Description

**This recruitment is being led by executive search firm Hendrick & Struggles. To be considered for the position, please submit by October 6, 2023 your application materials directly to MercyCorpsCPO@heidrick.com (only applications submitted directly to this email will be reviewed and considered).

About Mercy Corps**
Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. In more than 40+ countries around the world, over 5,400+ team members work side by side with people living through poverty, disaster, violent conflict, and the acute impacts of climate change. We’re committed to creating global change through local impact — 84% of our team members are from the countries where they work.

We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, addressing problems from multiple angles. And we go beyond emergency aid, partnering with local governments, forward-thinking corporations, social entrepreneurs, and people living in fragile communities to develop bold solutions that make lasting change possible.
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The Role**
In the context of ongoing growth and innovation, Mercy Corps is seeking a new Chief People Officer. This leader will join a dynamic senior team and serve as a thought partner to the CEO to drive the new strategic plan for the organization. This individual will hold a critical dual role as both a functional leader of people and culture and a senior business advisor with extensive knowledge of and contribution to the organization’s strategy.
The new leader will be responsible for all aspects of human capital and will ensure that all people strategies align with the global organizational direction. A partner to the global leaders, the CPO will bring a mix of pragmatism and operational excellence, combined with strategic capabilities.
A global mindset and strong affiliation for what Mercy Corps does and stands for is critical for this role. We are seeking a CPO that will think globally, be collaborative, role model inclusive and growth-minded leadership, build strong teams, problem-solve, and have a solutions-focused approach. The CPO must be a systems thinker, who can help senior management handle the array of people challenges that might arise in the complex environments where we work and in a fully matrixed organization. The role also requires a doer, who can roll up their sleeves to execute solutions and operate a strategic People function.

Qualities & Competencies We are Looking For:
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Strategic Leadership & Business Advisor:** The CPO will serve as a thought partner to the CEO and senior leadership, contributing to the development and execution of the organization's strategic plan. Their deep understanding of both people and business strategies will enable them to align human capital initiatives with the global organizational direction.
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Functional Leadership:** As a functional leader of people and culture, the CPO will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of human capital, including talent acquisition, development, engagement, and retention. They will drive organizational performance through effective people strategies.
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Global Perspective:** Given Mercy Corps' international scope, a global mindset is essential. The CPO should be experienced in working with diverse teams across different cultural contexts and geographies. This includes understanding and navigating international labor laws, regulations, and cultural nuances.
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Emotional Intelligence**: It is critical that the CPO be curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, humble, and willing to listen. Having a growth mindset while possessing a passion for Mercy Corps’ mission. It is important that this leader be a courageous and inspirational leader.
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Culture Shaper and Carrier**: The CPO will have a track record and experience of holding themselves and team members accountable to evolving cultures across complex global environments. They must be able to be champion for all types of diversity and inclusion and actively advocate for and welcome a diversity of backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging among team members.
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Operational Excellence:** The CPO should bring a blend of pragmatism and operational excellence. This means not only developing innovative people strategies but also ensuring their effective implementation at all levels of the organization and across the contexts where Mercy Corps works.
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Alignment with Organizational Values:** A strong affiliation with Mercy Corps' mission and values is crucial. The CPO should embody the organization's commitment to diversity, inclusion and localization and have a genuine passion for its international humanitarian and development work. They will champion the core behaviors of Cultivate Inclusion, Collaborate, Act with Integrity and Be Curious.
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Collaboration and Partnership:** As a partner to global leaders, the CPO will need excellent collaboration and communication skills. They must be able to influence and work with senior leaders to drive organizational change and enhance the employee experience by serving as a champion for greater transparency and trust among internal teams.

