HR Business Partner, Pacific FMU
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Suva, Fiji
Conservation International is seeking an experienced and strategic Human Resources professional for our Pacific Field Management Unit. This position will be based in Fiji, reporting directly to the Pacific Field Management Unit (FMU) Chief Field Officer, with a dotted line to the Chief People Officer. This position will be a key member of both the Pacific FMU Leadership team and the Global People & Culture Management team. In alignment with the global People & Culture strategy and Pacific regional strategy, the successful candidate will lead, implement, and facilitate the development of a highly effective and valued HR function within the Pacific region to advance organizational structure, culture, and talent needed to deliver on its objectives. The HR Business Partner will provide strategic and proactive input on high-risk issues, organizational design, and talent management, and ensure comprehension and compliance with relevant internal and external policies, laws, and regulations. The HR Business Partner will leverage their expertise in employee relations issues, regional and local labor law and regulations, compensation and benefits, recruitment, and training and development to support our teams across the Pacific FMU, including Fiji, Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Palau, and New Caledonia.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Act as a strategic advisor and business coach for the leaders in the region to create awareness and provide HR guidance on the most effective management of sensitive HR issues in alignment with CI’s mission.
- Determine workforce needs, identify human resource and competency gaps, and drive the development of a staffing plan to promote staff development and retention.
- Manage employee relations across the Pacific region, including conducting formal investigations and participating in disciplinary matters in compliance with applicable local labor laws and regulations.
- Partner with global Talent Acquisition or directly lead and conduct recruitment for key and local positions while building internal recruitment capacity with operations and hiring managers, ensuring that policy, statutory, and best practice requirements are met. •
- Manage the regional and country introduction of CI policies, annual programs, and processes to include delivery of local workshops, ensuring that local operations and managers are appropriately equipped and supported.
- Implement collaborative actions to facilitate the evaluation and development of HR capacity and infrastructure at the regional and local levels. Build knowledge, expertise, and capacity leveraging internal and external resources.
- Lead all annual talent management and performance management processes for the region.
- Work closely with global People & Culture and local HR and Operations Leads to ensure all HR-related administrative duties, such as updating contracts, generating employee reports, and executing compliance -related activities with all existing legal and government reporting requirements, are executed at the country level, providing technical support and guidance as needed.
- Deliver critical training to ensure employees, managers, and teams have the resources, tools, and support development needs. Partnering with Learning and Development, conduct development needs assessments. Support the identification of a network of regional trainers, workshops, consultants, and other professional development resources to meet these local development needs within the budget.
- Align with global People & Culture strategy and Conservation International priorities to advance a diverse workforce, foster a culture of inclusion, and a high-performing, resilient, and engaged environment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- The position may require traveling up to 25% of the time to countries in the Pacific region. Travel is conducted only when safe to do so and in accordance with Cl policies and country-specific mandates or restrictions.
- The position requires the ability to work non-traditional and extended hours to support a global workforce in multiple time zones.
- This may be a hybrid role with time split between working from home and onsite at our Fiji office.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Demonstrable acumen and experience as a Human Resources professional in the Pacific region, with progressively complex responsibilities, supported by a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience) and 7+ years of relevant work experience.
- Deep and broad working knowledge of all human resources disciplines, including staffing, workforce planning, recruiting, employee relations, compensation, performance management, and relevant employment laws and regulations within Pacific regional and sub-regional locations
- Persuasive and engaging communication, presentation, training, and facilitation skills to clearly convey objectives to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability and emotional intelligence necessary to handle complex employee relations processes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and abilities to appropriately consult and partner with internal clients across various teams, countries, and cultures, building trust and collaborating for positive outcomes
- Experienced in solving complex issues through analysis, defining a clear way forward, and ensuring buy-in. Adept in navigating regional and local labor laws and regulations, interfacing with internal and outside legal counsel, and liaising to resolve critical issues.
- Highly organized and self-directed, comfortable navigating ambiguity, working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
- Excellent and persuasive oral and written communication skills; demonstrable acumen in influencing for positive outcomes, and building trust and influence with stakeholders and leaders
- Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement; other language proficiency is a strong advantage.
- Demonstrated ability to work, manage, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and on deadline; aptitude for problem-solving and decision-making needed.
- Analytical and technical acumen; advanced skills in optimizing the MS Office suite, HRIS, and other relevant digital tools.
Preferred
- CIPD, SPHR, GPHR, OPD, or other HR or relevant professional accreditations are an advantage.
- Experience working in a matrixed international organization and with non-profit environments is an advantage.
To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.