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.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response. Mercy Corps is looking for a dynamic and passionate Human Resources Director to lead the people function of its operation in Ethiopia.

General Position Summary

The Human Resources Director provides leadership of the human resource and organizational development function in Mercy Corps Ethiopia. S/he will drive excellence in all people functions of all offices in Ethiopia through: 1) Developing and implementing people strategy as well as systems and processes, 2) Leading talent development and initiatives, 3) Promote a healthy working environment through building a culture of trust, accountability and mutual respect.

This position ensures the overall provision of a high level standard of HR services, policies, and programs for the Ethiopia Country Office. This includes developing, implementing and overseeing HR processes and procedures in accordance with the national policy, laws and standards and Mercy Corps policies and procedures; leadership of the People Team as well as support initiatives and projects aimed at ensuring the MC Ethiopia Team is implementing the Global Mercy Corps’ People Team Strategy while ensuring compliance with all donor policies. The People Director works closely with senior management team in making strategic investments and exploring opportunities for talent development. S/he will work closely with all staff to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in HR procedures.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

• Develop and implement a country People Strategy for Mercy Corps Ethiopia and liaise with global, regional and country offices to support and contribute to global/regional People/HR strategy;
• Establish annual Human Resources work plan, set priorities, monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and set standards;
• Support all Human Resources processes for national staff holding global and regional roles;
• Support and contribute to the development and implementation of Mercy Corps Ethiopia strategy;
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all Mercy Corps Ethiopia Human Resources processes;
• Develop, implement and monitor the interpretation and application of Ethiopia labor laws, human resources systems, practices and procedures as well as complementary procedures that reflect the needs of programming as required;
• Ensure that the National Employee Handbook is updated and revised in line with the Labor Law and that clarity is provided accordingly;
• Remain informed, on an ongoing basis, about current and changing HR related laws, policies and “best practices” to ensure that current and future staff policies, employment practices, and compensation packages are within the limits of established standards,
• Advise departments on organizational structure challenges and improvements.

CULTURE

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and continued learning;
• Promote Mercy Corps values and core behaviors

TALENT ACQUISITION AND ONBOARDING

• Help design optimal program and shared services staffing plans to deliver programs and strategy effectively;
• Support the Human Resources team to develop and implement a country-level recruitment strategy that is inclusive of gender and diversity including setting clear performance indicators and regularly monitoring progress;
• Ensure recruiting and hiring practices are in compliance with government regulations and organizational policies;
• Ensure all hiring requests are completed according to Recruitment Policies and Procedures;
• Ensure that exit process for staff departing Mercy Corps is conducted in line with the HR policies and Mercy Corps requirements;
• Ensure strategic reviews of the organizational charts and structure for all positions across all programs and departments are conducted on a regular basis, covered within budgets and shared with the team
• Oversee the implementation of consistent systems in the orientation and induction of new team members;

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Support in implementation of country level compensation in line with Global Compensation philosophy
• Ensure all country staff are covered on all relevant insurances
• Benchmark and review the salary scale and benefits packages against the market to ensure competitiveness;
• Conduct job evaluations on new and existing positions and manage country wide job audits to ensure equity and competitiveness within the job market;

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT

• Using available HR data work with the team to deploy annual employee surveys to promote employee engagement across all offices in Ethiopia;
• Ensure effective implementation of MC Ethiopia performance management system;
• Support management’s goal of continuous capacity development of team members through the provision of internal and external training;
• Coordinate with Human Resources team during internal compliance activities including of routine audits, investigations and disciplinary meetings;
• Alongside our legal advisor, support the management of all human resource related legal issues in compliance with Ethiopia labor law;
• Proactively update senior management on any issues and grievances and ensure efficient and transparent solutions that protect both Mercy Corps Ethiopia Team members and the organization’s interests in accordance with policies, regulations and procedures;
• Promote the Mercy Corps Ethiopia goals and targets in support of global initiatives;
• Coordinate office/work spaces between the HR and Operations departments to foster a harmonious work environment that reinforces Mercy Corps’ culture

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback and assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Security

• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Supervisory Responsibility: Human Resources Team

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Country Director

Works Directly with: Senior Management team, Global and Regional People and Talent Acquisition Team, Program and Department Leads

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.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 10 years of professional Human Resources experience, including a minimum of 5 years in senior leadership positions in Human Resource Management.
• Bachelor degree in relevant field; masters in Human Resource Management is highly desired;
• Understanding and experience navigating multiple regulatory sources including labor laws, donor requirements, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in promoting and leading organizational learning, culture and wellbeing.
• Experience in the deployment and management of HR systems;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns and appropriate responses with experience in insecure environments;
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required
• Ability to work effectively work in a diverse team environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.
• Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) is highly preferred;

Success Factors

The Human Resources Director has superb skills, experience and passion for developing strategy and processes, promoting culture of wellbeing. S/he will possess critical problem solving skills, and the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. A successful candidate will have the ability to maintain strong cooperating relationships and interact effectively with international and national staff as well as capacity building and demonstrate ability to multitask, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will have the ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly fluid work environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.