Introduction
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) provides assistance to refugees and displaced persons around the world: we offer emergency aid to these people, advocate for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work towards the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, whenever possible, to fulfill their wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since become an international humanitarian organization with over 7,000 employees and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen, it is present in 40 countries.
1. Context
Under the leadership of the Dakar regional office and in close connection with interventions in neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), DRC began its operations in Cameroon in 2018, responding to the humanitarian needs of CAR refugees and vulnerable Cameroonians in the Adamawa region. Currently, DRC operates a main office in Meiganga and two sub-offices in Djohong (Adamawa region) and Garoua-Boulai (East region). In early 2019, DRC also initiated operations in the Southwest region to provide assistance addressing the basic needs of populations in terms of food, shelter, and protection in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In 2023, DRC launched an intervention in the Logone-et-Chari department in the Far North, with a priority to seek solutions to the root causes of intercommunal conflicts through programming focused on peacebuilding and resilience. DRC works with various local partners in Cameroon and is gradually increasing its financial support to Cameroonian civil society organizations. In 2024, DRC expanded its interventions in the Mayo Tsanaga Department in coordination with other humanitarian actors to provide livelihood assistance to the most vulnerable refugees in the Minawao camp.
2. Purpose
The DRC Cameroon is looking to recruit an experienced, highly- qualified and enthusiastic professional to join our great Human Resources team in Yaoundรฉ.
This role is a key partner to the Head of Support Services role in order to ensure proper implementation and updating of DRC procedures and guidelines within the country with a focus on compliance and functionality. The role mainly oversees all support, research and/or technical guidance on HR issues in Cameroon. The role includes regular travels to field locations in Cameroon following a need assessment conducted by the Senior Management Team of Cameroon. The role also contributes to the development of country strategies which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.
This position is a technical one, requiring consistent previous experience in a similar position. This position also requires solid knowledge in HR and safeguarding. This position also requires a full professional proficiency in French and English language.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
Under the authority of the Head of Support Services, the HR Specialist serves as a key partner to the Head of Support Services in managing all aspects of the Human Resources function. He/She is responsible for providing timely technical advice and support on HR matters, while ensuring the delivery of accurate, clear, and easily understandable HR information.
The HR Specialist will also ensure technical mastery and support for digital solutions used by DRC (such as Homรจre and Dynamics), as well as capacity strengthening of DRCโs implementing partners.
The main responsibilities and tasks of the HR Officer are the following :
Recruitment and people planning:
Work with senior management to identify needs for recruitment or replacements and come up with a planning and action plan for each Draft and update an organizational chart for Cameroon country mission monthly. Contribute to the project development on all aspects related to HR (organizational charts, narratives, etc) Drive and support all recruitment processes for Cameroon while ensuring they are unfolding in strict compliance with DRC policies and principlesOnboarding and Contracts
Oversee the necessary steps, including the documentation for the work contact edition and the smooth integration of the staff when and where needed. Establish an onboarding process for Cameroon country mission, considering the variety of roles, and oversee its global and systematic implementation to all new hires Ensure that staff receive a proper briefing on HR, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest when and where needed. The result is that they fully understand what is expected of them individually and collectively and what they benefit from. Oversee the regular updating of the visa tracker and follow up with international for visa renewal as well as with other administrative formalitiesEmployee well-being,
Proactively respond to and manage performance counselling, employee grievances and disciplinary issues as required, with a focus on building manager competency and ensuring compliance in terms of practice and documentation Act as an impartial mediator in disciplinary procedures and ensure it is administered in an equitable and fair manner and meets all legal and labor regulations and requirements Contribute to the identification, launching and technical assistance on staff well-being initiatives. Make sure that they are diverse enough and match the staff needs Ensure oversight and consistency in how well-being is implemented across the different field locations in Cameroon.Compensations & Benefits
Oversee the benchmarking the compensation and benefits situation in Cameroon (Birches Group, local surveys with International NGOS, etc) Establish the monthly payroll for Cameroon mission in a timely manner and in close collaboration with the HR Team in the field when needed. Supervise the review of the Compensation and Benefits system when and where needed and apply strict confidentiality to that topic until senior management authorizes the communication about it. Support communication and explication on that topic upon request from Cameroon Senior Management Team. Ensure oversight and consistency in how compensation and benefits are implemented across the different field locations in Cameroon.HR Capacity- building
Act as the HR Focal Point for all audits. Contribute to the analysis and implementation of all recommendations regarding HR Oversee the review and continuous improvement of Human Resources processes, policies, tools and templates and draft/update as needed, providing feedback on areas for improvement Oversee the updating of any board/ sitrep linked with HR piloting in Cameroon Advise on Cameroon legal framework Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly / annual reports as per the fixed deadlines and provide ad hoc reports as required by managementLearning and Development
Oversee the global and systematic implementation (and documentation) of Performance and Development meetings between managers and their team members. When the employee profile and performance do not suit the position and its expectations, make sure to follow up on the situation and guide managers into taking a proper course of action. Oversee the development of the Learning & Development Country Strategy for Cameroon Supervise the editing and regular updating of a catalogue of development and learning opportunities that staff in DRC Cameroon would benefit from. Feed it regularly with recommendations and collect feedback Work with senior management to enlist staff who are eligible to benefit from a learning and development opportunity. Keep track of that information and contribute to the successful and timely implementation Ensure oversight and consistency in how learning and development is implemented across the different field locations in CameroonCapacity Building of Partners
Conduct HR inductions for DRCโs local partners. Identify HR capacity-building needs of DRCโs local partners. Strengthening the HR capacities of DRCโs local partners.The responsibilities listed in this job advertisement are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs by the Head of Support Services and the Regional HR Manager but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.
4. Required Qualifications
Experience and technical competencies:
Required
University degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Human Resources and International / Humanitarian Law, Communications or similar. Minimum 4 yearsโ working experience in Human Resources Minimum 3 years of experience working with INGOs and international organizations with the following sectors in their portfolio โ protection, food security, WASH, shelter, NFIs, mine action, mine risk education, and armed violence reduction Strong working experience with ERP -HR software solutions (Homรจre, Saga, other) Proficiency in common computer packages i.e. Word, Excel, Power point etc Experience and willingness to work in the field in volatile and insecure areas; Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, team environment; Expรฉrience dans le domaine de renforcements des capacitรฉs des partenaires locaux ; Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions; Demonstrated commitment and strict adherence to confidentiality Effective communication skills (written and verbal); Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Frend and English other languages used in cameroon be a plus.Desirable
Working knowledge of Homรจre, Dynamics and Talent Management (digital solutions for recruitments) Experience within the private sector related to job counselling/ economic integration would be a plus Post graduate HR certificate or coaching certificate 5.Required Skills & Qualities Core Competencies of DRC: Striving for excellence Collaboration Taking the lead Communication Demonstrating Integrity Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment. Excellent writing, proof-reading, and communication skills. Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills Strong ability to adapt, take initiative and work in a multicultural environment. Interest for humanitarian sector and donorโs environment. Listening, analytical and synthesis skills. Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness. Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace.
6. General Regulations
The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework Employees should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization. Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period. Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization. Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.
7. Application Process
Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/currentvacancies.
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV - no longer than three (3) pages. Both must be either in English or French.
Applications sent by post, e-mail or by hand will not be considered.
DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.
Applications close on the 18 november 2025, at 6 pm (Cameroon time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above date.