Job Description

Overall Purpose
Working directly with the Deputy Executive Director, and as part of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Director of Human Resources will play a central role in advancing HD's agenda, by ensuring its greatest asset - its people - are effectively supported. The Director will combine a solid track record of HR leadership and experience, while fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment where people feel valued for their contributions. To do this, the HR Director will work closely with senior leadership, managers, and staff across the globe to ensure HR is a responsive, strategic, and enabling function that strengthens HD's resilience and supports its mission.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy

• Provide clear direction for HD's global HR function, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and strategy.
• Advise the Executive Office, leadership team, and Board on people and organizational matters.
• Ensure the HR team is a credible and trusted partner at all levels of the organization.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure HR practices meet legal, donor, and ethical obligations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Anticipate and manage people-related risks with transparency and fairness.
• Uphold integrity, accountability and humanity in all people practices.

Culture & Engagement

• Strengthen staff engagement, wellbeing, and cohesion across a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce.
• Promote a culture of trust, inclusion, and collaboration that reflects HD's values.
• Support managers in fostering positive and resilient team environments.

Internal Client Partnership

• Provide managers and staff with timely, practical HR advice and solutions.
• Support regional HR managers in delivering consistent and locally adapted services.
• Encourage a client-oriented approach that reinforces credibility and responsiveness.

Talent & Development

• Ensure recruitment practices are transparent and effective in attracting high-calibre talent.
• Oversee performance and development systems that are clear, fair, and constructive.
• Expand opportunities for learning and professional growth within HD's project-driven model.

Global HR Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for HR managers delivering operations in the regions.
• Ensure coherence and reliability in HR services worldwide, including compensation and benefits packages, learning opportunities, etc for various types of contracting and geographies.
• Strengthen HR systems and tools that support dispersed teams.

Candidate Profile
Essential

• Minimum 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a senior role with global or multi-country scope.
• Proven track record in leading HR teams across regions or multiple jurisdictions.
• Advanced university degree in Human Resources Management, Organisational Development, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to act decisively and deliver results quickly in complex, multicultural environments.
• Strong knowledge of HR compliance, governance, and employment law across different jurisdictions, with experience engaging legal counsel where necessary.
• Experience overseeing HR budgets, systems, and policies, ensuring both efficiency and fairness.
• Proven capacity to foster engagement, inclusion, and organisational culture, setting the tone for a people-centred HR function.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with a partnership-oriented approach.
• Fluent in English, fluency in French an asset.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to regional offices and field locations.

Desirable

• Background in steering organizational change.
• Familiarity with donor-funded or mission-driven organizations.

Skills Required