Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Manager

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal – with field visits as require
Position Status: Full-time, Regular

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, youth engagement, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

The Human Resources Department in Mercy Corps Nepal is responsible for providing effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support. This includes but is not limited to talent acquisition & development, onboarding, timely facilitation and oversight of performance management, compensation & benefits administration, disciplinary & grievance handling, team data management, update of required HR Policies & Procedures in line with local law and Global MC requirement as well as successful off-boarding of all team members. More recently, gender, diversity, and inclusion, as well as safeguarding, have become key agency priorities for which the HR department plays a key role.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading all the Human Resources functions in Mercy Corps Nepal. S/he is under the leadership of the Country Director and will provide oversight to the management of human resources for Mercy Corps programming in Nepal. As a part of the Nepal Management Team (SMT), this position will assist in the achievement of MC program objectives with the facilitation of recruitment, remuneration, and staff development issues in the Human Resource Department.
S/he must ensure that the system of human resources (global rules and procedures) is well established and well adhered to by all team members in Nepal. They will manage the overall operation of the HR in the Kathmandu office and provide the necessary support to all field offices working closely with the representatives in the field. In addition to leading core HR policies and procedures, the Human Resource Manager serves to support a positive employee culture, and both lead initiatives to support and enhance a considerate, professional, and inclusive culture, as well as be a trusted and safe individual resource for staff as needed.

As gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding are crucial cross-cutting components of the MC programs, the Human Resources Manager is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, and good governance practices in their day-to-day functions and team. In addition, the Human Resources Manager is also expected to contribute to ensuring GESI and good governance at the institutional level.

Safeguarding Focal Point

This Human Resource Manager role also serves as one of two Safeguarding Focal Points within the Mercy Corps Nepal team. The Safeguarding Focal Point is a designated person who will coordinate, support, and advise on the implementation of Mercy Corps’ commitment to mainstreaming Safeguarding in-country program operations. Through his/her work and support of Safeguarding efforts, the Safeguarding Focal Point will assist in various ways, spending approximately 25 percent of its time on this.
The Safeguarding Focal Point will be responsible for promoting safeguarding policies and assisting in promoting the prevention of sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, and abuse (PSEA).

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Human Resources Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategy & Vision

•  Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to developing a countrywide HR strategy and ensuring the HR structure is optimal.
• Participate in proposal and budget development process to ensure appropriate HR structure is in place at the project level.
•  Liaise with HQ, regional, and country offices to support and contribute to HR strategy implementation.
•  Develop, implement and monitor the interpretation and application of new human resources systems, practices, and procedures.
• Identify weaknesses in current HR systems. Advise supervisor on outstanding issues and assist in designing and implementing, as required.

HR Management

• Oversee all HR functions and manage the work plan of the HR Department in Mercy Corps Nepal by Nepal Labor Law and procedures of Mercy Corps.
• Develop, implement and administer effective human resource programs including recruitment, orientation, performance evaluation, career development, training, diversity training, risk management, database management, and safety programs.
• Where needed, supervise or contribute to the investigation and conclusion of HR-related complaint cases.

Policy and Procedures

•  Implement and evaluate the National Staff Policy Handbook. Ensure all new team members receive a copy of the National Staff Policy Handbook and are informed of their benefits. Continue with support and advice on policies, as required.
•  Ensure compliance with HR Policy & Procedures in Mercy Corps Nepal Offices. Any discrepancies must be reported in writing to Country Director Nepal and take action to rectify the process
• Evaluate all HR policies and procedures, and recommend changes required to new or existing to the Management Team.
•  Remain informed, on an ongoing basis, about current and changing HR-related laws, policies, and “best practices” to ensure that current and future personnel policies, employment practices, and compensation packages are within the limits of established standards, procedures, guidelines, and policies of Mercy Corps, as well as national laws.
•  Hiring and Onboarding
• Be responsible for implementing a transparent, balanced, and inclusive recruitment process, including establishing the interview committee and ensuring the proper paperwork and procedures are in place. Where needed, supervise HR team members to maintain Job/ Personnel files as per defined protocols
• Help design optimal program and shared services staffing plans
• Organize, lead and document post-recruitment conversations with managers and candidates.
•  Be responsible for the smooth and sound onboarding of all new team members in Mercy Corps Nepal, either directly or via other HR staff members.
• Ensure that new employees/guests receive a welcome pack and other essential Mercy Corps information briefs. Ensure that the welcome packs are kept up to date.

