Human Resources Manager

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has been running community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. Recently, the program portfolio has expanded in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, including grants from UNICEF, the European Commission, Canadian, UK and American governments, and private foundations.  The conflict that began more than four years ago in Syria has resulted in a steady increase of Syrian refugees to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.  To date, more than one million refugees have fled to Lebanon. As numbers have continued to increase, humanitarian conditions are deteriorating. The burden on host communities and the financial and emotional stress on refugees and their hosts is tremendous. Mercy Corps is responding to these needs by addressing urgent basic needs, child protection as well as the psychosocial impact of the conflict and displacement.  At the same time, Mercy Corps’ programmatic focus is on mitigating social tensions between hosts and refugees, particularly over economic resources, by addressing both livelihood opportunities, conflict mitigation capacity and local government capacity. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Provide oversight to the management of human resources for Mercy Corps programming in Lebanon; Assist in the achievement of MC program objectives with the facilitation of recruitment, remuneration, staff development issues and capacity building in the Human Resource Development and employee separation.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Lead the review and upgrade of MC Lebanon’s personnel manual (national staff handbook) Review current HR policies and practices, identify challenges in current HR systems in consultation with heads of departments and suggest improvements if needed to MC Lebanon’s Senior Management Team.                                Lead and coordinate the expatriate staff formalities’ application related to visas, residencies and work permits as needed. Ensure the recruitment of national staff adheres to the standard Recruiting Policies and Procedures in accordance with Mercy Corps Lebanon’s personnel manual and Labor Law and fair and equitable selection and compensation decisions are made during recruitment process. Ensure participation of HR Department in interviews for new staff. Ensure salaries and benefits adhere to Mercy Corps’ salary scale and practices. Ensure Mercy Corps Lebanon personnel policies strictly adhere to the Lebanese labor law as applicable. Maintain a tracking system for staff leave. Ensure proper staff performance management and that employee performance evaluations (annual and probationary) are completed as scheduled. Ensure that all national staff have an up-to-date relevant job descriptions and maintain and up-to-date organizational chart. Maintain annual holiday schedule and make sure that staff are appropriately informed. Oversee the monthly submission of timesheets for all staff including collection, review and compilation into payroll and train new staff on timesheet completion and submission procedures. Maintain national staff personnel files as per MC policies and as stipulated by labor law. Ensuring an adequate on boarding orientation and induction program is being implemented and is adhered to. Perform and manage retention, job rotation and HR succession planning. Advise staff (national and international) on MC Lebanon’s HR policies and procedures. Assist the Senior Management Team in identifying and/or arranging for trainings and/or other human resource development activities. Oversee the clearance of terminated/resigned employees, as per MC Lebanon policies and procedures. Participate in hiring, disciplinary and termination meetings with program staff in accordance with Mercy Corps’ rules and regulations. Maintain confidentiality of staff personnel issues including disciplinary procedures and other information. Seek advice from Mercy Corps’ legal advisor and follow up on all official personnel related matters. Support staff in preparation and pursuit of their personal/career development plans. Manage the Human Resources Department in ensuring quality employee relations. Coordinate with Mercy Corps Headquarters HR Department and seek advice as needed. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit toMercy Corpsand to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. Ensure that everything in HR Department is in compliant and aligned to MC’s mission, vision, rules and regulations and Lebanon Labor Law. Other duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Senior HR Officer, HR Officer and other HR staff. ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance Department, Programs Department KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Education at least bachelor’s degree or specialization in HR management or equivalent; Advance knowledge of written and spoken English is essential; Previous experience managing heading the HR department of large teams (150 staff +) , INGO experience preferred; Outstanding leadership and communication skills