About the Organization
Action Against Hunger is an international humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger, working in countries around the globe to save lives and help communities build resilience.
Job Summary
Action Against Hunger is seeking an experienced and motivated Human Resources (HR) Director to provide leadership for Human Resources function in Ethiopia Country Office. The HR Director will design and implement the country people strategies and plans in line with the organization’s priorities and country office strategy and program delivery. The HR Director will design and align Human Resource procedures and practices in alignment with Ethiopia labor laws and Action Against Hunger policies and mandate.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic HR leadership
Design and implement the Country HR Strategy and plans aligned with the organization global HR priorities.
Provide strategic HR leadership as an active member of the Senior Management Team.
Advise senior leadership on organizational design, workforce planning and change management.
Co-facilitate Talent review sessions, in coordination with regional and global HR team.
Ensure HR strategies contribute to organizational growth, operational excellence, and employee engagement.
Lead organizational culture initiatives that reinforce the organization’s mission, values, and Code of Conduct.
Support strategic planning, donor proposals, audits, and organizational development initiatives.
Be a trusted Business partner in providing guidance and collaboration with the leadership team on HR matters.
Lead the digitalization of the country HR processes and systems to improve efficiency, compliance, and decision making.
Lead the organizational change management process, workforce restructuring process to support the country strategic priorities, and operational efficiency.
Workforce Planning, Talent Acquisition and staff onboarding
Provide leadership in strategic workforce planning by collaborating with department heads to identify program and operational staff needs across all functions.
Promote a culture of fair, transparent, efficient and timely recruitment process compliant with the organization’s policies and procedures.
Implement a robust onboarding program for incoming and current staff to create a positive work experience, employee engagement and productivity.
Provide guidance on staffing costs for business development opportunities, financial forecasts, review and approve the creation of new positions.
Performance Management & Staff Development
Provide leadership and guidance in the implementation and continuous improvement of the organizational performance management process in country.
Support and guide managers in objective setting, coaching, performance reviews, and staff development.
Provide guidance and leadership in calibration process to ensure fairness is maintained in line with the organization procedures.
Provide guidance to managers in identifying training needs and oversee staff learning and development initiatives.
Oversee the annual performance review process and ensure it is following organizational guidelines.
Oversee the staff capacity building and career development initiatives are achieved.
Payroll, compensation & benefits management
Design, implement and oversee administrative and payroll procedures which conform to labor law, Action Against Hunger internal policies and donors’ requirements.
Provide leadership and oversight into benefits administration; staff insurance, leave management, allowances and entitlements etc.
Following the organizational philosophy and framework, lead regular salary benchmarking exercises and ensuring equitable grading structure is in place.
Ensure that pay and benefit administration is implemented in line with the organization policies and procedures and aligned to the country’s labor law.
Following the global minimum standards, recommend competitive reward strategies that enhance employee retention and organizational sustainability.
Risk Management, HR Governance and Compliance
Lead and provide guidance in ensuring that the country office HR policies and procedures are updated and fully compliant with the organizational policies, Ethiopian labor law and donor regulations.
Lead and provide guidance on HR audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
Provide leadership in identifying and mitigating HR-related risks, including legal and reputational risks.
Participate in the process of partners selection and validation of Human Resources risk analysis, define modes of Human Resources management with partners working with Action Against Hunger.
Support partnership due diligence processes relating to Human Resources compliance.
Employee Relations, Staff well-being and Duty of Care
Foster a respectful, diverse, inclusive and safe environment and organizational culture.
Lead employee relations initiatives including grievances handling, disciplinary processes, investigations and conflict resolutions in line with organizational policies and procedures.
Promote employee wellness, mental health, staff welfare and staff engagement initiatives.
Ensure duty of care standards are upheld, particularly in high-risk environments like field offices.
Collaborate closely with Safety and Security and Safeguarding team to support staff welfare and safety and operational readiness.
HR Operations, documentation, Reporting and Representation
Ensure efficient HR Operations and service delivery across all offices and functions.
Ensure personnel files meet legal, donor, and organizational compliance standards.
Prepare and present HR reports, workforce analytics, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and regional office.
Monitor HR key performance indicators and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Represent the country office in external meetings/communication on Human Resources matters and develop a network for the exchange of information and good practices.
Leadership and team management
Provide leadership, guidance, coaching and mentorship to the HR team, both at the capital and field offices.
Build a high-performing HR function through effective performance management and staff development.
Promote continuous professional development within the HR department.
Ensure effective succession planning within the HR function.
Partnerships and external engagement
Create close work relationships with the HR team members in the Region, US and Countries.
Engage with peer agencies and HR forums to understand the current trends and practices in the sector.
Representing the organization in HR networks and platforms.
Safeguarding
Ensure the safeguarding policy is known, understood and followed by all employees.
Work closely with Safeguarding focal point to promote a culture of safeguarding in the organization.
Engage with the regional and global safeguarding leads and Regional HR Director to ensure the proper response protocol is followed in case of a case is identified.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or related field.
A master’s degree in human resource management, Strategic Management, Business Administration or related field is an added advantage.
Professional HR Certification as applicable.
Minimum 10 years’ experience of progressive Human Resources leadership with at least 5 years’ experience in a senior HR management or director level position.
Demonstrated experience leading HR functions and teams within international organizations or NGOs.
Proven experience working with leadership teams, providing guidance on operational and strategic HR.
Strong understanding of employment legislation in Ethiopia, donor compliance requirements and humanitarian operating contexts.
Experience managing large, diverse and multicultural teams.
Highly confidential and integrity, cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
Good IT skills and experience using HR systems like HRIS or its equivalent.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Amharic and other local languages is an added advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies
Strategic planning
Human Resource Management, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration
Strong coordination and networking skills