About this role:
The Regional HR Partner for the West Africa Region is a strategic HR advisor, supporting programs and teams across a range of HR services and initiatives aligned with organizational and project needs. The HR Partner collaborates closely with MSH Corporate Human Resources, Project Directors, Project HR, and the Project Leadership Team to drive the achievement of organizational and country-specific goals through the development, implementation, and management of HR activities.
Reporting to the Director of Human Resource Partners, the Regional HR Partner will ensure the strategic implementation of people-related services, policies, and programs through HR staff. The HR Partner will also provide guidance and support to Project HR staff and Project Directors on HR matters across the countries within the assigned portfolio.
More specifically:
Strategic Advisor - HR Management (35%)
- Act as a strategic partner to the organization by understanding its mission, vision, values, and direction, as well as its goals and objectives. Facilitate strategic organizational meetings and provide guidance to assigned leadership as needed.
- Provide coaching and mentorship to Country HR Managers to help implement HR services and priorities within their assigned country portfolios.
- Contribute to and lead the design of tools and guidelines that improve the delivery and consistency of HR services, while strengthening the HR team’s capacity. This may include initiatives such as developing an HRP toolkit or leading the design and rollout of a capacity-strengthening program for Country HR Managers.
- Educate managers and employees on company policies and procedures.
- Support change management efforts by communicating organizational changes and assisting managers and employees as needed.
- Contribute to the HR team by mentoring and assisting other HR Specialists within projects, ensuring a high-performing work group.
Risk Management and Employee Relations (25%)
- Ensure legal compliance by monitoring and implementing relevant local human resource laws; conducting investigations; maintaining records; and representing the organization at hearings.
- Facilitate employee work results planning, monitoring, and appraisal by training managers to coach and discipline employees, scheduling management conferences with employees, resolving employee grievances, and providing counseling to employees and supervisors.
- Collaborate with the Compliance and Audit team to conduct investigations, respond to HR audit queries, and prepare audit recommendations.
- Work closely with local attorneys and the HO Legal Unit to manage employee relations issues, including startup and closeout procedures, in compliance with local labor laws.
Recruitment and Placement (15%)
- Oversee adherence to recruitment policies and procedures and recommend improvements as needed.
- Support in reviewing and preparing recruitment materials, including job descriptions, job specifications, advertisements, donor approval memos, and interview questions for open positions.
- Ensure all new hire employment forms are collected by HR, and employee folders are compliant with local requirements.
- Maintain an organized, active database of applicants for internship and volunteer positions.
- Plan, support, and coordinate new employee orientation, including providing information on policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, promotion opportunities, and employee benefits.
Compensation, Benefits, and Payroll Management (10%)
- In partnership with the MSH compensation unit and in consultation with project leadership, perform job evaluations and ensure new positions are correctly classified in the appropriate job bands and families.
- Periodically review HR vendors and service providers, recommending those for use, and ensure the office benefits package is competitive by evaluating and revising it as necessary.
- Audit payroll actions and updates regularly to ensure compliance with company policies.
- Ensure that promotions are properly justified, both technically and in terms of compensation.
- Support initiatives aimed at creating a safe, healthy, and positive workplace, conduct relevant MSH training, and develop HR initiatives that promote a great place to work, safety, and workplace security, including participation in health and safety committees.
Performance Management (10%)
- Oversee the full cycle of performance reviews, ensuring that deadlines are met and conducting training during the process.
- Assist supervisors and managers with managing performance issues and ensure effective planning, monitoring, and appraisal of employee work results by:
- Training managers to coach and discipline employees
- Scheduling and participating in performance meetings with employees
- Resolving employee grievances
- Counseling employees and supervisors
- Conduct training sessions to coach and support supervisors in managing performance.
- Support the Talent Management team with PPRD initiatives.
HR Management Information Systems (10%)
- Manage HR metrics and generate reports on relevant data.
- Audit information in the Workday HRMIS system to ensure accuracy.
- Assist in analyzing statistical data and reports to support effective management decision-making.
- Support the establishment and maintenance of appropriate mechanisms for idea-sharing, such as HR databases, open discussions, and employee-management meetings.
- Provide HR reports to management, including headcount, turnover, employee relations, budgeting, and data validation.
QUALIFICATIONS
What do you need to apply?
MSH employs people of passion, we seek individuals who dream of a better world. We look for professionals who combine experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of international best practices.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management is required.
- An advanced degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field from an accredited university is preferred.
Experience:
- A minimum of 8 years of professional-level HR experience is required, with 10 years preferred.
- Proven success as an HR generalist, with experience supporting employee groups of 50+ employees.
- Strong expertise in HR within the West Africa region, with a solid understanding of local labor laws and standards.
- Experience working with international development programs, and demonstrable experience with USG-funded programs is essential.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Knowledge
- Strong understanding of regional employment law.
- Knowledge of current HR practices and trends in human resource management.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database management tools.
Skills
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with HR staff, senior management, and external stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
- Effective presentation and facilitation skills, with experience in team and leadership development, conflict resolution, and organizational influence.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Oral and written communication skills in English and fluency in French; additional languages are a plus.
- Demonstrated computer proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Office Suite and database management.
Abilities
- Ability to successfully coordinate HR activities with senior project management staff and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to travel to countries within the assigned portfolio for HR initiatives as needed.
- Ability to gain trust and confidence from colleagues and handle confidential matters discreetly.
- Ability to assess priorities, manage a variety of complex tasks simultaneously, and meet competing deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
- Proven ability to resolve conflicts effectively and professionally.
Physical Demands
- Be able to perform basic office operations - keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers 10lbs, etc.
- Ability to travel for short-term assignments (up to eight weeks per year).
MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.
EEO is the Law - English
EEO is the Law - Spanish
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster
Know Your Rights - Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act
MSH EEO-AA Policy
