Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are included and supported to deliver on the mission of the organisation. People come to Mercy Corps to do the most impactful work of their lives. This is a place where you get to bring your full self. Curiosity, kindness, collaboration, optimism, courage, creativity โ these are some of the qualities that define our culture. We seek team members with different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking. Diversity is how we tackle the worldโs toughest challenges. We believe our values and behaviours encourage inclusion so that everyone feels they belong at Mercy Corps.
The Department
In this role you will be part of the Mercy Corps Europe People team whilst also enjoying benefits of being part of the Global People team. This team of People specialists work together ensuring Mercy Corps attracts, develops, and retains the best global talent to enable it to be a world-class, cutting edge, humanitarian organisation, creating transformational change in the world.
Our aim is to drive strategic thinking and planning at all levels of the organisation; driving talent management to support team members achieve their highest potential, delivering great practices that promote the organisational culture. To achieve this, we align conversations on developing all colleagues; enhance everyoneโs experience with HR services, keep the organisation focused on what has the greatest impact; leverage our comparative advantages in the crowded and competitive international relief and development landscape; and assure we are constantly learning from our work and the external environment.
The Position
The Employee Relations Adviser will be primarily responsible for leading employee relations strategy across six jurisdictions (UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, France and Switzerland) and ensure compliance with appropriate legislation, regulations, policies and procedures. Act as a first point of contact for team leaders, managers and senior leaders. The position will work closely with the People team and internal/external stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely exchange and provision of information for managing all employee relationship matters in all jurisdictions.
You will be asked to promote our Mercy Corps values and behaviours and role model these with all those you connect with in your role. There will be opportunities for you to lead and manage projects which prioritise employee relations across Europe. We want you to be a problem solver, who can respond quickly to challenges in the workplace and the wider external regulatory environment; anticipate potential barriers and find opportunities to overcome these which meet the needs of the business.
You will be our champion of global initiatives across Europe promoting consistency of systems and processes in support of our people. We are looking you to be innovative, be curious and challenge our current ways of working to continuously improve the way we work.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Execution
Support HR Director to set and execute Employee Relations (ER) strategy, aligned to global approach and systems.
Liaise with global ER team, manage ER policy and process implementation across Europe, manage communications and execution of set priorities.
Employee Relations
Manage ER cases for all jurisdictions including the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, France and Switzerland.
Liaise with internal and/or external counsel to manage ER cases.
Work with the global ER team to develop procedures and processes, bringing operational efficiencies where needed.
Align ER Policy and Process to local regulatory and legislative requirements. Communicate to all team leaders, people managers and senior leadership.
Administer all records associated with ER cases, keep accurate and detail focused records. Store records/documents/evidence in employee files.
Communicate regular updates to team leader/people manager/senior leader/HR Director on all ER cases relevant to their teams.
Coordinate with the People Operations team any changes to employment as a result of ER case decisions, ensure these are processed accurately and on a timely basis.
Manage and resolve queries from team leaders/people managers/senior leaders.
Maintain ER Tracker to monitor and manage cases. Conduct lessons learned review post major ER case closure.
Learning and Development
Liaise with global ER team to design learning materials to support education programme for people managers.
Facilitate learning across Europe to all people managers.
Maintain accurate learning records.
Introduce accreditation of Disciplinary, Capability, and Grievance (DCG) for all people managers, in support of ER strategy across Europe.
Coach and develop other People professionals across Europe to support on ER cases.
Collaboration with stakeholders
Collaborate with HR People Operations team to manage all ER related issues/matters.
Work with the HR Director of Europe People team, maintain all Europe-specific processes and policies.
Collaborate with US-based colleagues align to global approach to ER.
Coordinate internal and external counsel to manage ER cases referred to them. Report updates to HR Director and team leader/people manager/ senior leader.
Develop, coach and mentor HR team members across Europe.
Supervisory responsibility: None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: HR Director, Europe People team
Works Directly With: You will work collaboratively with the global HR people team; Internal Counsel; Europe team leaders/ people managers/ senior leadership team; regional and country- level leadership; other internal stakeholders.
Minimum experience, expectations for this role
Bachelorโs degree (or HBO+ for the NL) in Human Resources, Management, International Law, International Relations or equivalent relevant qualification at degree/postgraduate level.
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience, in a fast-paced office environment working as a Employee Relations specialist, Internal Counsel, Legal professional.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to handle confidential information.
Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and cooperatively with team members and the ability to take direction as well as work independently.
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict, maintain patience and professionalism, whilst applying professional judgement.
Able to establish trusted relationships
Multi-tasking, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
Proven track record of managing internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent computer skills required, including familiarity with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint; comfort with IT functions a plus.
Experience with payroll administration and bookkeeping processes.
Experience with accounting procedures and software.
Speaks English fluently.
Desired Experience
International experience in a not-for-profit/charitable organisation, and/or commercial private sector.
Experience working with organisations in UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, France and/or Ireland.
A Dutch, Swiss, French speaker desirable.
Knowledge of local regulations/legislation across all jurisdictions.
Success Factors
You should apply for this role if you are a curious learner, self-directed, innovative and action orientated. We need you to be able to work independently, manage your deliverables as priorities in the business change. You will be empowered to speak up and share when you need additional support.
You will thrive in a fast-paced environment prone to rapid change and be willing to increase your responsibility over time. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a positive approach, a strong commitment to teamwork and personal accountability and the ability to be flexible and ensure that effective communication is a priority in all situations. You should be comfortable managing queries and complaints, resolving conflict effectively.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in either Edinburgh or Netherlands office and can be expected to travel for small amounts of time to the UK and Europe. Although international travel will be limited in this role, all Mercy Corps team members should be comfortable to travel to areas with limited access to medical facilities and amenities.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. 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.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corpsโ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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
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 worldโs 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, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.