Job Title:ย Regional People Officer (RPO) Reports to: Director, Global People Operations and Partnership โ Dotted line to Regional Director/Deputy Regional Director Department:ย Global People Resources (GPR) Salary Grade:ย 11
Job Summaryย
As a key member of the Global People Resources (GPR) team, the Regional People Officer (RPO) provides strategic leadership and technical guidance to support the delivery of high-quality HR services across EMECA region. The RPO ensures that countries within the region are equipped with the talent and HR systems needed to deliver impactful programming and foster consistent, positive employee experience.
The RPO will serve as a trusted advisor to field leadership, supporting the implementation of global HR initiatives, strengthening local HR capacity, and ensuring alignment with GPR Standards. With the integration of some development programs into the RPOโs scope, this role will also lead efforts to embed learning and growth opportunities into the regional HR strategy.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Upholding Standards, Contextualizing Approaches
Work with field leadership and field HR staff to ensure Global HR initiatives are well-timed, meet field needs/priorities, and are adapted to the local context.ย Work collaboratively with field HR staff and management to ensure consistent application of policies, practices and global and country specific HR initiatives and provide hands-on support for effective implementation. Liaise with compliance and audit leads to develop and implement Global HR Standards for monitoring, evaluating and updating HR systems, policies, processes, and practices to meet agency, donor, and local legal requirements and standards. Provide counsel and practical in-person support as necessary to field HR staff in all areas of employee relations including effective staff management, disciplinary action, conflict resolution, performance, and separations. Work closely with management and HR staff to support their efforts in improving work relationships, building morale, and staff engagement. Liaise with in-country HR staff and field leadership to support development and implementation of action plans following the CRS Engagement Survey.ยProviding Strategic HR Guidance, Aligning Priorities
Serve as a strategic partner and trusted adviser to field leadership, establishing HR needs and priorities that align with the overall agency plans and strategic objectives. Collaborate with countries and field leadership to identify gaps and make recommendations about appropriate HR staffing and structure in countries based on their complexity. Ensure timely hiring and development of the right talent.ย Work with management and HR teams to provide analytical reports on HR data, metrics, and trends. Promote data-driven decision-making.ย Provide strategic counsel to field leadership regarding complex HR challenges in the region.ยStrengthening HR Capacity in the Regionย
Work with field leadership on the collaborative development of effective capacity building efforts and trainings. Lead delivery of regional HR-related training and capacity building efforts, in-person or using e-learning, as needed.ย Build strong knowledge of the HR capabilities within the region. Build knowledge, expertise, and capacity of field HR staff through purposeful development planning and coaching. Travel to the assigned countries or other regions (as conditions allow) as and when needed to provide in-person practical hands-on support, technical trainings and/or management of special projects. Collaborate with field leadership to technically lead, empower and mentor the in-country program HR team, including communicating clear HR functional expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback.Knowledge, Skills and Abilitiesย
Excellent management and leadership skills including coaching, mentoring, performance management and delivering individual and group training. Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries and cultures required. Good knowledge of local context is strongly preferred. Broad knowledge and experience in employment laws in the assigned region, employee relations, staff engagement, compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, HR Audits, and training and development. Superb interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills required. Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision.Required Languages: Fluency in English required. Arabic is a plus.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.
Supervisory Responsibilities:ย Yes
Basic Qualifications
Bachelorโs degree in HR Management, Business Administration, Organizational Development, other relevant field, or equivalent experience.ย Minimum 10 years of professional HR experience with a minimum of 5 years as a regional manager in an international organization or equivalent with strong knowledge of HR best practices and standards.Preferred Qualifications
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Personal Accountability โ Consistently takes responsibility for oneโs own actions.ย Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.ย Is considered honest. Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions. Collaborates with Others โ Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams. Open to Learn โ Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.Agency Leadership Competencies:
Lead Change โ Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation. Develops and Recognizes Others โ Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance. Strategic Mindset โ Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.What we offer
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.ย Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.ย CRSยด work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.ย Catholic Relief Servicesย works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. ย Catholic Relief Servicesโย relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.ย We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRSโ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.ย The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRSยด Code of Conduct.
CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
Disclaimer:ย This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.ย
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidateโs ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.ย ย All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.