Roving HR Officer (Kassala) – MCS

Job Description

Organization:	MERCY CORPS EUROPE (MCE)
Position Title:	Roving HR Officer
Location:	Kassala
Section/Unit:	Human Resources
Closing Date:	04 Feb 2024

Background:

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004 and currently has a country office in Khartoum and field offices in South Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan Gedaref, and Kassala states. We work with Sudanese communities to build resilient scalable solutions that interrupt the cycle of fragility and crisis due to conflict and climate change by improving food and water security, peace and governance, and enabling economic opportunities in the agricultural sector. 

Our programs in Sudan cover the triple nexus approach with a range of projects interlinking the humanitarian, development, and peace sectors. Our humanitarian response focuses on integrated FSL, Cash, WASH, Protection, and Nutrition activities with cross-cutting focuses on youth and gender. These programs have a strong emphasis on increasing self-reliance through the provision of improved livelihood opportunities. Under our peace program, we aim to promote an active role for women in preventing and mitigating violence and conflict especially in South Darfur and South Kordofan in collaboration with civil society. Our development program is pioneering a Market System Development (MSD) approach to support the food security and strengthening of agricultural market systems for smallholder farmers in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The project has a focus on the empowerment of women and the promotion of climate-resilient agriculture. 

Working with a diverse base of donors that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Switzerland Development Cooperation (SDC), the Swedish International Development Agency, AICS, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, and others, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We work closely with the private sector, civil society, and governance structures at local, regional, and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Sudanese. 

Innovation is an important part of our programs, and we are levering new technologies and modalities to alleviate suffering and poverty thereby helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes community-led, market-driven interventions through public, private, and civic sector partnerships. Examples of innovation in Sudan include the use of solar energy to provide sustainable potable water supplies for displaced communities and the introduction of hermetic bags to reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers.

General Position Summary

The  Roving Human Resources (HR) Officer is responsible for implementing the HR functions in the MC Europe program under the supervision of the HR Manager. The nominee will ensure that all  HR policies and procedures are communicated, implemented, and monitored, compliant with legal requirements, and that MC Europe values are upheld. The Roving  HR officer will ensure that policies and procedures are fair and transparent and promote equal opportunities. She will arrange staff development and training and other efforts which promote the wellbeing of staff. As a representative of MC Europe, the Roving HR Officer will attend meetings with other INGOs, governmental departments, and partners as appropriate.

The work is mainly office-based but will involve travel to  field offices

Duties and responsibilities:

The Roving Human Resources (HR) Officer is responsible for implementing the HR functions in the MC Europe program and various other administrative functions under the supervision of the HR Manager. The nominee will ensure that all  HR policies and procedures are communicated, implemented monitored, and compliant with legal requirements and that MC Europe values are upheld. The Roving  HR officer will ensure that policies and procedures are fair and transparent and promote equal opportunities. She will arrange staff development and training and other efforts which promote the wellbeing of staff. As a representative of MC Europe, the  Roving HR Officer will attend meetings with other INGOs, governmental departments, and partners as appropriate.

Human Resources Functions

• Assist the HR manager in establishing and maintaining standard Human Resources filing systems that monitor recruitment and selection, performance management, training and development, and staff wellbeing. 
• Represent staff concerns to the HR manager on HR issues including health and safety. Also represents MC Europe’s priorities and concerns to staff on similar issues.
• Assist the HR manager in defining Job Descriptions, advertise and lead recruitment processes in all offices, and assist the HR staff in other locations for local recruitment.
• Assist the HR manager in assessing and identifying staff training and development needs, and develop and share with the Senior Management Team (SMT) a consolidated development plan for all staff.
• Work with line managers to conduct candidate selection processes, provide briefing and induction sessions, set objectives, monitor probation periods, and hold regular catch-ups and annual performance appraisals. 
• Conduct regular field trips to project sites to monitor and review human resources policies and procedures. Assist line managers and staff, as appropriate.
• Ensure that all HR activities are compliant with national and local legislation; are within the MC Quality Standards, Operating Practices and Procedures (the National Staff Handbook) and reflect the People in Aid ‘Code of Conduct’.
• Support the HR Manager with the development of medical and emergency evacuation procedures and arrangements for the program.
• In consultation with the Finance Manager and under the supervision of the HR Manager, establish and monitor the grading and salary structure and payment procedures for National staff.
• Assist the HR manager with the preparation of the monthly national staff payroll.
• Liaise with MC Europe’s program team and HAC in matters regarding interviews for new hires, and written and oral tests.
• Liaise with HAC, labor office, and online platforms for advertising for new jobs.
• Coordinate lease agreements, and timely payments of leases and utilities for the office.
• Make arrangements for meetings and workshops in coordination with organizers.
• Supervising the process of updating the leave tracker
• Supervising the process of updating HCM
• Supervising the process of updating the recruitment tracker
• Supervising the process of updating the master contact list for all MCE Sudan team members.
• Following all with all line managers to make sure that new team members did their orientation.
• Updating cost center and project fund code for each team member.
• Responsible for following the process of probation review
• Responsible for following the process of annual performance review.
• Responsible for following employees’ contract status.
• Responsible for making new contracts and renewing contracts.
• Create, implement, and manage onboarding plans

Reporting:

The roving HR Officer should prepare a report that reflects all HR activities during the month.

Turnover report.

The report shows the recruitment status.

The report shows the status of medical reports among all offices.

The report shows leave status.

Other

Conduct herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to MC Europe and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
 

Organizational Learning 

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit MC Europe as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

MC Europe team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: TBD

ACCOUNTABILITY:  TBD

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Human Resources Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Field HR Officers and Assistants, team leaders, Country program staff, Finance

Minimum Qualification, Skills, and Experience Required:

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

5 years or more years of progressive HR experience is required.

BA  In Human resources or equivalent in Administration or a relevant field is required.  An advanced degree is preferred.

• Excellent knowledge of various HR functions such as pay & benefits, recruitment, onboarding, evaluation, training & development, etc.
• Good understanding of labor laws
• Proficient in MS Office
• Good communication skills
• Data analysis
• Fluent English 
• the ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize your workload
• curiosity and a willingness to challenge organizational culture where necessary

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. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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 a 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 based on 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 the 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 professionally, respect local laws and customs, and 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.

How to apply:

You can apply through the Labor Office by submitting the following :

• Updated CV.
• Application Letter.
• Certificates Copies.
• Work experience certificates.
• Copy of your passport or National ID Card.