Human Resources Specialist (Ukraine Response)

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is currently seeking a talented professional for the role of a Human Resources Specialist – Disaster Response. Reporting to the Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP), the position will ensure HFHI has the management, technical and human resources capacity to strengthen HFHI Disaster Response in the Ukraine Emergency Response Program. This position is responsible for supporting the overall HR needs for the disaster response, working closely with staff in the country of the disaster response, HFHI’s Area office in Bratislava and the Global People team (Global HR team).

This position will be based in Bratislava, Slovakia with up to 10% travel.

ABOUT HABITAT’S RESPONSE TO THE UKRAINE CRISIS:

As millions of refugees flee violence in Ukraine, Habitat for Humanity is on the ground in four neighboring countries – Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia – helping meet the shelter needs of displaced families. We are supporting refugees on the move, supplying them with emergency travel kits and hotel vouchers. Habitat is also working on mid- and long-term accommodations for refugees, by subsidizing rentals, refurbishing communal spaces that can act as shelter and supporting mid-term hosting arrangements with families who have opened up their homes. We also plan to lend our housing and construction expertise to partners who repurpose so-called empty spaces – such as unused schools and factories – to serve as shelter for refugees.

Key Responsibilities:

Analysis of Current and Future Human Resources Needs

• Contribute to plan and define the HR needs in collaboration with the in-country leadership analyzing local capacities and supporting on identifying the optimum team set-up to properly achieve response objectives
• Coordinate with national organizations to define HR strategies at country levels to ensure the national organizations have the capacities and competencies needed, in the short, mid, and long term (recruitment, remuneration, management and learning development plans etc.)
• Provide advice and technical expertise to the national organizations, to design job profiles, organizational charts, and decision-making channels for national positions
• Develop surge rosters from both the internal and external sources to ensure availability of talent to support in the short- and long-term disaster response

Compensation and Benefits

• Create a regional compensation system that is competitive for the disaster response-specific to NGO market
• Participate in salary surveys focusing on benchmarking salaries and benefits for disaster response programming to develop a competitive pack to attract and retain talent
• Work with total rewards team to develop compensation packages including monitoring and communicating any market changes that would affect compensation
• Regularly monitor the benefits including advising hiring managers on benefits

Employee Relations

• Ensure all recruitment, orientation, duty of care for new staff policies and procedures are up to date and socialized
• Work with hiring managers and the country teams to facilitate pre- deployment inductions and trainings, in country inductions and onboarding for new staff
• Coordinate the psychical support to staff including counselling services, debriefing sessions, developing guidelines to support implementation and guide managers to adequately support teams working on the frontline of the response

Learning and Development

• Consult with key stakeholders to develop learning and development curricula to address skills and competency gaps in disaster response
• Work with Disaster Response, Recovery and Reduction (DR3) team to coordinate regular learning and development initiatives for regular and emergency staff to build capacity in emergency response and preparedness

Recruitment

• Collaborate with HQ HR on staffing and recruitment needs
• Review and post job vacancy information, including details such as duties involved, and other information required to complete a successful identification, selection, and hire
• Recruit approved positions including screening, interviewing, and making initial selection of candidates primarily for assigned positions
• Manage the compensation package both for expats, volunteers, and local staff
• Answer inquiries from hiring managers and job seekers about current job vacancies
• Ensure proper due diligence regarding the background and reference check process for new hires

National Organization Support

• Advise in-country HR staff on all policies and processes related to human resources for Habitat for Humanity International including but not limited to staffing and recruitment, internal processes and policies, benefits, employee relations, on-boarding, duty of care etc.
• Support in-county HR staff with the on-boarding process for in-country new hires, including creating, developing, implementing, and participating in orientation sessions
• Identify local resources for recruitment to meet the local hire needs of the disaster response operation
• Advise national organizations on the in-country performance management process, including job plans, and performance appraisal
• Monitor the work environment in the different offices of the project and support the teams in the delivery of a health and safety culture
• Evaluate with the National Director and/or Director of Operations internal equity both with expatriates and local staff and recommend adjustments when needed
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6+ years of overall related experience in human resources
• Extensive working knowledge of EU employment laws, practices, and procedures
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills
• Proven success in recruitment, including having previously filled Director-level positions
• Ability to train, motivate and successfully influence others in staffing, HR and other disciplines
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operational, and tactical staffing and selection plans, strategic sourcing, manpower and technology plans
• Experience using MS Office applications
• Must be available outside of traditional office hours, including weekends and holidays, to meet unpredictable business needs

Preferred:

• Master’s degree
• At least 2 years’ experience working in a disaster response setting
• Experience with HRIS related software preferred
• Professional HR certification a plus
• Language skills in the country of the response preferred
• Working knowledge of the impacted region and its culture preferred
  Active support of HFHI Values & Commitments:
• Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
• Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
• Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.