Human Resources Manager

Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and migrants. DRC/DDG is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Human Resources Manager for his country office in Colombia. This is an opportunity for an experienced professional to support DRC’s emergency response to the mixed migration flows in Colombia from Venezuela and DDG Mine Action program.

Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group has been active in Colombia since late 2010. With an office set up in Bogota and an operational base in San Jose del Fragua, Caquetá department, DDG’s presence in Colombia is about to complete 10 years. Between 2014 and 2016, DDG was involved in a significant capacity building project and provided technical support to the Colombian government in Land Release, Technical Demining, National Standards and Impact Monitoring. DDG saw its Humanitarian Mine Action desk accreditation renewed in 2019. Since April 2018 the organization has deployed Community Liaison/MRE and NTS capacities in two municipalities in Caquetá - San Jose del Fragua and Belen de los Andaquies. DDG is close to initiate the deployment of 3 clearance teams in the four Confirmed Hazardous Areas (CHA) and one Suspected Hazardous Area (SHA) identified so far in the municipalities.

The onset of large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the crisis in Venezuela requires a major integrated humanitarian response to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities. Based on the conclusions of several emergency needs assessments, DRC set up an emergency response in the Caribbean coastal areas of Colombia (Riohacha and Barranquilla), in Bogotá and Medellin. DRC´s integrated humanitarian response will be based primarily on protection activities, with components of Shelter, WASH, multi-purpose cash assistance, NFIs, and livelihood interventions.

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

Overall purpose of the role

• Lead and manage Human Resources functions in Bogota and field offices
• Provide overall advice, coordination and management to the Human Resources and Administration team at the head office and technical Human Resources support to the field offices
• Ensure efficient support to the program in accordance with existing DRC policies and procedures

Main responsibilities

Management

• Lead and manage the Human Resources team (including people planning, performance, well-being and development)
• Provide technical support, advice and build capacity of the Human Resources team
• Advise and assist managers in Human Resources related issues and concerns
• Define strong strategies for the country of operations

Recruitment, development and people planning:

• Drive and support recruitment and selection activities ensuring compliance with recruitment process
• Work with senior management team and senior staff on new staff retention strategies and initiatives
• Ensure proper onboarding process
• Ensure oversight and consistency in position titles and grades, across all field locations
• Support staff development activities including promoting the DRC Learning Catalogue
• Develop/maintain local processes for staff development making use of the DRC Learning Catalogue
• Assist managers to identify, recommend and approve Learning & Development initiatives for their employees through DRC’s Learning Catalogue.

Performance, well-being and compensations & benefits:

• Proactively respond to and manage performance counselling, employee grievances and disciplinary issues as required, with a focus on building manager competency and ensuring that documentation is kept
• Lead the performance management process
• Act as an impartial mediator in disciplinary procedures and ensure it is administered in an equitable and fair manner and meets all legal and labor regulations and requirements
• Lead people well-being initiatives
• Define and review salary structure in partnership with the Senior Management team and coordinate annual compensation review process and compensation adjustments.

Human Resources Policies and Support:

• Maintain and update Staff Human Resources Handbooks as necessary
• Proactively pursue continuous process improvement in Human Resources related practices in order to enhance the quality and efficiency of output/delivery.
• Work closely with HQ to share information and provide support as required

Administration:

• Ensure oversight of relevant lists (e.g. leave, RR) in coordination with managers and field sites
• Monitor contract end dates and proactively liaise with managers regarding extension or end of contract
• Coordinate the exit process
• Ensure oversight of management of visas, entry permits, alien registration and work permits
• Ensure oversight of internal and international travel
• Ensure timely updating and renewal of organization registration certificates
• Liaise closely with the well-being and work safety focal point to fulfill legal requirements on the workplace

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

Roles reporting to this position: Human Resources officers and assistants

Reports to: Head of Support Services.

Required experience and competencies

• At least 5 years' experience in relevant field, of which at least 3 years in a senior Human Resources management role within an NGO or large company
• At least 3 years' experience with people management
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Demonstrated understanding and working knowledge/experience of Human Resources Management principles, concepts & processes
• Extensive knowledge on local labor law
• Excellent skills in handling and advising on complex people management issues
• Experience in developing Human Resources strategies and policies, and driving implementation
• Experience using an online system for recruitments
• Experience in using, developing and maintaining an HR information system – Microsoft Dynamics a plus
• A previous experience in consulting in human resources or in organizational advisory will be considered an advantage
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish
• Full professional proficiency in English - minimum required B2 according to CEFR

For this role, the best candidate will also demonstrate ability to think beyond evidence, to deliver results and solve problems. He/She will show wit and ambition as well as a long-sighted mindset.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Required education

Master's degree from a top-tier university in Human Resource Management, Psychology, Business, or Social Science Degree specializing in Human Resources.

What we offer:

• This position is open to national contracts only
• Commencement: 02nd December 2019
• Duration: 12 months with possible extension, considering a 2-month probation period – an open contract will be considered for highly talented candidate as an additional benefit
• Salary/Benefits: competitive compensation package according to DRC’s compensation policy
• Duty Station: Bogota, Colombia with frequent travel to field locations
• This position offers a great opportunity to become part of one of the leading global NGOs, focusing on refugees and displaced people, in a fast-growing environment in Colombia

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.

Closing date for applications: 15th November 2019