Key Responsibilities

Transition to Direct Employment

• Lead and monitor the legal and operational transition to direct employment
• Assess employer obligations and financial, administrative and legal impacts
• Coordinate with the third-party employer, Legal Department and Finance teams to close the third-party employment arrangement
• Support the definition and implementation of payroll services and related governance
• Oversee the transfer and signature of employment contracts and mandatory documentation
• Ensure compliance with local authorities, labour institutions and social security bodies
• Review and validate monthly payroll and related social contributions

Structuring and Management of HR Functions

• Structure and strengthen the HR function at country office level, in coordination with Headquarters
• Develop and implement HR tools, procedures and manuals for national staff
• Ensure dissemination and proper application of HR policies and procedures among national and expatriate staff
• Act as a focal point for HR matters for both operational teams and management

HR Advisory and Support to Managers

• Advise and support managers on all HR matters (labour law, recruitment, contracts, performance management, remuneration, training, disciplinary procedures, etc.)
• Support team managers in staff supervision, performance evaluation and career development
• Coordinate and supervise HR staff and contribute to their capacity building

Recruitment and Staff Management

• Supervise and coordinate national staff recruitment processes in collaboration with operational teams
• Oversee onboarding and integration of new staff
• Ensure proper management, monitoring and compliance of employment contracts
• Contribute to the development and adjustment of national salary scales and benchmarks
• Supervise payroll processes in coordination with external providers

Training and Skills Development

• Identify individual and collective training needs in coordination with project teams
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the annual training plan
• Coordinate with Headquarters on training platforms and reporting

Employee Relations and Social Dialogue

• Support the establishment and functioning of staff representative bodies
• Contribute to the development and implementation of social dialogue strategies
• Monitor labour relations, disciplinary procedures and potential disputes, in coordination with Headquarters and legal counsel

Cross-Cutting Responsibilities

• Promote internal communication and a positive working environment
• Monitor compliance with internal rules and local labour legislation
• Contribute to audit preparation and HR reporting
• Act as focal point for expatriate staff HR matters in coordination with Headquarters

Project or context description

Expertise France is the French public agency for international technical cooperation.

It designs and implements projects aimed at supporting the balanced and sustainable development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.

The mission of Expertise France is to respond to requests from partner countries seeking to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of their public policies in order to address the environmental, social, economic and security challenges they face.

To this end, the Agency implements projects in the main areas of public policy, including:

• Democratic, economic and financial governance;
• Peace, stability and security;
• Sustainable development, climate and agriculture;
• Health and human development.

Required profile

Knowledge

• English speaking is mandatory, French is a strong asset

• Understanding of AFD and/or Expertise France frameworks, procedures and institutional requirements
• Strong understanding of project operational challenges and constraints, and ability to integrate them into HR decision-making
• Proven knowledge of local labour law, administrative procedures and employer obligations in the context of direct employment
• Strong command of HR processes, including recruitment, termination, career management, training and country office set-up
• Cross-functional skills in analysing and presenting HR, financial and legal data, with strong synthesis and reporting abilities
• Ability to support capacity building and skills development, including within functional reporting lines

Skills

• Strong organisational and drafting skills
• Ability to take a step back and maintain an overall vision in order to optimise HR structuring and workforce planning
• Negotiation skills

Personal Attributes

• Strong teamwork skills and collaborative mindset
• High level of rigour and reliability
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to operate in complex and challenging environments
• Strong stress management and resilience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Interest in working in a multicultural environment
• Clear and effective communication style
• Observational skills and attention to detail
• Availability, transparency and forward-thinking approach
• Creativity and responsiveness

Education / Qualifications:
Higher education degree in Human Resources or a related field

Professional experience: Minimum of 4 years' experience in the field of international cooperation (mandatory), Minimum of 6 years' experience in a similar position 

Additional information

Particular attention will be paid to candidates’ communication skills and their ability to work with a high level of rigour and reliability.

• Lead and monitor the legal and operational transition to direct employment
• Assess employer obligations and financial, administrative and legal impacts
• Coordinate with the third-party employer, Legal Department and Finance teams to close the third-party employment arrangement
• Support the definition and implementation of payroll services and related governance
• Oversee the transfer and signature of employment contracts and mandatory documentation
• Ensure compliance with local authorities, labour institutions and social security bodies
• Review and validate monthly payroll and related social contributions
• Structure and strengthen the HR function at country office level, in coordination with Headquarters
• Develop and implement HR tools, procedures and manuals for national staff
• Ensure dissemination and proper application of HR policies and procedures among national and expatriate staff
• Act as a focal point for HR matters for both operational teams and management
• Advise and support managers on all HR matters (labour law, recruitment, contracts, performance management, remuneration, training, disciplinary procedures, etc.)
• Support team managers in staff supervision, performance evaluation and career development
• Coordinate and supervise HR staff and contribute to their capacity building
• Supervise and coordinate national staff recruitment processes in collaboration with operational teams
• Oversee onboarding and integration of new staff
• Ensure proper management, monitoring and compliance of employment contracts
• Contribute to the development and adjustment of national salary scales and benchmarks
• Supervise payroll processes in coordination with external providers
• Identify individual and collective training needs in coordination with project teams
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the annual training plan
• Coordinate with Headquarters on training platforms and reporting
• Support the establishment and functioning of staff representative bodies
• Contribute to the development and implementation of social dialogue strategies
• Monitor labour relations, disciplinary procedures and potential disputes, in coordination with Headquarters and legal counsel
• Promote internal communication and a positive working environment
• Monitor compliance with internal rules and local labour legislation
• Contribute to audit preparation and HR reporting
• Act as focal point for expatriate staff HR matters in coordination with Headquarters

• Strong organisational and drafting skills
• Ability to take a step back and maintain an overall vision in order to optimise HR structuring and workforce planning
• Negotiation skills
• Strong teamwork skills and collaborative mindset
• High level of rigour and reliability
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to operate in complex and challenging environments
• Strong stress management and resilience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Interest in working in a multicultural environment
• Clear and effective communication style
• Observational skills and attention to detail
• Availability, transparency and forward-thinking approach
• Creativity and responsiveness

• Higher education degree in Human Resources or a related field
• English speaking is mandatory, French is a strong asset
• Understanding of AFD and/or Expertise France frameworks, procedures and institutional requirements
• Strong understanding of project operational challenges and constraints, and ability to integrate them into HR decision-making
• Proven knowledge of local labour law, administrative procedures and employer obligations in the context of direct employment
• Strong command of HR processes, including recruitment, termination, career management, training and country office set-up
• Cross-functional skills in analysing and presenting HR, financial and legal data, with strong synthesis and reporting abilities
• Ability to support capacity building and skills development, including within functional reporting lines