IFRC – Senior Human Resources Officer, Country Support

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organisation established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional, country cluster and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management Services. The Secretariat’s activities globally are led by five regional offices in; Africa, America’s, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East – North Africa. IFRC’s Africa Region is in turn organized through five regional representations supporting National Societies in Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, West Coast, Sahel and Central Africa as well as eight country representations in Central African Republic (CAR), Ethiopia (AU office), Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Republic of South Sudan.

The Senior Human Resources Officer, Country Support working under the supervision of the HR Manager Africa is accountable for the provision of specific and technical human resources support to national and international IFRC staff within the mandate countries. He/She will ensure provision of efficient and cost effective services in consultation with the Africa Region HR Team. The Senior Human Resources Officer, Country Support workplan will be determined in collaboration with the Heads of Country of the designated countries.

HR Administration -– mandated countries

• Provide Managers with longer term HR planning/identification of HR needs
• Implement the recruitment process of delegates and national staff
• Ensure the proper implementation of the delegation filing system in the HR Unit
• Facilitate end of contract of employment/requests for extensions and appraisals
• Ensure the implementation of briefing and debriefing procedures – Prepare a “Welcome Package” for each arriving delegate/national staff /visitors
• Execute leave management for all staff
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely human resource reports to be shared with line manager as well as with the Africa Region HR Unit

Performance Management and Staff Development – mandated countries

• Support and advise managers and staff in performance management including handling misconduct and other forms of grievances
• Lead and mentor HR Unit Staff to ensure the highest level of performance in their respective areas of responsibility, ensuring quality service, compliance, accuracy and timeliness

Compensation and benefits to Nairobi office

• Administrate payroll for Nairobi based staff ensure statutory registration and remittances as well as medical benefits accordingly.
• As payroll and benefits focal point, maintain updated information on staff salaries, allowances and ensure compliance with current laws and regulations in close collaboration with the Regional HR focal points
• Administers staff absences for Nairobi based staff national staff
• Provides HR Metrics for the production of relevant monthly reports

National Society HR Development –– mandated countries

Provide specific HR technical support to mandate countries National Societies in creating a professional work environment that offers an opportunity for the welfare, development, and retention of staff in the following areas:

• HR planning
• Development of, or improvements to existing national staff regulations
• Recruitment, selection and placement policies and procedures
• Provide the National societies with Human Resources technical support and advise when requested

Specific HR projects – mandated countries

In collaboration with the Africa Region office, provide support and advice to the mandate countries on the following:

• Update/Drafting of staff rules and regulations
• Revision existing Compensation and benefits system

Training in Human Resource Management

 

Minimum 3 years’ experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in a developing country

Red Cross/Red Crescent knowledge and experience is an advantage

 

Ability to work in a cross-functional environment

Project management skills

Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks

Must be able to travel at short notice and to work outside normal working hours as the situation requires and under stressful working condition

Fluently spoken and written English

Core competencies: Coordination skills, Compliance to donor requirements, Able to multi-task, Strong written and verbal communication skills, Team builder, Judgement and decision making, Customer relations, Creativity and innovation, Building trust