Country Head of Human Resources

General Purpose of the Position:

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Country Head of Human Resources for JRS Lebanon leads the Human Resources function, ensuring the effective delivery of HR services across the country program. The role oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of coherent HR policies, procedures, and practices aligned with local labor laws, JRS frameworks, and operational needs, enabling staff to effectively respond to the needs of refugees and those affected by forced displacement.

Main Responsibilities of the Position:

1. Strategic HR Leadership & Governance

• Contribute to safeguarding and promoting the vision, identity, and mission of JRS Lebanon.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR strategies, standard operating procedures, and policies in alignment with local labor laws, JRS global and regional frameworks, and humanitarian standards.
• Provide strategic input into country planning and resource mobilization processes, ensuring workforce considerations, staffing structures, and people costs are reflected in country strategies, proposals, and operational plans.
• Lead workforce planning and oversee HR budgeting to ensure the organization is adequately resourced to meet its operational and strategic objectives.
• Engage with the Global HR function on workforce planning, policy development, and organizational change processes, ensuring the Lebanon country program is appropriately represented and its operational context is reflected in global decision-making.

2. HR Operations, Administration & Compliance

• Oversee and continuously improve HR operations and administrative processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across the country program.
• Ensure effective payroll management, benefits administration, and compliance with statutory obligations, including NSSF requirements.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready HR records, including staff files and organizational structures.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and systems, including attendance and leave management.
• Coordinate closely with Finance to ensure alignment of payroll, timesheets, and donor compliance requirements.
• Lead and follow up on all HR-related legal and administrative processes with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

3. Talent Management & Organizational Development

• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes and workforce planning in coordination with hiring managers and the Global HR team, ensuring timely and quality hiring.
• Oversee the development and standardization of job descriptions, grading structures, and salary scales to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
• Ensure effective onboarding and offboarding processes, including structured inductions, handovers, and exit interviews with actionable insights.
• Oversee the implementation of performance management systems, ensuring quality appraisals, feedback mechanisms, and development planning.
• Identify organizational and individual training needs and lead the design and implementation of capacity-building initiatives aligned with strategic priorities.

4. Employee Relations, Staff Care & Team Leadership

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and professional work environment through strong employee relations and engagement practices.
• Lead and manage grievance handling, disciplinary processes, and investigations, ensuring fairness, consistency, and confidentiality.
• Design and implement staff care initiatives that support employee well-being, resilience, and retention.
• Conduct regular field visits to maintain close engagement with staff and proactively address challenges.
• Line manage the Country Human Resources Officer, providing direction, supervision, and performance management.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to Field HR, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with HR standards and procedures.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the HR function at country level, setting clear objectives and ensuring high performance and accountability.
• Develop and deliver HR-related training on policies, procedures, and best practices.

5. Safeguarding

• Act as Country Safeguarding Officer, leading the implementation and continuous strengthening of safeguarding standards across JRS Lebanon in alignment with JRS MENA frameworks and international best practices.
• Promote and sustain a culture of safeguarding across the country program, ensuring safe recruitment principles are embedded in all HR practices and that safeguarding activities are integrated into programmatic work and budgeted into proposals.
• Develop and deliver safeguarding training and awareness initiatives for all JRS personnel, ensuring staff with designated safeguarding roles are equipped to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for safeguarding allegations, managing complaints end-to-end in compliance with JRS Complaints Handling Guidelines, including case management, referral, resolution, and disciplinary follow-up.
• Lead safeguarding risk assessments and mitigation planning at country level, ensuring compliance with national mandatory reporting laws and maintaining strict data protection standards.
• Liaise with the MEAL department to ensure proper functioning of reporting mechanisms, including mechanisms for receiving feedback and ensuring appropriate follow-up with people served and community members. 
• Represent JRS Lebanon in the Inter-Agency PSEA Network and relevant coordination forums, and keep senior management regularly informed of safeguarding activities, trends, and planned actions.

6. Coordination & Representation

• Collaborate closely with Country Office teams to ensure effective and responsive HR service delivery.
• Maintain strong coordination with the Regional HR department, ensuring alignment on policies, initiatives, and reporting.
• Represent JRS in relevant HR coordination forums and networks (e.g., PSEA, LHIF).
• Actively participate in internal and external meetings, planning processes, and workshops as required.
• Undertake any other duties within the scope of the role as assigned by the Country Director.

 Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes:

• University Degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or any other related field;
• At least five years of relevant managerial work experience in the area of Human Resources;
• Fluency in verbal and written Arabic and English;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Experience in leading and facilitating investigations as needed;
• Working experience with faith-based organizations is an asset;
• Demonstrable experience of, and capacity for, working collaboratively as part of a team;
• Demonstrated ability to work in limited resources settings; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills that build trust and instill confidence;
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, and work under pressure;
• Strong dedication and commitment to staff care and support;
• Excellent communication, time management, and planning skills;
• Demonstrated ability and experience of working in a multi-cultural environment; 
• Ability and willingness to travel to JRS project sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions.

Core Values and Ethics:

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High level of integrity with consistent discretion and sound judgement in handling sensitive matters.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as core values.
• Highly approachable, trustworthy, and confidential.
• High degree of professionalism and ethical standards.