Description

Emergency HR Lead

• Lead recruitment processes during emergencies, including drafting Position Descriptions, and ensure alignment with Mercy Corps compliance and local laws. 

• Design customized onboarding and orientation packages for emergency response, adhering to Mercy Corps ethics standards. 

• Provide regular psychological assistance pre-deployment and during assignments. 

• Coordinate with teams on tax, immigration, and employment law considerations, integrating mitigation measures into emergency response processes. 

• Collaborate with the Emergency Response Human Resources Manager on program startups and closures, and balance urgency with organizational Safeguarding Core Standards. 

Recruitment Lead 

• Provide guidance on accelerated recruitment processes for rapid scale-up or emergency response. 

• Ensure diversity in candidate pools during recruitment and oversee the entire process, from advertisement to offer letter. 

• Ensure compliance with Global Safeguarding Core Standards, including MDS checks, RPS, and local background checks. 

• Guide field teams on best practices for creating emergency response structures and document deviations from standard recruitment processes. 

• Implement transparent recruitment controls, archive recruitment documents effectively, and build hiring team capacity to identify future talent needs.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Works to ensure Mercy Corps’ Safeguarding Standards are integrated and upheld in all areas of HR work. 

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work  

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members  

• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options. 

• When on assignment, members will be eligible for competitive salaries and benefits. The eligible salary ranges and a description of all benefits associated with these short-term positions (including health care and insurance) will be provided for informational purposes to candidates meeting minimum requirements for the role.   

The Process  

Applications will be accepted and reviewed bi-annually. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview process and to provide professional references; through which we will assess each candidate’s competencies and qualifications. Case study or scenario questions may be asked of the candidates as part of the panel interview. Those meeting the minimum qualifications and demonstrating competency in the priority areas will be invited to join the Alumni Talent Pool.  

Once selected into the Alumni Talent Pool, members will share information about their professional experience, qualifications, availability, and preferences. Talent Pool Members will then be matched to specific temporary employment opportunities (on average, 3 months) as hiring managers request support from the Talent Pool. Members will manage their own time and availability and will have the option to accept or decline any particular assignment.  
  
For more information about the opportunity, you may consult our Frequently Asked Questions in English, Spanish, or French.  
  

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  

• 5 or more years’ experience in international human resources, with at least 2 in a managerial role. 

• Prior experience with Mercy Corps within the last four years (with at least one year of Mercy Corps work experience.) 

• Ability to lead teams, influence, handle negotiations and make fast and effective decisions and plans in emergency contexts. Personal passion for and commitment to working in a diverse array of emergencies. 

• Able to work effectively in a highly stressed and potentially physically challenging emergency response set up in early and later stages of responses. 

• Proven ability to work productively with a wide variety of stakeholders to run participatory processes and meet tight deadlines to deliver results. 

• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Ability to establish personal credibility quickly with a diverse range of stakeholders and in multi-cultural contexts and teams. 

• Willing and able to deploy internationally at short notice for assignments. 

• Availability to work non-standard hours as needed, especially when supporting an active emergency or critical incident response.

• Able to read, write and speak English proficiently is necessary.  French, Arabic, Spanish and/or Russian language skills are also preferred.

Success Factors 

Successful Talent Pool members are self-starters who are ready to dive into an assignment on short notice. They have a positive attitude, are adaptable to changing circumstances, and are focused on problem solving. They have good self-awareness and understand their personal strengths and development needs, which they continuously work on between assignments. They work well in diverse teams and can quickly and effectively adapt in diverse cultural contexts. Talent Pool members understand it is a privilege to work in this sector and bring this enthusiasm to all their Mercy Corps assignments. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

Living conditions will depend on the location of assignment but may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing will depend on the assigned post and will be specified in the position description. 

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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.  

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).