JOB DESCRIPTION

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

The Program/Department/Team (Program/Department Summary)

Mercy Corps has been present in (country) since (year), focusing its interventions on (sectors). With funding from (donors), Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in (country) to respond to these (priorities/ needs) bringing benefit to more than (of beneficiaries) (families or beneficiaries) in (the following sectors). (Insert updated program blurb from The Hub.)

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Senior HR Manager is a key person within the regional HR management support team to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, who ensures the resources are planned and utilized towards effective program support.

The Senior HR Manager plays a key role in the overall leadership of the Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen country programs under the guidance of the Deputy Regional Director – Operations and Regional HR Director.

As a member of the support management team to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, the Senior HR Manager shares the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Mercy Corps country operation activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Vision

Develop and implement multi-country HR strategies that align with organizational goals and country-specific workforce needs.
Identify opportunities for HR process improvements, talent development, and employee well-being across different country programs.
Provide HR insights to country and regional leadership to support strategic decision-making.

2. Representation & Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as the primary HR liaison between country teams, regional leadership, HQ, and external stakeholders.
Engage with local authorities, legal advisors, and donors to ensure compliance with labor laws and donor requirements.
Support country teams in preparing for external audits and HR compliance reviews.

3. Multi-Country HR Operations & Compliance

Oversee the implementation of HR policies, ensuring compliance with local labor laws, donor regulations, and organizational policies.
Conduct risk assessments on employment contracts, benefits, and labor law changes across multiple countries.
Ensure consistency in HR policies across country programs while allowing for necessary local adaptations.
Lead country teams in handling employee relations matters, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions.

4. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

Oversee recruitment and onboarding processes across country offices, ensuring hiring practices align with organizational and donor requirements.
Work closely with hiring managers to forecast staffing needs and develop workforce planning strategies.
Support country teams in attracting and retaining top talent through competitive salary and benefits structures.

5. Compensation, Benefits & HR Systems

Ensure salary structures, benefits, and compensation packages remain competitive and aligned with market standards.
Work with Finance teams to monitor payroll systems, taxation, and benefits compliance across different countries.
Oversee HR data management and ensure efficient use of HR Information Systems (HRIS) for reporting and tracking.

6. Learning, Development & Capacity Building

Lead talent development initiatives, ensuring staff have access to training, coaching, and leadership development opportunities.
Develop and implement HR training programs for HR teams, managers, and employees.
Support succession planning efforts to strengthen leadership pipelines within the region.

7. Team Efficiency and Effectiveness & Employee Well-Being

Foster an inclusive workplace culture that values equal opportunities.
Develop and implement initiatives to enhance employee engagement, well-being, and mental health support.
Ensure HR policies and practices are implemented across country programs.

8. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

Supervise and mentor country HR teams, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to manage HR functions effectively.
Conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews with HR teams across multiple countries.
Build a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration within the HR function.
Supervisory Responsibility

HR team in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen

Accountability

Reports on Dual Management To: Deputy Regional Director – Operations and Regional HR Director
Works Directly With: Country team in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, Regional and Global team.

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

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant field
Excellent written and spoken English
Previous experience leading the HR department of large teams (100 staff +)
INGO experience preferred
Outstanding leadership and communication skills
Ability to navigate difficult circumstances with a calm demeanor and in a methodical, analytical manner
History of exhibiting impartial, ethical, and empathetic behavior in the workplace
Approachable, discreet, and confidential
Extensive knowledge and understanding of local community and culture
Demonstrate sound judgment
Success Factors

The successful Operations Manager will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. They will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in one of the current MENA office location, and it may require occasional travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

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.

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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. 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements