Merlin Job Description 1
Job Description
Position: Human Resources Manager
Programme: Republic of South Sudan
Responsible To: Country Director
Responsible For: HR and Administration team
Location: Juba, Republic of South Sudan with frequent trips to field sites
Contract Duration: 2 Years
Starting Date: January 02, 2013
Salary: £37,470.00 - £38,220.00 per annum (dependant on relevant experience),
inclusive of annual Cost of Living Allowance
Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note that this is an unaccompanied position
Merlin Profile
Merlin is an international health charity, saving lives in the world’s toughest places. Merlin responds with healthcare, when people are overwhelmed by natural disaster, conflict or disease and in need of immediate help. We focus on treating those who are beyond the reach of existing health services. After the immediate crisis, Merlin stays on to assist recovery. Using our expertise, we support health workers and strengthen existing health services. We build resilience by helping those at risk of future health disasters, to be better prepared.
We think everyone should have access to lasting healthcare. We believe good health is fundamental to transforming people’s lives, that’s why Merlin is A Force for Health Context and Background
The goal of Merlin projects in the Republic of South Sudan is to address humanitarian health needs through supporting essential primary and referral level health care interventions, increasing capacity of local health structures to deliver effective and quality health care services. Currently, Merlin supports two hospitals and seventeen primary health care facilities in two States of South Sudan – Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei.
Main purpose of the role
To be responsible for establishing and providing professional and effective human resource services as part of the Country Management Team for the South Sudan Programme.
Overall Role and Responsibility
As a senior management team (SMT) member, under the lead of the Country Director, set policy and strategic direction for the country programme. All SMT members are mutually responsible for the effective management and implementation of the country programme.
Merlin Job Description 2
As an SMT member you will be expected to
fully participate in all SMT meetings
provide updates on departmental activities and actively engage in problem solving through informed and innovative solutions
set the highest standards and provide clear and positive direction to the country programme
comply with and support the implementation of all country SOPs and guidelines
play a key role in the development and implementation of the Country strategy
Understand and uphold the Merlin core values and behaviours, and ensure their adoption and implementation by other staff in your department and colleagues. Merlin core values and behaviour are ‘focus on outcomes, initiative; integrity, accountability, and realizing potential’
As Head of Department
Fully accountable to the Country Director for running the HR department; this includes compliance with policies, providing a framework for effective policy implementation, developing and implementing annual departmental plans in line with the country annual plan
Ensure that departmental performance requirement, which is measured quarterly against agreed key performance indicators, is met without fail
Actively work with other departmental heads to ensure smooth implementation of the country programme activities
Undertake representation of Merlin in technical forums and to donors or other external stakeholders (including the media) in line with country strategy or as requested by the Country Director
Act as ambassador of Merlin at all times and fully participate in external meetings in an informed and appropriate manner
Specific Responsibilities
Manage the recruitment process for all international and national staff within South Sudan
Provide specific advice and guidance to managers and employees on all HR issues including employee relations issues
Design, develop and implement HR policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and best practice within South Sudan
Lead specific HR projects and initiatives in line with Merlin South Sudan Country Strategy
Ensure HR information systems, processes and filing procedures are maintained and developed
Directly Manage the HR team in the capital office while advising on the human resource needs of all locations
Recruitment and Selection
Merlin Job Description 3
To co-ordinate and support all aspects of the recruitment and selection process of national staff and appropriate international staff
Specific responsibilities include job description development, recruitment planning, advertising and short-listing, selection interviews and tests, job offers, salary calculations and issuing contracts
To keep updated with relevant new recruitment sources and propose improvements to processes and selection tools to ensure that the recruitment process meets current and future programme needs
To work closely with HR colleagues in the programme and HQ to ensure a coordinated approach to recruitment throughout the organisation, ensuring effective forward planning and awareness of available staff resources to fill vacancies
Assist the Country Management Team in assessing staffing requirements and the most cost effective way in which to achieve them
To coach and train all staff involved in recruitment on best practice and equal opportunities
Management and Organisation
Together with the Country Director, to provide advice on the management of all staff to ensure that it’s carried out within the Merlin Policies, Procedures and the Labour Laws of the country
Regularly update the Country Management Team on Human Resource statutory requirements, including tax laws and ensure that Merlin’s status in country remains within these requirements
Liaise with external parties (e.g. advisors, other NGOs, Forums, TWGs, etc) on compliance issues related to Merlin’s operations in country (including work permits).
Line manage the Human Resource team in the capital office - the Admin Officer and HR Officer
Support the line managers in ensuring that Merlin’s Code of Conduct is adhered to
Support line managers in conducting regular performance appraisals and exit interviews for all staff.
Manage the HR Department budget and ensure expenditures are within budget and in compliance with established financial standards
Policy and Advice
Develop and monitor Human Resources strategies into country programme and Merlin’s overall mission and operational strategy
Establish and maintain standard administrative and Human Resource management systems
Develop and manage the communication, implementation, monitoring and review of all Human Resource policies for national staff, ensuring that all documentation is in a locally readable language (whenever appropriate and possible).
Provide advice and guidance to line managers within the country programme on all aspects of employment and staff related issues
Conduct regular field trips to project offices to monitor and review Human Resource and administrative procedures and assist project staff, where appropriate
Advise and coach staff at all levels on issues related to performance management, legal compliance, disciplinary procedure, grievance procedure with the goal of building
Merlin Job Description 4
knowledge and capacity among staff to improve employee relations and enhance job performance and productivity
Manage national staff welfare policies including health insurance, group life insurance, personal and accident cover
Support the Country Director with representation to governmental, UN, INGO, partners and donor agencies as appropriate
In line with strategy, support the Ministry of Health in developing an HR strategy, procedures, policies and database to strengthen existing HR systems within the country
Learning and Development
Develop a programme-wide Learning and Development policy, in collaboration with the Country Management Team and the Learning and Development team in HQ
Identify the learning and development needs of programme staff and, where appropriate, provide tailored training and support within programme budget constraints
Work with line managers to develop and deliver the annual Programme Learning and Development Plan
Advise on needs assessment and development planning with the Learning and Development Team in HQ
Liaise with Learning and Development team in HQ to update line managers with information and advice on staff development
Conduct evaluations and impact assessments of programme-wide learning initiatives
Systems and Initiatives
In coordination with the Country Director, lead on specific projects, e.g. salary reviews, policy and procedures reviews, climate surveys and training & development needs analysis
Attend and participate in relevant inter-agency coordination meetings
Ensure compatibility with local cultural norms, paying particular attention to gender and vulnerability issues
Monitor the maintenance of monthly leave schedules where applicable for the recruited staff members while ensuring the same is done at the field level
Ensure proper maintenance of timesheets for all sites
Develop and implement an effective HR database and reporting system
Oversee the maintenance of effective HR filing system, with proper files maintained for each staff member, both manually and electronically while maintaining confidentiality
Manage the preparation of the staff payroll and the timely disbursement of salaries or other employee benefits
To maintain the monthly expatriate movement schedule as well as the expatriate and staff salary coding schedules for onward transmission to HQ
Ensure the smooth and timely dissemination of information and advice on queries related to human resource and administration (internally and externally)
Person Specification
Essential - qualifications, experience and competences
Degree or higher qualifications in Human Resources Management or equivalent by experience
Merlin Job Description 5
Strong knowledge and understanding of international HR practices and issues
Strong experience of working for an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) overseas in the capacity of Human Resource Manager
Experience of providing an HR service to a multi-site operation
Strong experience of providing a broad range of high quality HR policy advice (including disciplinary and grievance) to managers and staff
Strong experience of managing and undertaking a high quality recruitment process
Strong Experience of staff management
Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable - Qualifications, experience and competences
Experience of having worked in insecure environments
Experience of having worked in South Sudan or East Africa
Knowledge of health sector Human Resource management issues
Experience of designing and delivering training
To apply for this position
To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system. In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this. Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.
If you are unable to apply online please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please note that we do not accept CVs. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
Data Protection
Please note that in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act, Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purpose of recruitment and employment. This information can be stored in manual and/or electronic form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act. In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.