Performance Management

• Ensure that team member and their supervisors understand the importance of performance evaluations and ensure their accurate and timely completion;
•  Ensure all team members are effectively using the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and managers are regularly providing constructive feedback. Provide training and guidance when necessary – including period training to all levels of management as required
• Analyze and finalize the submitted performance evaluations and provide clear recommendations as required
•  Ensure that all national team members have an up-to-date and relevant job description;
•  Monitor employee concerns, complaints, and counseling needs and coordinate internal investigations and hearings with appropriate personnel and management.
• Advise and support supervisors on disciplinary procedures. Provide guidance and necessary support in this process. Participate in disciplinary, hiring, and termination meetings with program staff as required;
•  Proactively update senior management on any issues & grievances and ensure efficient and transparent solutions that protect both Mercy Corps Nepal Team members and Mercy Corps interests by policies, regulations, and procedures, and global guidelines in terms of safeguarding.

Compensation & Benefits

• Ensure the payroll is delivered promptly to finance for allocation and timely disbursement of salaries;
•  Ensure salaries and benefits adhere to Mercy Corps salary scales and standing protocols.
•  Coordinate and monitor the compensation and benefits for all employees and ensure consistency, equity, and fairness in the organization and comparability with other appropriate organizations.
• Conduct periodic salary and benefit surveys with the INGOs to help ensure consistency and equity within the organization and appropriate comparability with peer organizations;
•  Ensure smooth and timely administration of compensation and benefits for MC Nepal staff

HR General

•  Develop and maintain a comprehensive dashboard for HR, to ensure follow-up and analysis are updated on a weekly and monthly basis
• Ensure that all HR-related paperwork, personnel files, and other documents are complete, maintained, and updated.
• Provide direct support to other MC Nepal offices and ensure all offices meet minimum HR standards.
• Together with the GESI focal point, develop a GESI integration plan, track progress, and document GESI learnings regularly.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when a crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As MC employees, all staff is expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities in such situations.
• Maintain confidentiality of all national staff personnel issues including disciplinary procedures and contracts/ pay rates.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Supervise the HR Officer, for support to the more administrative aspects of the manager role.
• Liaise with HQ HR teams on a variety of strategic initiatives, including building and rollout of HQ- driven strategic initiatives, and support the rollout of new policies or tools.
• Manage all aspects of HR in emergencies, when emergency response is activated and team members are allocated to short-term emergency roles.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire, and orient new team members as necessary.
•  Support management’s goal of continuous capacity development of national staff through the provision of internal and external training.
•  During all parts of the human resource life cycle, promote the Mercy Corps Nepal’s goals and targets for gender equity and cultural diversity
• Manage and maintain office/workspaces in such a way that fosters a harmonious work environment that reinforces Mercy Corps’ culture of innovation, influence, and impact
• Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance.
• Work closely with finance/compliance to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest, and legal ramifications of Mercy Corps activities.
•  Support and orient on MC Code of Ethics and uphold Mercy Corps’ Zero tolerance of corruption policy.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Influence & Representation

•  Represent Mercy Corps on any external HR and Administration related forums, meetings, coordination, etc.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

•  Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
•  Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

• HR Officer and HR Assistant in Kathmandu; dotted line responsibility for the HR functions with the Admin and Logs Officers in field offices.

Supervisory Responsibility

Accountability

•  Reports Directly To Country Director
•  Works Directly With Country Leadership Team, Head of Offices, Director of Programs, Operations Manager, Finance Manager, HQ Senior Global HR Officer, Program Managers

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s or equivalent in Management, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields. Master’s in human resources management preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of HR experience with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
•  Experience in analysis of HR data, on–the–ground HR thinking, and strategic decision making.
• Excellent negotiation, representation, skills, and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
•  Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Prior experience in Safeguarding implementation (prevention of, and management of, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse).
• Prior experience in salary scale revisions, policy reviews and updates, and leading other strategic HR change initiatives.
• Demonstrated results in leading or contributing to GDI-related Initiatives.
• Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.
•  Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Advance knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Human Resources Manager will be good at problem-solving and can work out new ways to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with MC and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel while demonstrating the ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities. They will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion are a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status, or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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.

Application Method

Please refer to www.p2p.com.np. Interested applicants are requested to go to the apply section of the link and submit their updated resumes and cover letter by COB January 7, 2024.