International Human Resources Adviser

About Saferworld

Saferworld is an independent international organisation that works to prevent and reduce violent conflict and promote co-operative approaches to security. We work with civil society, international organisations and governments to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development and through supporting the actions of others.

Over the last five years Saferworld has grown significantly in terms of resources and staff and we now have over 200 colleagues spread across 12 country programme offices.  Saferworld’s staff are at the heart of our work and their skills and expertise ensure we continue to function as a leading conflict prevention and peacebuilding organisation. As we evolve and grow, we want to ensure our programmes, research and capacity interventions retain their quality, stay rooted in the voices of people living in conflict, and ensure our staff are motivated and challenged in their work.

About the role

Working closely with the Head of People and Culture, the post holder will provide expert HR advice and support to a number of Saferworld’s country offices and HQ departments, consistent with the organisation’s core values and in support of its overall vision and mission. Through a business partnering approach, the Adviser will help managers take responsibility for the application of Saferworld’s HR strategy and policies and other key aspects of people issues covering the full employee life cycle. This will be delivered through mentoring and capacity strengthening; advising on good practice to embed and operationalise HR policies; and by contributing to the continuous improvement of HR systems and practices. This role is also expected, together with the other HR Adviser, to lead on a number of HR areas and projects, for example reward, L&D, recruitment and wellbeing.

Key areas of responsibility

1.  HR support to country offices

• Communicate the overall HR strategy and plans to country offices
• Develop and implement a global HR framework across all country offices
• Maintain oversight of the global HR framework and the minimum standards expected
• Support the development of locally specific policies and procedures in accordance with the global HR framework and local employment law
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with managers and locally based HR focal points
• Support the country HR focal points by providing expert advice across the employee life cycle:
• team design and forward hiring plans
• interview and recruitment techniques and selection strategies
• team building and management skills
• performance management methods and evaluation uptake
• staff learning and development
• staff wellbeing

• Build the capacity of the country HR focal points through training and mentoring
• Ensure country offices are kept abreast of organisational HR developments
• Ensure that the HRIS in country offices is kept up-to-date and used to its maximum potential
• Support allocated line managers in the London office on their HR-related challenges

1. Global HR strategy development and advice

• Contribute to the development of the global HR strategy and the translation into action plans and activities
• Lead on the development and maintenance of global strategies, processes and policies around particular HR topics as allocated
• Ensure that global initiatives include local considerations and ensure appropriate input
• Contribute to the design and on-going improvement of other human resource policies and practices
• Keep up to date with changes in international HR practice and analyse trends and their potential impact on Saferworld
• Identify opportunities to develop and improve HR practice in the organisation
• Contribute to the development and implementation of an organisation-wide HR reporting framework
• Undertake projects with the HR team as requested by the Head of People & Culture

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge

• Previous relevant HR experience, ideally in an internationally focused HR role
• Experience of working in an international NGO including an understanding of differences in HR practice in the international context
• Experience acting as a business partner and adviser to HR managers and/or senior staff
• Experience of working with international country offices and overseas employment laws
• Experience in building effective and sustainable teams / supporting others to build effective and sustainable teams in complex conflict-affected contexts

Experience

• CIPD membership at Chartered or Fellow level or equivalent experience
• Sound and up-to-date understanding of HR and organisational development practices, including but not limited to resourcing, pay and benefits, recruitment.

Abilities and skills

• Communicate sensitively and effectively with a wide range of people, including across cultures and with those at a distance
• Ability to use creativity to solve problems and overcome obstacles to deliver quality HR support and advice in challenging legal, administrative and security environments
• Sensitive to context, the local environments our staff come from, local dynamics that drive conflict and division, and power imbalances
• Willing and able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, and demonstrate flexibility.
• Able to undertake travel to difficult locations, sometimes at short notice
• Able to work out of hours during any emergency or critical incident
• Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles