Head of HR Operations

Concern Worldwide; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

An international humanitarian organization based in Belfast seeks a Head of HR Operations to lead HR functions and develop strategies aligned with organizational goals. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in Human Resources, demonstrating leadership within the NGO sector and a solid understanding of both Irish and UK employment legislation. This is an opportunity to foster a values-driven culture while ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing employee engagement. The role offers a hybrid work model in Belfast.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Human Resources in a mid to large-sized NGO.
• Demonstrated strong leadership capabilities.
• Ability to balance operational execution with strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop HR strategies aligned with organisational goals.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop a team of HR professionals.
• Collaborate with senior managers to address people challenges.

Skills

Human Resources experience

Leadership experience

Knowledge of employment legislation

Strategic direction

Job description

Job Title

Head of HR Operations

Reports to

People Director

Terms

Permanent, Full time, hybrid in Belfast office.

Salary

Global Band 8: £55,240 - £61,378

Requirements

Willingness to travel to Concern’s programme countries

About Concern

Established in 1968, Concern is a non‑profit, non‑governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose

The Head of HR Operations will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to the HR Team and to oversee the operational running of the Human Resource function including but not limited to HR systems and management information, compensation and reward, employee relations, HR policy and regulatory compliance, safeguarding in the employee lifecycle, absence management, and, employee engagement. They will be responsible for the overall design, implementation and monitoring of HR policy and practices in Concern, providing direction and support across International, Irish and UK Operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver HR strategies that are aligned with the Organisational People Strategy to drive organisational success;
• Ensure compliance with risk control and regulatory requirements that are relevant to this role. Ensure compliance with organisational policies, regulatory, professional and legal requirements. Ensure familiarity with employment law and data protection considerations. Proactively identify & prepare for legislative changes that impact the work of HR;
• Lead and develop a team of HR professionals to ensure an excellent employee experience with an emphasis on business partnership, coaching and development. Motivate the team to achieve and maintain excellent pro‑active service to the organisation. Enhance a culture of personal responsibility and accountability by leading by example. Create a positive working environment where the team feel like they can contribute fully and openly.
• Partner and collaborate with Senior Managers. Work closely with Directors, Heads of Department and People Managers to facilitate effective and proactive decision‑making to ensure solutions are realistic, fair, consistent and effective. Build effective relationships with managers to understand people challenges.
• Provide leadership and guidance to People Managers and the HR Team in dealing with employee relations issues effectively and compliantly, creating a fair, respectful and high‑performance culture
• Work closely with the Total Reward Specialist to ensure fair and transparent compensation packages are in place for the organisation’s workforce, ensuring all pay related decisions are aligned to organisational policy and are based on relevant and updated benchmarking data;
• Ensure that safeguarding principles are mainstreamed across all HR initiatives, with direct responsibility for overseeing safeguarding in the employment lifecycle processes
• Act as a member of our internal Safeguarding Steering Committees alongside senior colleagues from Internal Audit and Investigations, and, the Protection and Safeguarding Unit, ensuring that all safeguarding related complaints are dealt with appropriately;
• Manage the Concern emergency phone, ensuring that there is cover 24/7, 365 days a year and act as an escalation point for any approvals needed outside of normal working hours;
• Act as a Family Liaison Officer on behalf of the organisation during emergency situations or in situations that require it;
• Responsibility for managing the HR Operations annual budget;
• All managers are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
• All managers are required to actively participate in any emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements

• Significant and demonstrable experience in the field of Human Resources in a mid to large‑sized organisation, ideally in the NGO sector;
• Significant and demonstrable leadership experience;
• Demonstrated ability to balance between day‑to‑day high level operational execution and development of strategic direction.
• Ability to manage high‑level relationships at organisational level;
• Strong working knowledge of Irish employment legislation and GDPR, working knowledge of UK employment legislation is also desirable but not essential

Competencies

• Focusing on the most marginalised people
• Communicating and influencing
• Managing risk
• Leading change
• Making decisions
• Driving performance
• Leading by example
• Removing barriers to delivery
• Motivating and developing

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio‑economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality.

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs.

Important information

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti‑Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.