Title: Human Resource Specialist – Individual Consultant
Unit: Human Resource and Organisation Development 

Position overview

We are looking for a mid-senior level human resource management professional with proven skills in talent acquisition, job analysis and evaluation, and development of job descriptions/terms of reference (ToRs).

The applicant must be results driven and motivated to make a difference. The Human Resource (HR) Specialist – Individual Consultant will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal, working in a cross-cultural, impact-oriented environment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about managing and developing the human capital within organisations and committed to helping build a greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). 

As ICIMOD moves into its new Strategy 2030 period from 2023, our programmes will be more focused and impactful, and we are eager to welcome someone who is a great team player and can add value to this important role.

Responsibilities

Talent acquisition (40%)

As the talent acquisition lead, the specialist will be responsible for sourcing, attracting, and hiring the most suited talent for ICIMOD. The specialist will work closely with the Head of Human Resource and Organisation Development (HROD) and hiring managers to identify staffing needs, develop recruiting strategies, and ensure a positive candidate experience throughout the hiring process. The applicant will need to be a self-starter with strong communication and organisational skills and a deep understanding of best practices in talent acquisition. 

Specifically, the specialist will be tasked with the following responsibilities under talent acquisition: 

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies in consultation with the Head of HROD with due consideration of diversity and inclusion to identify and attract (as relevant and appropriate) local, regional, and international talent for a variety of roles across the organisation. 
• Partner with hiring managers to understand their staffing needs, facilitate the development of ToRs, get the positions approved, and create job postings that accurately reflect the requirements of each position. 
• Screen resumes and applications, conduct initial phone screens, and coordinate assessments (interviews etc.) with hiring managers. Participate as a member of the selection panel (HR representative) for all junior- to mid-level positions. 
• Manage the candidate experience from initial contact to the offer stage, ensuring a positive experience for each candidate. Support the Head of HROD in the offer stage for senior positions. 
• Utilise various national and international sourcing tools, such as job boards, social media, and employee referrals, to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates. 
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including hiring managers, selection panels, and external recruiting agencies. 
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations throughout the hiring process. 
• Maintain a comprehensive recruitment tracker on a daily basis and provide a weekly report to the Head of HROD. Ensure robust documentation of the recruitment process. 
• Track and report on recruiting metrics (quarterly), including time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, candidate satisfaction, etc.
• Play a coordination role in the design and development of ICIMOD’s online recruitment system to digitally manage the end-to-end process ensuring alignment with best practices and company values. 

ToR development (30%)

ICIMOD has a new staffing structure effective from January 2023. Most staff members’ roles, responsibilities, and placements have changed from the previous structure, so the HROD Department is responsible for providing new ToRs to those staff. Under the close supervision of the Head of HROD and heads of units, the specialist will be responsible for developing accurate and up-to-date ToRs for all staff within ICIMOD whose roles have changed. The specialist will ensure that ToRs are reflective of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of each position and fit for purpose in the new structure. The applicant should be detail-oriented with strong analytical and communication skills and a deep understanding of best practices for job analysis and job description development.

Specifically, the specialist will be tasked with the following responsibilities under ToR development:

• Conduct job analysis referring to the standard Job profile document and gather information from supervisors and other stakeholders to develop brief ToRs that accurately reflect each position's duties, responsibilities, and requirements. 
• Issue the brief ToRs to individual staff and respond to their queries. Escalate complex queries and issues regarding the ToRs to the Head of HROD. 
• Maintain a ToR hub in HROD accessible to the HROD team and the Senior Management Committee. 
• Work closely with an external HR consulting firm to:
     -Update the existing Job profile document in line with the new staffing structure
     -Develop a new job analysis and job evaluation system
     -Organise capacity-building sessions for supervisors to orient and train them on how to conduct a job  analysis
     -Help identify a job evaluation committee and organise training for them
     -Support the roll-out and implementation of the new job analysis and job evaluation system 

General HR support (30%)

The Head of HROD may request the HR Specialist – Individual Consultant for general HR support in the areas of employee relations, HR business process streamlining, digitalising HR services (with the ERP team), and other areas of HR system strengthening. 

Minimum qualifications and requirements

• A master’s degree in human resource management, business administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in a relevant field is acceptable if the candidate has a professional certification in HR (e.g. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, CIPD PHR, SPHR).
• Expertise and training in job analysis and job evaluation is highly preferred
• A minimum of eight years of experience in HR with at least five years in a mid-senior HR role. Specialist experience in recruitment is highly preferred. 
• Experience working in a complex and dynamic organisation (preferably international nonprofits or international development organisations) with demonstrated success in leading HR projects and initiatives
• Experience in change management, including supporting change initiatives, is preferable
• Experience with HR technologies such as applicant tracking systems
• General knowledge of national and international employment laws and regulations
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to gather and synthesise information from multiple sources to develop accurate and comprehensive results
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Good project management skills and ability to deliver results on time and within budget
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and innovatively about HR solutions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Skills and competencies

• Cross-cultural impact: Effectively manages the complexity of working in a multicultural environment by integrating best practices from different cultures in workplace relationships.
• Result and impact orientation: Helps the organisation achieve its strategic short- and long-term goals leading to increased outcome and impact.
• Teamwork and cooperation: Provide information to and shares resources with other units; leads teams comprising people with different skill sets at various institutional levels through collaborative decision-making processes.
• Networking and stakeholder management: Identifies relevant stakeholders and partners and engages with them at the strategic level.
• Continuous improvement and innovation: Take an innovative approach to implementing new technology to inform ideas and working methods and is focused on continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinking: Evaluates issues from a multifunctional perspective to formulate plans and strategies to achieve long-term goals.
• Market awareness: Seeks market opportunities for new developments and proactively responds to market challenges.
• Behavioral flexibility and managing change: Adapt to change and adjusts to new circumstances while helping others do the same.

Reporting line

The HR Specialist – Individual Consultant will report to the Head of HROD.

Duration

May to December 2023 with a possibility of extension up to May 2024.

Duty station

Full-time (Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00) based at the ICIMOD headquarters in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Gender and equity policy 

Qualified and eligible women candidates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. ICIMOD upholds a gender equity policy and is supportive of women professionals. It operates a day-care centre at the campus and is committed to the integration of gender equity at organisational and programmatic levels.