HR Operations Manager

Location: Globally flexible, fully remote with option to be based from ARK’s offices in countries where candidates have the pre-existing right to work (Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen). Occasional international travel to ARK Offices and project teams. 

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer 

Contract type: Permanent/1-year renewable FTC as per local labour laws 

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week 

Salary: Salary and employment benefits will be set according to market compensation rates in your location and therefore it is not possible to include full details here. However, as an indication if this role was based in the UK, for example, the range would be £48000 - £58,000 per annum on a full-time employment contract

Closing date: Thursday 18th July 2024 (early applications are encouraged, as we may amend this closing date once sufficient applications are received) 

About ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future. 

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change. 

Learn more about our impact here:  https://www.ark.international/impact 

About the Role

ARK’s HR Department is responsible for the employee lifecycle across the organisation, supporting business strategy and project delivery. We focus on fostering a culture that reflects our organisational values, aiming to build an engaged and motivated workforce that drives success across all of ARK’s international development projects and internal initiatives. 

ARK is now expanding, and we’re looking for an experienced HR Operations Manager to join the HR team, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. In this role, you’ll oversee all day-to-day administrative aspects of the employee lifecycle, leading a team of HR advisors to ensure an excellent employee experience across all projects and ARK offices. Responsibilities include managing HR systems, processes, and payroll, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal policies. You’ll collaborate closely with the Senior Management Team, internal audit, and Project Managers to align people solutions with business priorities, enhancing organisational outcomes and supporting the employee experience. 

What you'll be doing as HR Operations Manager

HR Strategy & Leadership   

• Coach and develop a team of HR Advisors to provide an excellent HR operations service to the organisation and employee experience.    
• Ensure the effective planning, implementation and communications of HR initiatives and activities.  
• Responsible for the HR Operations strategy to support organisational operations and growth.  
• Ensure Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion values and practices are embedded and adhered to within all policies and processes.  
• Own all HR related policies, processes and technologies, conducting regular reviews and updating as necessary to be compliant with local legislation, donor requirements and HR best practices.  

HR Administration   

• Manage all aspects of the contractual administration of employees and consultants, ensuring compliance with local legislation and client requirements as appropriate.    
• Oversee monthly payroll, timesheets and consultant invoices to ensure accuracy and timely processing.  
• Manage annual renewals of all staff benefits, including insurance and employee assistance program.  
• Provide regular HR reports and HR metrics as required.  
• Provide guidance and support to HR advisors and Managers on all employee relations issues, ensuring process is followed and escalated as appropriate.  
• Oversee the annual performance review process in partnership with People and Culture Business Partner and the wider HR Team to deliver continuous employee development.   
• Ensure the onboarding and offboarding processes are handled in a professional manner to expedite the settling in period and ensure everyone is consistently treated fairly.  
• Ensure timely administration processing of annual salary and benefit reviews in collaboration with the People & Culture Business Partner.  

Compliance & Audit  

• Lead on the HR component of all audits, internal and external, and improve any gaps in procedures that are identified as part of the audit process.  
• Manage annual internal/donor compliance administration requirements such as vetting, conflict of interest declarations and policy agreements, (including legislation on data protection, EDI and health and safety).  
• Be the link with internal compliance and external legal advisers to ensure adherence to standards across all HR areas of work.  Subsequently be a proactive source of internal coaching and development in HR compliance matters.  
• Provide HR guidance and support on all contractual and HR employment regulations on expansion into new countries.  

Requirements

Essential Experience 

• Experienced HR Manager, well versed in all areas of the HR lifecycle  
• Knowledge of employment law, including UK, MENA region  
• Strong awareness of developments within relevant sector (HR, new practices)  
• Experience of international payroll, HR compliance and audits  
• Proven team leadership and management experience  
• Development and implementation of HR Policies and procedures experience  
• Experienced in managing HRIS platforms  

Competencies for Success 

• Results and Achievement Focus: Ability to identify, implement, and measure improvements to enhance processes and performance 
• Team Leadership:  Ability to provide clear directions and priorities to teams, delegating responsibility to individuals and organising teamwork to encourage cooperation. 
• Decisiveness: Ability to make decisions in complex and ambiguous situations, evaluating and balancing conflicting interests and communicating decisions effectively 
• Delivering Great Performance: Adept at anticipating potential challenges and developing proactive solutions to mitigate impact on performance, sharing best practices and inspiring others to consistently deliver great performance 
• Duty of Care and Wellbeing: Promotor of personal and team responsibility for improving well-being in the workplace, motivating others to proactively identify, remedy and enhance safe and inclusive practices at work 
• Communication: Skilled in actively listening, empathising, and fostering open dialogue, facilitating mutual understanding and collaboration among stakeholders. 
• Adaptability: Proactively seeks out opportunities to learn and grow in response to changing circumstances, effectively navigating ambiguity and uncertainty, maintaining focus and productivity. 
• Relationship Building: Ability to initiate, maintain and strengthen relationships 
• Confidentiality: Exhibits exemplary ethical leadership and sets the highest standards of integrity. 

Desirable 

• HR qualification (e.g. CIPD) or HR Degree  
• Employment Law qualification  
• Experience working on USAID-funded projects  
• Job evaluation expertise (e.g. Hay trained)  

Benefits

Why join ARK? 

• Comprehensive Benefits: Life and private medical insurance, communications allowance, flexible working.
• Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need. 
• Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders. 
• Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change. 

Our People 

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.  

An ARK Person Is: 

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.  

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.  

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.  

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.  

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.  

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.