Regional Human Resource Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job title: Regional HR Manager
Work station: The MDG center regional offices in Dakar, Senegal
The MDG Centre West Africa
The MDG Centre was established in July 2004 by The Earth Institute at Columbia University and the UN Millennium Project with a broad purpose of assisting countries to develop operational strategies for achieving the MDGs, and to support their implementation at both local and national levels.
In early 2006, The MDG Centre reorganized to establish two sub-regional centers covering East and Southern Africa (based in Nairobi) and West and Central Africa (based in Bamako). The MDG Centre West and Central Africa (WCA) is currently working in the following countries: Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal and its rapidly expanding to other countries in the region.
The West Africa MDG Centre focuses on two complementary scales:
At the national level,  provide support to national Governments to develop Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)-based national strategies and plans; 
At the sub national level, assist local governments to develop and implement MDG-based local development plans and strategies and assist pilot Millennium Villages Project (MVP) sites and Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI) to achieve MDGs at local level. .
Job Summary and Reporting
Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of the MDG Centre for WCA, The Regional Human Resources (HR) Manager will provide strategic and operational human resource leadership for The MDG Centre  West and Central Africa. This role reports operationally and functionally to the Director, MDG Centre WCA.
In addition, this position will provide human resources strategic support in coordination with the office of the Director of Finance & Administration, The Earth Institute/Columbia University in New York.
Duties and responsibilities
Lead, manage and implement The Centre’s HR systems and processes
Provide leadership and expertise for the full scope of HR functions
Drive strategic HR related planning processes: recruiting and staffing, organizational design, compensation and rewards and recognition
Lead annual HR processes including salary planning, training and development, and evaluation
Manage the benefits and insurance contracts and systems for the Centre.
Develop Resources and keep staff highly motivated
Assist  the MDG C entre staff with talent assessment, coaching, leadership skills development, career planning, employee relations, employee performance management, employee learning and engagement and
organization effectiveness
Partner with management to identify, evaluate and resolve human relations, work performance, employee morale and organizational productivity issues
Collaborate with Legal Counsel on HR issues as appropriate
Ensure compliance of the Human Resources/Employee Manual with labor laws in the West & Central African countries of the  MDG C entre WCA’s operations
Coordinate systems and processes with the Department of Administration and Finance at the Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York.
Develop employee and contractor compensation scales and classifications of staff
Develop and administer annual performance management process
Provide training and counseling on the annual performance management process
Implement employee development and training processes
Represent MDG C entre  West and Central Africa with national and local officials concerning labor
Draft employment offer letters and personnel contracts
Manage employee participation in Centre-offered insurance and benefit plans
End-of-year work and supervision of local/site
Lead HR Team  in  Mali and  Senegal
Identify HR needs and update on salary survey and changes  in specific country laws
Advise the Director, MDG Centre WCA, on proposed salary or cost of living increases
Participate as needed in evaluations of personnel; manage the Centre’s overall personnel evaluation process
Update the Human Resources/Employee Manual as required
Review and revise insurance and benefit contracts and plans, as needed
Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources,  Labor Relations, Business Administration, sociology or Law as a minimum from an accredited university
At least 10 years of experience in a variety of Human Resource positions, both staff and client based in an international organization.
Knowledge of one or more of MDG C entre’s countries of operations’ (Mali, Senegal, Ghana or Nigeria)  employment and labor laws
Previous Union/Works Council experience/exposure
Fluency in French and English
Additional eligibility qualifications and desired Characteristics
At least Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or Industrial Relations
Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or Law is preferred as an added advantage.
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Strong coaching skills
Demonstrated ability to compile and report results of management activities
Must have strong analytical  skills;
Computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Terms of offer
CIP/MDG Center offers a regionally competitive salary with an excellent benefits package. The employment contract is for a period of one year with the possibility of renewal.CIP/ MDG prides itself on its collegial, supportive and gender sensitive working environment and believes that staff diversity promotes excellence. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications
Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to:[email protected] . With a copy to [email protected]. “Application for Regional Human Resource Manager MDG-WCA” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.
Applications will be considered until 15th September 2012 or until the position is filled.
Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about us at:
www.mdgwca.org
www.millenniumpromise.org,
www.unmillenniumproject.org,
www.mdgwca.org