Change Management: Given the focus on growth and innovation, the CPO will be skilled and have experience in change management at a global organization. They'll need to lead the organization through transitions while maintaining a positive and productive work environment.
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Key Responsibilities:**

Collaborate with the executive team to ensure that HR strategies directly support the organization's goals and strategic plan. Regularly review and adjust HR practices to align with the evolving needs of the organization.
Develop and maintain employment policies and procedures that encompass recruitment, retention, compensation, training, development, and compliance. Ensure that policies are communicated effectively to all global team members and are consistently applied.
Continuously enhance HR systems and processes to streamline workflows and create a user-friendly experience for global team members. Implement technology solutions that facilitate self-service for routine HR tasks.
Create a comprehensive talent strategy that covers the talent life cycle from talent attraction, development, recognition, engagement, and retention. Use data analytics to track, analyze, and report key metrics that measure the success of talent initiatives.
Build a culture of integrity and accountability through ethical decision making and by holding others accountable. Collaborate closely with Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer to address HR misconduct/management issues and build systems to strengthen people management practices.
Ensure that all HR decisions and practices are aligned with Mercy Corps' commitment to global equity and the desired organizational culture.
Champion programs and initiatives that foster a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Provide leadership development opportunities that equip managers with the skills to lead diverse teams effectively and foster an inclusive work environment.
Establish Mercy Corps as an attractive employer in the talent market by showcasing the organization's mission and values. Mobilize multiple sourcing avenues to attract high-quality and diverse talent. Prioritize a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.
Develop a compensation strategy based on reliable benchmarks and aligned with the organization's goals. Ensure that compensation practices are fair, transparent, and in line with global market standards.
Empower HR and People team members through coaching, training, and professional development opportunities.
Implement initiatives that enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being. Lead efforts to foster an inclusive and engaged workplace culture.
Implement HR practices that adhere to international laws and policies across different regions and customize HR strategies to respect cultural differences while maintaining global consistency.
Anticipate organizational challenges and provide exceptional HR consultancy services to senior leadership. Offer guidance on complex HR issues and ensure alignment with strategic goals.

Accountability
People Team Function: Global HR, Global Talent Acquisition, People Development, People Systems & Analytics, Total Rewards, People Operations
Reports Directly To: Chief Executive Officer
Works Directly With: Global Senior Leadership Team, Chief Operations Officers, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Mercy Corps Europe Executive Direction, VP of Strategy Realization

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualifications and Transferable Skills:

Bachelor's degree required; MA preferred.
Minimum 10 years of direct HR experience as a generalist and leader.
Experience operating in a multicultural, highly matrixed, and networked global organization.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop, manage and inspire others.
Understanding of systems and data used to support a high functioning People/HR department.
Strong change management experience and proven track record of cultivating an inclusive culture of belonging.
Ability to problem solve in stressful crises and emergency situations and complex environments.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
Established ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a multicultural, face-to-face, and virtual environment and with all levels of the organization.
Strong customer focus and understanding of how to deliver and communicate new ideas and change.
Knowledge of the global humanitarian and development sector with and understanding of the challenges faced by organizations tackling complex, global poverty and social justice issues is preferred.

Success Factors
The Chief People Officer will have a deep passion for strategic and globally complex human capital systems and practices. Experience working with and acting as a thought partner to various, geographically dispersed stakeholders, including the CEO, Board, Leadership Team, and direct reports. They will be able to partner with Mercy Corps’ senior leaders and executives, have deep technical global human resources expertise and will keep their team connected to and fully aligned with Mercy Corps’ business strategy. With inclusivity and a reliable, leader-as-coach style, they will be able to handle multiple complex people challenges where emotions may be charged. They will bring curiosity, self-awareness, be cognizant of bias, empathy and be a humble leader who is willing to listen. They must have a track record and experience of holding themselves and team members accountable to evolving cultures across complex global environments. They have demonstrated experience of leading organizational change initiatives, and are deeply reflective, willing to adapt and change course as new insights emerge. They can balance a participatory approach that builds ownership, with the knowledge of when to drive forward to a decision. They can be courageous in holding themselves and others accountable while inspiring and shaping culture.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in (Washington DC) and requires up to 25% travel to the field and other HQ offices where living conditions may be exceptionally rugged or be in volatile environments where security protocols will need to be followed. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion**
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin,

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.