Job Description

Position Title: Senior Human Resource Officer

Location: Mogadishu

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

  About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been operating in Somalia since 2008. With a staff of over 100 people and programs operating throughout the country, Mercy Corps’ overall country goal is building a peaceful and prosperous Somalia where all people feel secure, are economically empowered, and are meaningfully engaged. Mercy Corps’ current portfolio in Somalia focuses on humanitarian response and resilience; inclusive economic growth; enhancing trust and accountability between communities and their government; and improving youth livelihood and education opportunities. All Mercy Corps interventions in Somalia are implemented in a conflict and gender sensitive manner. The Human Resource Department is responsible for providing effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps Somalia. This includes but is not limited to: Talent Acquisition & Development, employee engagement coordination; country wide training &learning management; compensation & benefits administration; performance management oversight; disciplinary & grievance handling; staff data management: staff disengagement management.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Senior Human Resource officer (SHRO) is responsible for enabling the Human Resource activities in the South-Central Somalia country offices and/or in any other location as assigned by the HR Manager.  S/he reports directly to the Human Resource Manager and ensures effective systems that support the overall human resource strategy for healthy, robust and integrated functions of local team members within the organization under the supervision of the Human Resource Manager. The position provides tactical supervision of the human resource team/focal points and needs to ensure efficient and effective operations in country offices as assigned. The candidate is required to be based in Mogadishu with frequent travel to other field offices.  S/he will have to show full adherence to Mercy Corps procedures and security protocols.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY:

• In close collaboration with the HRM and team members participate in the development, implementation, and administration of departmental goals and objectives.
• Support the HR Manager/department in successful implementation, adherence, and common understanding of Mercy Corps HR Policies in all Mercy Corps Somalia offices.
• Work with the HR Manager/ team to build a strong, collaborative and motivated Mercy Corps office culture in Somalia, including participating in and leading on team training and team building initiatives
• Take part in any HRM assigned strategy assignment and work.

HR MANAGEMENT:

• Serve under the direction of the HR Manager to process and properly document all daily HR activities, efficient and timely manner.
• Develop, implement, and administer effective human resource programs including recruitment, orientation, performance evaluation, career development, training, diversity training, risk management and safety programs as assigned.
• 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 Somalia, as well as national laws.
• Maintain appropriate records and ensure confidentiality regarding personnel activities and personnel data including employment documentation, evaluations, exit interviews and other relevant information. Participate in orientation of new personnel with respect to HR policies and procedures, including remuneration, benefits, and organizational "work ethic",
• Ensure new staff are guided on the talent development platform and on any other HR promoted systems as and when assigned. Monitor and ensure completion of all MC Mandatory onboarding and Safeguarding courses within one week of hire and full use of assigned MC offices. Proactively, update HR Manager on staff issues &grievances and feedback from assigned MC offices. Provide a broad range of in-person field HR support, including support in performance management, grievance management, and team engagement in assigned MC offices.
• Participate and assist new employees in their orientation process by ensuring that the information, office equipment, sitting arrangements are in place before the new employee reports to work.
• Responsible for issuing and processing end of service documents to all departing staff asper MC policy. Assist HR Manager in preparing information on pay changes, evaluations and other financial activities that are reflected on payroll or in employee files.
• Coordinate paperwork for temporary employees including Interns.
• Maintain and report employee statistical data, as requested.
• Distribute, review and collect completed employee timesheets asper organizational policy.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned

COMPLIANCE:

• Ensure adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals.
• Maintain confidentiality of all national staff personnel issues including disciplinary procedures and contracts/ pay rates
• Ensure all HR activities adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming where applicable.

SECURITY

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

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIERIES

• 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 project
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in al in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

• The Senior Human Resource Officer (SHRO) will supervise and oversee the officers and assistant offices in the assigned duty stations in Somalia and/or as assigned by the HR manager/ country management.

Accountability

Reports Directly To:  Human Resource Manager

Works Directly With: The HR officers, other support/operation department officers/ assistant officers, the finance team, administration teams, program teams and other country teams.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Experiences and Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience Required:

• University bachelor’s degree preferably in administration, Business Administration, Human Resource and any other or relevant experience required
• 3-4 years of professional experience with at least 2 years of progressive and hands-on HR generalist experience evident in multiple human resource disciplines, including compensation practices, organizational diagnosis, employee and union relations, diversity, performance management, and relevant employment laws
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Knowledge of HR systems required
• Demonstrated excellence in human resource management, particularly in a multi-cultural environment, including staff training, motivation, and handling discipline related cases.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.                       
• Good negotiation, representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse team.
• A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process formation into action as to not delay program activities
• Strong organizational skills, ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is desired
• Advanced proficiency to use computers i.e use of MS office applications/ programs is desired
• Strong Somali language skills with experience of working in Somalia is required 

Success Factors

The successful candidate will be proactive, creative and a problem solver. S/he will be conscientious with an excellent sense of judgment. S/he will be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and will be capable of multitasking. S/he will demonstrate strong understanding of cultural and social environment in the region and have the willingness and ability to work effectively with a wide verity of people.

  Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This national position will be primary be based in Mogadishu but will be required to support other country offices when required and as assigned by the HR Manager which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.  The supervisory assignments can also be changed as and when needed based on country offices support needs/ restructuring. Mobility in Somalia is restricted and must first be cleared with the Security Advisor and/or country director.  The standard Somali workweek is Sunday – Thursday.  Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when working at any duty station. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures and values et all times and in all in-country.

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 is 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 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 on the basis of 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 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 in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to 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.

Skills Required

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