Regional HR Business Partner, MENA At Search for Common Ground

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict—away from destructive approaches towards cooperative solutions. With more than 800 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 countries across the globe.

Team Summary

The Human Resources team is responsible for the management and development of employees in an organization and providing oversight for functions related to managing an organization’s human capital. These functions include Employment Regulations, Recruitment, Staffing, Talent Management, Learning and Development, Compensation, Benefits, Employee Relations, and Human Resource Information Systems. Within these functional areas, Search’s Human Resources team is focused on aligning work with organizational purpose; recruiting the best talent aligned with organizational values, understanding what candidates and employees do best and align strengths with work roles, support alignment of achievements with Search’s objectives to build success and sustainability.

The Position

The Regional HR Business Partner (RHRBP) is responsible for supporting Regional and Country office leadership and staff in strategic HR service delivery in collaboration with the HR focal person in countries. This position is a member of the Global HR Leadership Team reporting directly to the VP, HR and Administration with a matrixed reporting line to the Regional Director, MENA.

This position can be based in Amman, Jordan or one of our regional MENA offices.

Responsibilities

Support Regional and Country office leadership and staff in strategic HR service delivery in collaboration with the HR focal person in countries and HQ.
Align the organization and HR objectives (OKRs) in the region.
Serve as a business partner to management on human resource-related issues and analyze HR-related needs in the region.
Create synergy and uniformity in HR systems and practices globally and across the region to support Search culture and employer brand.

Contributions

HR Support

Provide HR guidance and partnership to RDs and Country office leadership
Advise RD and Country office leadership on workforce planning and talent development
Provide oversight for HR operations in each country within region in coordination with the local HR focal person
Provide general HR support for regional office staff
Ensure that each country has an up-to-date employee handbook and HR policies and procedures
Ensure that each office is operating in compliance with local labor laws and Code of Conduct
Manage HR investigations on misconduct that arise within region
Support the roll out of Search policies in countries
Build HR capacity in country offices
Contribute in the development of regional HR strategy, priorities and annual plan in alignment with the Global Strategy,
Support the Country Program and HR focal person in developing country’s HR strategy, plan and priorities aligning it with the regional and global HR priorities,
Develop and provide hands on support for the implementation of human resource projects and plans for all country offices including recruitment, performance management, staff development, compensation, annual employee engagement survey, benefits, learning and development, HRIS/ HRMS,
Conduct periodical HR audit to ensure HR standards are met.

Staffing – Recruitment

Oversee and coordinate staffing, succession plan and recruiting for key roles in countries in consultation with the regional, country office and HR focal person,
Supervise the recruitment process for key roles in country offices,(local, regional or international hires), ensuring HR representation in panel interviews,
Ensure that the onboarding is implemented for all new hires,
Ensure employment compliance with local labor laws, manages legal issues linked to employment and termination of contracts,
Develop and support HR plans for opening and closing of offices, handle employee relations issues linked to opening or closing of offices in coordination with local Country Rep and HR Rep,
Manages international employees and Country Director/Representatives employment relations and escalates issues as appropriate,
Manages and coordinates international assignments, partner with the relevant teams to ensure compliance and cost-effective solutions according to Search registration and when Search has no registered presence,
Partners and coordinates with the Safety and Security team to provide staff with protocols to ensure the security and safety for all staff in compliance with Search’s security framework.

Reward

Oversees the compensation & benefits program in country offices, liaise with HQ to inform on changes for international staff terms and conditions
Manage and monitor the Performance Review program, advise Line Managers on performance management issues
Coordinates regional learning and development in collaboration with Global HR Business Partner Lead: Talent Management

Staff transitions

Conducts Exit interviews with key staff,
Ensures reporting of activities quarterly from Country Programs; compiles and analyses such information and reports to the HQ HR.

Capacity Building

Provide coaching, advice, guidance and training on HR Global policies and standards and best practices to HR teams and to Regional and SMT country offices,
Provide technical assistance to the Country HR focal person in rolling out global policies, implementing HR standards and in revising of national HR policies aligned to Search policies and procedures,
Ensure that Country team is well trained on organizational values so that all staff is trained on Search values, Code of Conduct and related policies,
Facilitate secondment of staff within the region/inter region as a part of talent management and cross-sharing and support,
Oversee the organizational culture across the region and report any non-compliance,
Coach and train all staff involved in recruitment on best practice and equal opportunities as per Search policy.

Linkages and Network

Build and maintain relationship and coordination mechanism with other I/NGOs working in the region.
Infuse organizational values into all work
Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.

Type and Nature of Contacts

Routinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.
Represents, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.
Interacts with the country office and regional staff.

Education and Experience

Typically BS/BA with minimum 9 years’ experience that includes:

Working as an HR generalist with knowledge across all functions of HR
Working in within the international non-governmental organization community
Regional level support and consultation to leadership
Proficiency in English and Arabic

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Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel internationally at least 20%.

Supervisory and Budget Responsibility

May supervise one or more staff members.

This position will remain open until filled. Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.