenya. S/he will drive excellence in all people functions of all offices in Kenya through: 1) developing and implementing people strategy as well as systems and processes (such as performance management systems), 2) Build the capacity of teams through appropriate learning opportunities, 3) Promote a healthy working environment through building a culture of trust, accountability and mutual respect.

This position ensures the overall provision of a high level standard of HR services, policies, and programs for the Kenya Country Office. This includes developing, implementing and overseeing HR processes and procedures in accordance with Kenya policy laws / standards, Mercy Corps policies and procedures, leadership of the People Team as well as support initiatives and projects aimed at ensuring the MC Kenya Team is implementing the Global Mercy Corps’ People Team Strategy while ensuring compliance with all donor policies. S/he will ensure that the Kenya Team is as happy and productive as possible at all times; The People Director builds the capacity of all team members across the country team as well as provides support and advice to the Country Director on HR issues. S/he will work closely with all staff to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in HR procedures.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

 

• Develop and implement a country People Strategy for Mercy Corps Kenya and liaise with HQ, regional and country offices to support and contribute to global/regional People/HR strategy;
• Establish annual HR work plan, set priorities, monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and set standards;
• Support all HR processes for national staff holding global and regional roles;
• Support and contribute to the development and implementation of Mercy Corps Kenya strategy;
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all MCK HR processes;
• Develop, implement and monitor the interpretation and application of Kenya labor laws, human resources systems, practices and procedures as well as complementary procedures that reflect the needs of programming as required;
• Ensure that the National Employee Handbook is updated and revised in line with the Labor Law and that clarity is provided accordingly;
• Remain informed, on an ongoing basis, about current and changing HR related laws, policies and “best practices” to ensure that current and future staff policies, employment practices, and compensation packages are within the limits of established standards,
• Advise departments on organizational structure challenges and improvements.

CULTURE

 

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and continued learning;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

TALENT ACQUISITION AND ONBOARDING

 

• Help design optimal program and shared services staffing plans to deliver programs and strategy effectively;
• Support the HR team to develop and implement a country-level recruitment strategy that is inclusive of gender and diversity, etc. This includes setting clear performance indicators and regularly monitoring progress;
• Ensurerecruitingandhiringpractices are in compliance with government regulations and organizational policies;
• Ensure all hiring requests are completed according to Recruitment Policies and Procedures;
• Ensure that exit process for staff departing Mercy Corps is conducted in line with the HR policies and Mercy Corps requirements;
• Ensure strategic reviews of the organizational charts and structure for all positions across all programs and departments are conducted on a regular basis, covered within budgets and shared with the team
• Oversee the implementation of consistent systems in the orientation and induction of new national and expatriate staff;

Compensationand Benefits

 

• Support in implementation of country level compensation in line with Global Compensation philosophy
• Ensureallcountry staff are covered on all relevant insurances
• Benchmark and review the salary scale and benefits packages k against the market every two-years basis to ensure competitiveness within the job market;
• Conductjobevaluationsonnew and existing positions and manage country wide job audits to ensure equity and competitiveness within the job market;
• Provide required support during assigned expatriate recruitment activities;

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT

 

• Using available HR data work with the team to deploy annual employee surveys to promote employee engagement within our offices;
• Ensure effective implementation of MC Kenya performance management system;
• Support management’s goal of continuous capacity development of national team members through the provision of internal and external training;
• Coordinate with HR Manager during internal compliance activities including of routine audits, investigations and disciplinary meetings;
• Alongside our legal counsel, support the management of all human resource related legal issues in compliance with Kenya labor law;
• Proactively update senior management on any issues and grievances and ensure efficient and transparent solutions that protect both Mercy Corps Kenya Team members and the organization's interests in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures;
• Promote the Mercy Corps Kenya goals and targets in support of global initiatives;
• Coordinate office/work spaces between the HR and Operations departments to foster a harmonious work environment that reinforces Mercy Corps’ culture of innovation, influence and impact

TEAM MANAGEMENT

 

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback and assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Security

 

• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Supervisory Responsibility: Human Resources Manager

Reports Directly to: Country Director

Works Directly with: Senior Management team, Global and Regional People and Talent Acquisition Team, Program and Department Leads

Knowledge and Experience

 

• Bachelor degree in relevant field; masters in Human Resource Management is highly desired;
• Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP- Kenya) is highly prefered;
• 10 - 12 years of professional HR experience, including at least 5 years in leadership positions in the practice of Human Resource Management.
• Understanding and experience navigating multiple regulatory sources (labor laws, donor requirements, etc) and developing HR policies and procedures that ensure compliance with each.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns and appropriate responses with experience in insecure environments;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
• Experience in the deployment and management of HR systems;
• Knowledge of donor regulations including USAID, EC, DFID regulations is an added advantage.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated experience in promoting and leading organizational learning, culture and wellbeing.
• Excellent oral and written in Swahili and English skills required
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.