The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
Job Purpose
The incumbent will support management and staff within the DRC delegation to receive quality, value-added and consistent HR services, provide advice and support fairness and compliance with HR programs and policies. The position will also provide technical human resources support to the Democratic Republic of Congo National Red Cross Society.
The incumbent will also serve as part of the African regional human resources team, under the technical supervision of the Manager, Human Resources, Africa Region and is responsible for supporting the implementation and advancement of human resources activities.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Recruitment and selection
Manage the entire recruitment process for delegates and national staff – from advertisement, selection, the contracting process, supporting and briefings at the start of employment
Liaise with relevant technical units to ensure that job descriptions are appropriate and technically relevant
Job classification based on salary scale
Create/advertise and manage vacancies on IFRCjobs and relevant websites
Review applications, liaise with managers and key stakeholders to ensure that shortlisted candidates meet competency and motivational requirements
Promote fairness, transparency and consistency in the selection process.
Prepare and make suitable offers to selected candidates
Liaise with African regional office in recruitment of international staff
Liaise with National Societies for sponsored candidates
Share the weekly recruitment update
Support efficient and rapid recruitment processes in DRC working in close collaboration with the Africa regional office.
Workforce planning
Under the supervision of the line manager administer the end of contracting for all types of staff
Under supervision of line manager and in liaison with regional focal points follow up on e-boarding programmes in the region
Review national staff contracts for accuracy and alignment with the local labour laws
Ensure that all aspects of human resources administration are effectively managed and completed in the Dynamics 365 system
Ensure that all HR processes comply with DR Congo labour law, staff regulations, IFRC code of conduct
Ensure that new delegate/national staff information is provided to administration for the provision of ID cards and business cards
Prepare and organize, in collaboration with other departments, briefing sessions for new staff (welcome note, briefing schedule, supervision of the briefing process of delegates and national staff, etc.)
Track staff contracts (start date, end date and extension if necessary)
Ensure national staff payroll deductions are made to the DR Congo National Social Security Fund (CNSS)
Ensure that delegates and national staff complete their end-of-mission formalities with all departments prior to departure in collaboration with other departments
Tracking probation periods and managing, in collaboration with line managers, the end of the probation in accordance with HR guidelines
Regularly update leave status and leave planning system
Work closely with the head of administration to arrange travel, accommodation and visas for incoming and outgoing international delegates or national staff.
Organize and supervise the debriefing of delegates or national staff at the end of their contract, in collaboration with other departments and line managers
Payroll management – Compensation and benefits
Ensure compensation practices comply with state and federal laws and regulations
Manage the administration of social security and pensions for national staff and ensure that they are properly implemented
Prepare the payroll and have it validated and forwarded to Finance department, and issue pay slips to national staff
Update and keep pay slips up to date
Maintain information on staff salaries and allowances and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations in close collaboration with HR and the Finance Department
Ensure prompt, fair, transparent and systematic approval of HR services, rights and contracts
Calculate and pay termination benefits
Prepare salary review when requested by management including preparing a cost-of-living study with information from comparator organisations for validation
Performance management
Working with management, develop and establish the highest standards of employee performance.
Guide managers to carry out all performance management activities (e.g., setting goals, conducting evaluations, identifying gaps and contributing to the definition of training and development actions, if any)
Provide advice and support to managers and staff in the event of poor performance and disciplinary situations, capacity building and staff development
Share information received from staff development with the entire team
Train staff in the use of relevant tools, such as online performance, and advocate for the highest standards of performance management
Ensure that staff are assessed in a timely manner and monitor the quality of evaluations when compiling final evaluations for HR files.
In coordination with units, implement effective and timely training and staff development programs.
In coordination with the programme managers, provide organisational development (HR) support to the DRC RC as needed in terms of Human Resources activities (recruitments, HR policies, staff regulations, preparation of contracts, etc.)
Relationship management
Support/advise management and staff, where appropriate, to improve relationships and resolve issues.
Advise delegates and national staff on human resources policies and practices, act as advocate for staff where necessary and consult with the legal unit and health and stress advisors, where appropriate, on personnel issues, including occupational health
Be a partner to staff by listening to them, answering their questions and providing professional advice.
Provide staff training on human resources policies
Encourage staff to take online courses and use the learning platform.
Develop staff skills through the management and supervision of the various trainings (internal, external, in the field or at headquarters)
Risk management
Ensure compliance by all client groups with all standard operational procedures (SOP) in workforce planning and personnel well-being activities, with all systems and procedures to ensure consistency, integrity and accountability within the quality standards set out in the workflow
Ensure the implementation of audit recommendations and provide advice on remedial action and establish appropriate controls.
Maintain a safe and secure filing system for human resources documents.
Lateral relationships
Ensure effective working relationships with HR unit colleagues at all levels in the Africa Region and at the Geneva Secretariat level.
Education
University degree or equivalent working experience is required.
Professional HR qualification or equivalent experience is required.
Post Graduate qualification is an added advantage
Experience
Required
3 years relevant professional HR practice
Experience of facilitating recruitment and on boarding processes
Experience of handling confidential information
Experience handling employee relations matters
Experience in preparing staff payroll and HRIS
Preferred
Experience of working for the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement
Experience working with government and international non-governmental organisations, authorities and agencies
Knowledge, skills and languages
Knowledge and Skills
Ability to work with integrity and confidentiality
Ability to communicate with internal employees and external partners at all levels
Ability to work in an intercultural, inter-functional and multicultural environment
Excellent organizational, planning and influence skills
Training and staff development skills
Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills
Languages:
Fluently spoken and written French and English
Knowledge of local languages (Lingala, Swahili)
Competencies and values
Diversity, integrity, professionalism, team-work, communication, excellent judgement and decision making.
Special consideration: The job involves working with confidential matters and requires discretion always
Comments
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
