Employee Relations Specialist (MENAEE & LAC)

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Specialist, Employee Relations (MENAEE & LAC) to join our global team.

Team and Job Purpose

To ensure fair and compliant employee relations processes in order to foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture while adhering to all legal and organizational standards. The Employee Relations team analyses data and trends to identify areas for improvement, builds capacity to handle complex issues effectively, and conducts thorough investigations into cases, disciplinaries, and appeals. Through these efforts, the team supports the organization's mission to create an equitable and supportive work environment for all employees.

Role purpose

To provide expert advice on employee relations matters, uphold SCI’s values of integrity and accountability, and contribute to a productive and inclusive work environment. This role ensures fair and consistent handling of disciplinary and appeal processes, while fostering a culture of respect and empowerment. By building capacity in employee relations best practices, this role supports the achievement of SCI’s mission to protect and promote the well-being of children. 

Job Title: Specialist, Employee Relations (MENAEE & LAC)

Reports To: Head of Employee Relations

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available 

Contract Length: Permanent

Grade: P3

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location in MENAEE region. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers

Time Zone (that the role holder must be available to work in): MENAEE Time Zones (UTC/GMT + / - 3 hours) preferred

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment. 

Language Requirements: English; Arabic will be an added advantage 

International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 10% 

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead and manage the investigation and resolution of employee grievances and disciplinary cases, partnering with colleagues on complex multi-faceted cases, ensuring a fair and timely process that upholds SCI’s values and policies. 
• Monitor and report on employee relations trends to identify areas for improvement and inform policies and practices, ensuring SCI remains a safe, fair, and equitable organisation. 
• Foster strong relationships with employees at all levels, promoting open communication and trust to create a collaborative and respectful work environment. 
• Provide expert advice and support to managers on complex employee relations issues, enhancing their capability to handle cases effectively and in alignment with organisational values and legal requirements.
• Partnering with Country Office Senior Management Teams as an SME (Subject Matter Expert) to provide guidance on all highly complex employee relations issues with advice from internal or external legal teams as needed 
• Ensure compliance with SCI’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies by embedding inclusive practices within all employee relations activities, helping to build a culturally competent and respectful organisation. 
• Ensure efficient implementation of final recommendations, maintaining accurate and thorough records at all stages and prioritising support for colleagues involved. 

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Significant experience in handling employee grievances and disciplinary cases, ensuring processes are fair, timely, and aligned with organisational policies. 
2. Demonstrated ability in providing expert advice and support to managers on complex employee relations issues, enhancing their capability to handle cases effectively.
3. Extensive involvement in fostering strong relationships with employees and promoting a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
4. Significant experience in monitoring and reporting on employee relations trends to inform policies and practices, ensuring a safe and equitable organisational culture. 
5. Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; capable of articulating complex issues clearly and authoritatively.
6. Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to monitor and report on employee relations trends, identify areas for improvement, and inform policies and practices.
7. Conflict Resolution: Advanced skills in conflict resolution and negotiation, with the ability to mediate complex employee relations issues tactfully and effectively.
8. Relationship Management: Ability to foster strong relationships with employees at all levels, promoting open communication and trust. Integrity and Ethical Judgement: High level of integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality and impartiality at all times.
9. Project Management: Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee the efficient implementation of final recommendations and maintain accurate records.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Expert understanding of employment laws and regulations in one or more countries in MENAEE and LAC that SCI programmes in.

Desirable

• Qualifications, experience or training in mediation, conflict resolution, or labour law would be advantageous. 
• Professional certifications in Human Resources (such as CIPD) are desirable.

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found here via the job listing. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our recruitment process:

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.