Switzerland for UNHCR hires a Human Resources Manager

Contract Type: 80 -100% - permanent position

Place of work: Geneva

Starting date: As soon as possible 

About Switzerland for UNHCR, the Swiss Foundation for UNHCR

UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting the rights of refugees and building a better future for the millions of people forced to flee their homes.

Since 1950, UNHCR has responded to multiple crises on different continents and has provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. Its work was aimed at ensuring their rights, protection and assistance, preserving their dignity and well-being.

Switzerland for UNHCR (CH4U), is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner for Switzerland. We support UNHCR's mission by mobilizing essential resources and raising awareness on behalf of those who are forced to flee.

To allow UNHCR to protect forcibly displaced populations, the Foundation needs the support of the Swiss people. Every Franc donated is spent in a responsible and transparent manner, and donations are tax exempt.

Switzerland for UNHCR also carries out awareness and advocacy initiatives to draw the general public’s attention to the challenges faced by people forced to flee around the world, and to what UNHCR does to protect them.

The Foundation is currently looking for a Human Resources Manager to join the Operations team. 

ROLE

Within a growing team, this position reports and is under the responsibility of the Deputy Executive Director.

The Human Resources (HR) Manager is in charge of the implementation of all Human Resources related activities for CH4U.

He/she ensures that the entire employee life cycle is managed and delivered in a compliant and seamless manner. His/her role is crucial in positioning CH4U as a good employer with an efficient and attractive Employee Value Proposition.  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The HR Manager will take the following responsibilities:

Resources planning, recruitment process, onboarding and offboarding

• Support staffing plans and talent management, ensuring the staffing needs of the Foundation are met on an ongoing basis
• Lead talent acquisition processes in an agile manner ensuring each recruitment process is adapted to the position
• Organize and accompany the onboarding and offboarding processes for employees. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Participate to the Employee Value Proposition definition to ensure proper positioning of CH4U as an employer
• Prepare the monthly payroll report with assistance from the external payroll services provider
• Participate to the proper management of staff related costs, their budgeting and analysis
• Oversee and manage portfolio of staff related insurances and ensure attractive and competitive insurances are in place
• Ensure legal compliance throughout human resources management
• Organize compensation & benefits benchmark every 3 to 5 years to analyze CH4U positioning and propose eventual corrective measures.

Employee Life Cycle

• Be the go-to person for all employee-related issues and act as business partner to all managers and employees
• Oversee completion of key administrative HR processes (e.g., staff contracts, job descriptions, leave management, work permit, family allocations, payroll, benefits, terminations etc.) to ensure effectiveness, compliance and accuracy in implementation and execution
• Assess training needs, act as Learning and Development focal point and monitor the annual training budget for all employees
• Oversee and manage the Performance Management framework ensuring all employees have SMART objectives and are evaluated as per existing framework
• Nurture a positive working environment 

Volunteer program

• Act as focal point for all activities involving volunteering (e.g recruitment, onboarding, training and management)
• Lead the development and roll out of the volunteer program across the Foundation different units, liaising with all teams / colleagues working with volunteers to ensure proper knowledge, follow up and daily management. 

Additional specific projects / activities

• Lead the Foundation efforts to strengthen its Human Resources framework and activities in areas such as engagement and retention, HR data management, HR KPIs and statistics
• Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the Foundation strategy
• Participate to HR NGO benchmark / networking to keep abreast of Not-For-Profit sector trends
• Participate to global UNHCR HR projects and activities when relevant
• Supports the Deputy Executive Director with HR projects and tasks when required.

PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a versatile, hands-on and strategic individual with a proven experience in Human Resources and a strong alignment with our humanitarian values, as well as a genuine interest for the humanitarian sector. 

Key competencies

• 7 - 8 years’ relevant experience including several at similar level
• Experience and understanding of the humanitarian, development and sustainability sectors
• Proven working experience as HR Manager or similar position
• Graduate or post graduate degree in relevant field
• Competence to build and effectively manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of the company
• Very strong ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates strong judgment and problem-solving competencies
• Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills
• Very well organized and structured with high attention to details, accuracy and results oriented
• Ability to lead and motivate a team for optimum performance
• Very strong ability to manage large size projects with delegated budget management
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills in a fast-paced multi-cultural and multilingual environment
• Very good capacity to work autonomously as well as a team player
• Very strong ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders with very strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Comfortable at participating in the exploration of new areas of activities, challenging ideas and projects
• Knowledge, interest and a strong commitment for the work and mission of UNHCR and the refugee cause
• Excellent command of English and French, another Swiss national language (DE/ IT) is considered an advantage
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications with master level in Excel
• Openness to explore innovative methods involving AI
• Knowledge of HR systems and databases
• In-depth knowledge of Swiss employment legal framework and HR best practices

Interested candidates can send their cover letter and CV to the Swiss Foundation by email to hr@unrefugees.ch, until 23 February 2024, mentioning the reference: HR Manager

Only selected candidates will be contacted. The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proud to make diversity a strength.