JOB DESCRIPTION
Position:
Location:
Responsible to:
Responsible for:
Head of People & Achievement
Kentish Town, London
Director of Finance and Operations
UK and Programmes HR Advisers, HR & OM officer
Salary:
£44,750 - £50,000 (depending on experience)
Start date:
Applications deadline:
ASAP
24th January 2016
1. Background
War Child was established in 1993 as a response to the brutal effects of conflict on children during the Balkans war. We
now work in Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.
War Child’s vision is of a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war, and our contribution to achieving
this vision is articulated in our mission:
to support and improve the protection and care of children and young people who live with a combination of
insecurity, poverty and exclusion in some of the worst conflict-affected countries in the world
.
We deliver this mission through three strategies:
 Service delivery (directly and through local partner organisations)
 Investment in local protection structures and systems
 Advocacy
We focus on issues which particularly affect children in conflict areas, and have three main programmes:
 Education
 Livelihoods
 Child protection
We aim to respond to conflict emergencies early, bringing life-saving child protection and psycho-social support to children
in acutely vulnerable situations as soon as we can. However, our mission extends through post conflict to recovery phases,
meaning that we will stay with affected populations until the impact of conflict is no longer the primary driver of issues that
need to be addressed. This is a relatively wide intervention range which reflects our concern for individual children and
their long term recovery from conflict shock.
War Child’s strategic plan anticipates significant growth in the number of children we support and the number of people
(employees, project staff, volunteers, consultants) we need to make that happen. The job of Head of People and
Achievement is a new role intended to support that growth and to help War Child operate more effectively. At the same time
we are increasing the capacity of our HR team so as to be able to support our operations worldwide. We currently work in
Iraq, Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Jordan in response to the Syria
crisis.
As we grow, we want to make sure that we remain true to our values and develop ways of working that support this culture.
The Head of People and Achievement will play a key role in making this happen.
2. Purpose of Role
To support the Director Finance & Operations and the Senior Management team in maximising the potential of War Child’s
people resources, through the development and operation of devolved human resource policies and activities, which reflect
and reinforce organisational strategy and values.
3. Key Responsibilities / Deliverables
I.
Develop, implement and evaluate War Child’s people and achievement strategy.
II.
Provide up to date advice and development to directors and managers, both in the UK and National offices, on all
aspects of people and performance management, including recruitment, induction, retention and wellbeing, so as
to help ensure War Child remains an employer of choice.
III.
Maintain and develop the organisations’ job grading, pay & benefits and pensions systems and ensure such
systems remain fit for purpose for UK, International and National employees.
IV.
Lead projects to develop and improve global HR systems and UK office management systems, including projects
to better meet War Child’s Quality Standards Framework.
V.
Ensure that War Child’s Global HR, volunteer management and Health & Safety policies are up to date, fit for
purpose, communicated and assist managers in making sure they are followed effectively. Work with the Head of
Finance to develop and deliver an internal audit function for HR.
VI.
Lead the People and Achievement team in planning and delivering an excellent service to all UK and National
offices. Manage and develop the HR Advisers and HR & OM officer in order to ensure that they have the knowledge
and skills to achieve agreed performance targets and in accordance with War Child’s HR policies.
VII.
Assist managers and directors to identify individual, team and organisation training needs. Support managers and
directors to plan and implement training programmes to ensure War Child staff have the skills needed to deliver
the organisation’s objectives.
VIII.
Promote diversity throughout War Child’s policies and practices so as to ensure War Child continues to harness
the benefits of a diverse workforce.
IX.
Lead on child safeguarding for War Child and ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place to protect
the children we work with.
X.
Support and advise managers in the management of organisational change in key project or activity areas to
ensure such change is effective in delivering the organisation’s plans and objectives and in accordance with War
Child values.
XI.
Ensure the organisation’s human resource management systems are kept up to date and provide appropriate
information to the Audit & Risk Committee, directors and managers. Carry out periodic staff satisfaction surveys
and propose ways to address weaknesses in order to remain an employer of choice.
XII.
Develop and manage HR and Office Management budgets in accordance with the Global Finance Manual.
Negotiate third party contracts involving the delivery of HR and Office Management services, such as legal advice,
private medical, travel insurance, payroll and office services. Manage these third party relationships effectively.
XIII.
Support the Staff Council to ensure that staff have an effective voice in issues that affect their employment.
XIV.
Ensure the maintenance and management of office systems, equipment, and premises for the UK office and
ensure that they remain fit for purpose and support our people in delivering the strategic plan.
4. Person Specification – Essential Criteria
Experience & Technical Skills
 Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) (or non-UK equivalent)
 Extensive experience at a senior level of HR management, with demonstrable knowledge and hands-on
experience of best practise policies and procedures throughout the HR lifecycle in a values driven culture.
 Significant expertise in dealing with complex employee relations situations in a way that achieves positive
solutions and diffuses conflict where possible
 Good knowledge of pay, grading and remuneration systems, including pensions.
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Knowledge of HR in the international charity sector
Solid experience of line management, and a strong understanding of the principles of good performance
management, appraisal and development, including their application
Up to date knowledge of UK employment and equalities legislation and its implications for organisational policy
and practice
Strong project management experience and a track record in managing projects from conception through to
action planning, implementation and monitoring
Experience of developing organisation training needs analysis. Experience of delivering training would be
beneficial.
Excellent written and verbal English. A second language (French and/or Arabic) would also be beneficial.
Competencies
 A result oriented and problem solving approach to work and challenges
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a high degree of emotional intelligence to deal with a
variety of internal and external stakeholders and the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels
 Objective and able to use sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide timely, accurate, expert and
professional advice and decisions – even when dealing with stressful and emotional topics and situations.
 Able to process and articulate complexity in a clear and coherent way
 Highly organised with the ability to prioritise tasks and deadlines
.
This role may require some travel to our overseas country offices.
5.
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Terms and conditions
Preferred start date:
Salary:
Permit requirement:
Pension:
Leave:

Working hours:
As soon as possible
£44,750 - £50,000 (depending on experience)
Must be eligible to work in the UK
up to 5% of gross salary to be matched by employee
28 days per year, plus one extra day for every full year of employment
(up to a maximum of 33 days)
37.5 hour week