Human Resources Manager At Partners of the Americas

Human Resources Manager

Partners of the Americas (Partners) is seeking a Human Resources Manager (HRM) for a USDA-funded Food for Progress project in Tunisia. The project seeks to increase agricultural productivity through the adoption of climate-smart agriculture methods and technologies in the dates and non-dates complementary crop sectors and increase agricultural trade in dates and non-dates complementary crop sectors from the oasis agriculture system.

The HRM manages and oversees Human Resources (HR) practices across the board and introduces workplace policies for Tunisia project implementation. The HRM is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day HR functions are performed in accordance with Partners policies and procedures and HR best practices and providing direct guidance to Chief of Party and staff on HR policies and procedures. The HRM will lead HR activities including recruitment, selection, hiring, payroll, training, development, performance, well-being and health, and safety in compliance with local labor regulations and Partners´ policies. The HRM is responsible for outlining corrective actions to resolve workplace issues, employee relations, and sustainable recruitment policies and strategies. The HRM will provide managers with clear evaluation guidelines and excellency standards to ensure all applicants meet the desired criteria. Additionally, the HRM will review employees’ performance and develop training sessions as needed to increase productivity, reduce turnover, and boost employee morale and work satisfaction. The HRM will work in conjunction with Home Office HR and Community of Practice to ensure compliance and best practices.

The HRM will be based in Tunis, Tunisia with occasional travel to other parts in the country. This position will report to the Chief of Party.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes critical HR systems in-country such as employment agreement, HR supplemental manual, salary scale, fringe benefits, HRIS database, payroll provider in correlation with Chief of Party (COP), the Finance and Administration (F&A) Director, and the Home Office as part of the start-up phase of the project.
• Leads, in coordination with the Finance and Administration (F&A) Director, the HR area for the project.
• Implements and manages the entire HR cycle and processes, such as but not limited to, recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, benefits, performance, discipline actions, professional development, promotions and salary increases, organizational restructuring, offboarding and among others guaranteeing compliance with the rules established by USDA, local laws, and Partners
• Maintains HR records up to date, organized and with all necessary information for all project employees, ensuring confidentiality.
• Trains staff on and reinforces rules and regulations of the U.S. government (USG), USDA, and Partners HR issues for the project, including annual training as required on issues of sexual and workplace harassment, code of conduct, among others.
• Maintains close communication with the F&A Director, Chief of Party (COP), and Home Office, as necessary, on sensitive issues related to HR.
• Ensures compliance with all laws, including local Tunisian laws, in Partners’ practices and reporting.
• Promotes and implements best practices to ensure an excellent work environment and professional development of staff.
• Monitors, through surveys and interviews, the satisfaction of project personnel to serve as relevant decision-making information regarding working conditions and work environment.
• Resolves problems that may arise related to HR and promotes dignified and favorable policies for the project’s employees to increase their satisfaction, productivity and performance.
• Monitors and follows up on critical HR issues such as probationary periods, performance evaluations, performance monitoring and improvement plans, promotions and salary increases, organizational restructuring, among others.
• Collaborates with the COP, the F&A Director, and the Partners home office in making necessary adjustments to the organizational chart and human resources related policies and procedures including but not limited to recruitment, selection, training, benefits, professional development and others.
• Collaborates with other Partners HR managers to unify and implement personnel-related processes and procedures.
• Develops and improves internal employee communications.
• Manages benefits administration, broker negotiations, and open enrollment.
• Anticipates and mitigates human resources risks including the physical and emotional safety of personnel.
• Supports to define job descriptions and profiles, ensuring that the profile and design of the positions are in accordance with Partners policies and the immediate needs of the project.
• Ensures wide circulation of published project positions in relevant media platforms for Tunisia and maintains organized records of all applicants in the project files.
• Maintains continuous communication with finalists selected in recruitment processes until the position has been filled and the opening is closed.
• Supports in convening selection committees and establishing the mechanism for committee members to provide feedback and rate applicants.
• Performs the required vetting of selected candidates.
• Requests documentation for the verification of information and preparation of the corresponding contract, in accordance with internal guidelines.
• Supports safety and health management in-country.
• Performs entries and updates to the payroll software and follow up on the affiliations.
• Reviews and collaborates with the team on the monthly settlement of payroll, social security, and other procedures related to payments of the HR area.
• Conducts onboarding of new personnel and delivers all internal policies and reports.
• Requests, reviews, and carries out necessary procedures for the correct termination of labor contracts.
• To prepare the other related to the modifications of labor contracts.
• Tends to HR requests from project employees.
• Manages the necessary medical attention in case of work accidents and follows up on the compliance of medical indications by the workers.
• In collaboration with the F&A Director, every year and before the due date, manages and delivers the certificates of income and withholdings of the employees.
• Leads the process of review and timely payment of severance payments and interest on severance payments

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related discipline
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in human resources, legal and/or personnel management, payroll, affiliations, disability, recruitment, filing, hiring and occupational health and safety
• Familiarity with recruitment and screening techniques and practices
• Demonstrated technical HR skills required related to HR processes and proficiency in HR Information Systems
• Knowledge of U.S. government (USG) policies and regulations, specifically 2CFR200
• Experience in human talent management
• In-depth knowledge of labor and administrative laws and regulations in Tunisia.
• Technical knowledge of archiving and document systematization
• Ability to multitask and process information quickly and exhibit strong attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving ability, outstanding interpersonal skills, and high energy and enthusiasm
• Oral and written proficiency in French
• Excellent organization and time management skills, with ability to prioritize effectively and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to track and report on progress
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and people skills, effective in internal and external relations

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related discipline
• Prior experience in a nonprofit organization, USG program implementation experience
• Oral and written proficiency in English
• Experience in the Human Resources area of international development projects and/or international cooperation
• Knowledge of USDA-specific rules and regulations
• Experience in public and private procurement rules and processes

Type of contract: fixed (to be transferred to indefinite)

Grade of position: C

Partners is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Partners does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.