General Position Summary

Support the management of the People and Culture department for Mercy Corps programming in Kenya in the achievement of MC program objectives and in alignment with all People functions and Development. The People & Culture Manager is required to effectively build the people and culture capability of the team under their leadership; support the leading and manage an effective People & Cultures function to support management of the employee lifecycle; and contribute to broader organizational and strategic management. The position also has a key role as ambassador for organizational culture and values, ensuring they are visible, embedded and upheld.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision:

• Identify weaknesses in current People systems, advise the Director of People and Culture on outstanding issues and assist in designing and implementing policies and procedures as required.
• Contribute to the development and execution of MCK medium and long-term People and Culture strategy and ensure effective inclusion of key people and culture considerations.
• Read and understand the broader business environment and provide expert and informed analysis and strategic advice to ongoing operations and expected decisions.
• High level analysis of key people data and trends in support of strategic priorities, advising an appropriate course of action as required.

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CULTURE

• Contribute to the development of a robust culture through role modelling MC core values and the behaviors which drive this culture.
• Design and lead initiatives including research and diagnostics (e.g. annual employee engagement survey and exit interviews), to maximize the engagement of all employees and build organizational commitment to the desired culture.

Program Management:

Recruitment, Selection & Onboarding:

• Review position descriptions and prepare corresponding vacancy announcements for posting on job boards.
• Ensure the recruitment of national staff adheres to the standing Recruiting Policies and Procedures of MC Kenya.
• Responsible for the orientation of all new, national staff on Mercy Corps Country systems, policies and procedures.
• Ensure all new staff receive copies of the Country National Staff Policy Handbook and are alerted to benefits. Continue with support and advice on policies, as required.
• Assist with operational budget for staff coverage as requested.
• Anticipate future staffing needs, build pools of ready candidates through internal succession planning and external market knowledge and pro-active selection.

Leave Management:

• Establish and ensure a tracking system for all types of leave for all employees is maintained.

Performance Management:

• Ensure that employee performance evaluations are completed as scheduled and provide guidance on work and development plans as required.
• Work with managers and program leads to ensure that all national staff have an up-to-date and relevant position descriptions.
• Provide training and guidance to managers and staff to make best use of performance management process.

Employee Relations:

• Conduct exit interviews with staff who leave MCK and identify any issues affecting staff retention to ensure they are addressed.
• Ensure employee issues are dealt with in a prompt time frame so MCK is not exposed to potential legal risk, including assisting in investigations into grievances and complaints where required.
• Participate in disciplinary, hiring and termination meetings with program staff upon request.
• Advise staff (national and international) on disciplinary procedures.
• Ensure Mercy Corps people and culture policies strictly adhere to Country Labour law as applicable. This includes payment of appropriate taxes, benefits etc.
• Maintain confidentiality of all national staff personnel issues including disciplinary procedures and contracts/ pay rates.

Administration & Legal:

• Provide oversight for maintaining people files for all staff – including recruitment documents, CVs, valid contracts, PAFs, timesheets, employee data sheets, disciplinary papers and performance evaluations by periodically auditing files.
• Maintain annual holiday schedule including determination of exact holidays in advance of the holiday (as possible) and inform all staff.
• Ensure service contracts for service providers are reviewed and updated as appropriate for example Medical Insurance, GPA, Legal, Consultants and any other that may come up.

Remuneration & Benefits:

• Ensure Salaries and benefits adhere to Mercy Corps salary scales and standing protocols.
• Advise staff (national and international) on salary policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with a delegated team member, ensure monthly payroll is ready for processing in conjunction with finance department and ensure payroll is delivered in a timely manner to all team members.
• Ensure terminal benefits for exited staff are processed in a timely manner, by 15th of the following month.

Team Management:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes by working with staff representatives.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.