Position : Director of Human Resources
Report to : Country Director
Functional report: Regional HR Business Partner
Location : Goma
Coordinates with : Operations Director, Program Director
About Us
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our 5,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission. More information at www.wcs.org. WCS is organized into a set of regional programs in addition to region‐wide engagement on a variety of conservation matters.
WCS has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo with government, community and private sector partners to deliver conservation in multiple landscapes across the country for over three decades. In partnership with our government partner ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature), WCS manages a portfolio of three site-based programmes in the east of the country that encompass some of the DRC’s most important protected areas and habitats for elephants and great apes (Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Kabobo Wildlife Reserve). The programme also addresses a number of key threats to biodiversity and forests at national or sub-national level, including climate change, the loss of intact forests and urban bushmeat consumption.
Purpose of the Position:
WCS is searching for a seasoned HR professional with extensive HR experience in DRC or the broader region to build a diverse and engaged workforce by attracting, developing and retaining talent to deliver on the DRC strategy. The HR Director for DRC will help to advance the performance of the DRC program and strengthen workplace culture. In partnership with leadership and with guidance from the Regional and Global HR teams, the HR Director will implement WCS’s HR strategy in country, including policies and practices related to recruitment and selection, performance management, and total rewards.
Main Responsibilities:
- Manage a high-functioning HR team for the DRC program, ensuring compliance with all applicable labor laws.
- Partner with leadership to set the people priorities for the country program.
- Lead the implementation of WCS HR policies, practices, and initiatives within the country program.
- Provide day-to-day HR support to the country program and serve as primary point of contact for all HR matters in coordination with the Regional HR Business Partner. Coordinate, as required, with colleagues from Finance and Administration, Office of the General Counsel, HR, and IT.
- Lead the recruitment and selection process, including ensuring job descriptions are accurate and effective, posting positions, screening applications, coordinating the interview process, and preparing and extending offers.
- Onboard all country staff in coordination with the country leadership team.
- Implement an effective performance management process in line with WCS’s performance management approach and guidelines.
- Organize and implement appropriate learning and development programs for the country in alignment with WCS global strategy, resources, and local needs.
- Administer the national salary scales in alignment with global compensation & benefits guidelines including setting staff salaries with oversight from the country director, Regional HRBP, and HR Talent team.
- Ensure that all leadership and employees in the country complete WCS´s compliance requirements including Code of Conduct training to support a positive workplace culture and support resolutions on any issues that may arise.
- Update, implement and/or improve HR manuals, policies, standard operating procedures, and toolkits across the country to ensure effective, efficient, fair, and transparent processes, and promote equal opportunities. Ensure compliance with local labor laws in coordination with legal counsel and/or labor offices where appropriate.
- Ensure that HR issues are given full consideration in all decision making and are in compliance with the spirit and intent of local labor regulations and requirements as well as donor requirements where applicable. Solicit feedback and recommend improvements where appropriate.
- Coordinate all documentation related to the employees’ life cycle (vacations, leaves, compensations, illnesses, accidents, absences, suspensions, warnings, job changes, promotions, salary adjustments, etc.). Maintain organized and up to date personnel files.
- Stay up to date on trends in the HR field through continuous learning, certifications, and maintaining an active network of HR professionals within and outside of the iNGO sector.
- Manage relations with social organisations (e.g., labour inspectorate, CNSS, ONEM, etc.).
- Complete any other HR duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- At least 8 years of progressive HR professional experience, including HR management experience.
- Experience supporting HR activities through the employee lifecycle from recruitment to separation, and developing and implementing HR process, policies, and procedures.
- Demonstrated success implementing HR processes and initiatives, adding value to achieve organizational goals.
- Resourceful and proactive in prioritizing issues, creating, and executing on innovative solutions.
- Demonstrated success in supporting and building relationships with all staff members.
- Experience in developing HR processes, policies, and procedures.
- Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills.
- Excellent planning, negotiation, influencing, detail oriented and communication skills.
- Full professional proficiency in French and English required.
How to apply
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply at the link by January31, 2025.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.