Job Summary

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) II provides expert HR support and acts as a single point of contact for employees and managers of assigned business unit.  The position focuses on building relationships and partnering with employees and management to meet agency objectives and serve the mission. The HRBP II acts as a consultant to management on human resource-related issues. The role assesses and anticipates HR-related needs by identifying gaps, diagnosing root causes and proposing means to develop integrated solutions.  The position works closely with the HR department and business management.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Counsel, make recommendations, and support all facets of employee relations to ensure effective staff management to include disciplinary action, conflict resolution, performance issues, dismissals, position eliminations, and for-cause dismissals.
• Investigate significant employee relations’ cases; drafts responses to EEOC and other third party charges.
• Review and edit disciplinary and corrective action letters as well as performance improvement plans, offering assistance and guidance to management
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partner with legal department as needed/required.
• Design and implement solutions that that get to the root cause of any issue, no matter how complex.
• Providing general Organizational Development support to managers, proactively highlighting areas or issues that would seem strange or problematic to an outside observer (e.g. a supervisor with 12 direct reports)

Policy Interpretation and Enforcement

• Provide HR policy guidance and interpretation
• Work collaboratively with management to ensure consistent application of policy, practices and initiatives to provide HR solutions that positively impact the agency.
• Monitor and update relevant employee relations’ policies and employment practices, ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations and laws.
• Working with HR Operations to assess questions around consulting vs. employment issues
• Reviewing, tracking, and approving Alternative Work Arrangements requests.

Employee Onboarding

• Providing “Day One” Orientations to all new US and International staff
• Providing “Day Five” Orientations to all new US and International Staff
• Performing I-9 verifications for new US employees
• Working with other parts of HR (Recruiting, Employee Engagement) and other Divisions (i.e. IT) to ensure efficient and smooth onboarding logistics.

Employee Terminations

• Managing employee terminations and leading the process of employee involuntary terminations by working closely with managers to determine appropriate mechanisms and communication and ensuring terminations follow CRS policy as well as external legal regulations (e.g. notification periods, etc.)
• Scheduling and conducting exit interviews, capturing relevant information and insight
• Manage repatriation process for international staff, out-processing for domestic staff and payroll termination transactions.
• Respond to unemployment insurance requests and represent agency at hearings.
• Drafting severance agreements in line with CRS protocols, delivering them to affected employees, and following up to ensure they are executed
• Coordinating with Global Knowledge Information Management and Finance to communicate and collect back outstanding financial advances and/or equipment from departing employee
• Classifying separations into relevant categories (e.g. “regrettable loss”) and determining and recording whether an employee can be re-hired or not

Ethics and Investigations

• Monitoring EthicsPoint and organizing appropriate action / response in a timely manner
• Proactively leading investigations related, allegations of harassment, discrimination, and /or hostile work environment, and child and vulnerable adult protection incidents reported though the whistleblower site coordinating closely with Legal as appropriate

Data and Transactions

• Communicating employee lifecycle events (change in status, promotion, lateral move, termination, etc.) in a timely manner to the people or systems that need to be informed
• Providing timely metrics, and related analysis, to guide decision making, propose solutions and help business managers better understand HR trends, issues, and gaps

Employee Engagement and Retention

• Monitor staff morale and retention through stay and exit interviews noting trends and developments
• Liaising with Talent Development to implement action plans following the Staff Survey
• Works closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Be a role model of CRS values championing a culture of engagement, communication and collaboration to promote the employee experience.

Strategic HR Consulting

• Serve as a strategic partner to business leaders, establishing HR business objectives that align with the overall agency plans and strategic objectives.
• Helping managers and staff understand and navigate initiatives coming out of HR; partnering with HR managers of Recruiting, Compensation, Benefits, Learning, and Talent to help ensure that programs are well-timed, well-packaged, and well-understood.
• Bring HR insights to business issues to help shape solutions
• Build effective relationships across the agency
• Be a partner and trusted adviser to Senior Leadership teams
• Conducts and participates in regular meeting with respective business units

Preferred Qualifications 

• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Ability to assess multi-faceted issues, anticipate potential problems, and apply high level of skill and judgment around complex and ambiguous issues.
• Effective written/verbal communication skills, active-listening, counseling, interviewing, investigating and report writing.
• Well-developed people skills, high level of emotional intelligence; excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to develop strong trusting relationships with employees at all levels.
• Ability to maintain high levels of integrity and confidentiality regarding agency and employee matters.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively at both an operational and strategic level
• The ability to understand business goals and recommend new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in business objectives, productivity and development of HR within the company

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Employee Services Team, HR staff, CRS staff

External:  Vendors

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in HR Management or Development. Master’s degree and/or PHR or SPHR strongly preferred.
• Five to seven years’ experience in HR, with at least two as an HR Business Partner
• Legal and regulatory knowledge of employee relations and employment law. Proven experience and demonstrated understanding of employment and human resources related laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts and practices, including but not limited to Title VII, ADA and FMLA.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of human resources management.
• Proficient use of MS Office. HRIS experience or other database experience a plus.
• French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic a plus.
• Understanding of U.S. Government contracting and pertinent regulations.
• Exposure to global human resources management desired.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

WHAT WE OFFER

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements