STA – Human Resources Specialist

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 / Team

Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With offices in Bangui, Bouar, Bambari, Bangassou and Berbérati, Mercy Corps strives to integrate short-term multisectoral humanitarian assistance into programs aimed at strengthening community resilience and support economic development focused on strengthening markets, with a cross-cutting focus on governance and gender. Mercy Corps takes a sustainable approach to its programming, seeking to change behaviors and strengthen institutions to foster long-term development in the areas of protection and gender-based violence, governance, access to water and sanitation, social cohesion and socioeconomic recovery activities after the crisis. Mercy Corps in CAR takes an integrated approach to achieve the greatest possible impact and ensure its sustainability.

Funding comes from various donors, including USAID / BHA, European Commission, CHF, United Nations agencies, CDCS and private foundations.

Mercy Corps plays a key role in coordination with other NGOs and United Nations bodies, in particular by being a member of the executive committee of the CCO (Coordination Committee of INGOs), the coordination platform for international NGOs in the CAR made up of 52 organizations. , and by actively participating in national sectoral clusters and working groups.

The Position

The Human Resources Specialist (STA / short term assignment) will provide technical support for 12 weeks to the Human Resources department of Mercy Corps in the Central African Republic. He / She must ensure that effective human resource management systems (guidelines, rules and procedures) are well established and respected by all staff (national and international). He / She will also provide technical support during the next audit (November 2021) and will be the focal point with the HR Officer, the HR assistant and the other members of the HR team in Bangui or in the field.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Help the Country Director set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve goals and contribute to the development of the country-wide strategy.

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Be the HR focal point for the next audit in November 2021, while including and involving other members of the HR team in Bangui and / or in the field.

• Help maintain HR files and archives in accordance with MC guidelines

• Contribute to the implementation of the human resources management component of the country’s strategic plan;

• Help ensure that best human resource management practices are available and applied to all Mercy Corps CARs (recruitment, onboarding and orientation, mandatory courses and training, performance management, internal movement, exit process, etc.);

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacities of the members of the HR team, in particular the HR manager based in Bangui and all other HR focal points in the field.

• Ensure a high level of trust and communication between field offices and HR staff in the field.

Supervisory Responsibility

HR Officer, HR Assistant, with technical support to the field HR focal points in Bambari, Beberati, Bangassou et Bouar.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: HR Lead

Works directly with: Country management team, CAR human resources staff, Head of offices, operations and any other departments as needed.

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.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

● 3-5 years of HR field experience with Mercy Corps and other INGOs with supervisory responsibilities.

● Demonstrated understanding of the complex environment, related security issues and appropriate responses with experience in an insecure context.

● Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and solving problems in an independent and cooperative manner.

● Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures required.

● Efficient organization, prioritization and management of results.

● Excellent spoken and written French skills required.

● Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

• Effective communication skills both verbal and written, multitasking, organizational, and prioritization are required;

• Demonstrate attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with other team members;

• Awareness and sensitivity to multicultural work – development and ability to form and facilitate dialogue between a diverse group of people with diverse skills and working styles;

• Ability to creatively solve problems, juggle multiple priorities within tight deadlines, and calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events that could impact business;

• Patience, honesty, integrity, tenacity.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The STA HR Specialist will be based in Bangui, RCA in group accommodation, with possible field travel.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency during and in working hours when deployed in the field. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to the laws, customs and MC policies, procedures and values ​​at all times and in all locations nationwide. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of the Mercy Corps vision. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer, regardless of origin. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.