HR Manager CRI - Caribbean locations (Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Puerto Rico)

Mercy Corps•San Juan, PR

10d

About The Position

The Caribbean Resilience Initiative Program (CRI) - Huma n Resources Manager is a strategic HR leader responsible for overseeing all human resources functions across Mercy Corps’ Caribbean program locations outside of U.S. territories. This role provides leadership, guidance, and operational support to program management and staff while ensuring compliance with local labor laws, organizational policies, and HR best practices. Serving as the HR focal point within the Program, the position coordinates with the U.S. HR team for employees based in the United States and Puerto Rico, while maintaining full accountability for HR operations in other Caribbean jurisdictions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, payroll, employee relations, and talent development. The role is a key member of the Program Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decision-making and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across the Program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources , Business Administration, or related field.
5+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in leadership role managing HR across multiple locations.
Experience operating in multi-jurisdictional environments
Strong knowledge of HR processes including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance.
Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and build relationships with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to navigate multicultural environments.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with data-driven decision-making ability.
Ability to manage complex HR issues across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Project management and organizational skills to handle multiple priorities.
Fluent English language proficiency required .
Demonstrated ability to manage workload in a remote work arrangement. Able to maintain operational consistency with other team members and actively keep management informed.
Proven experience and intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and the ability to navigate the Internet/intranet.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with U.S. labor laws is desirable, not required.

Responsibilities

D evelop and implement HR policies and procedures for non-U.S. locations in compliance with local labor laws.
Act as a trusted advisor to program leadership on HR-related matters, including workforce planning, and employee engagement.
Influence and guide managers on HR best practices, ensuring alignment across the CRI Program.
Contribute to the Program Leadership Team by providing HR insights that support strategic decisions.
Serve as the primary HR leader for Caribbean program locations, ensuring consistency in HR strategy and execution, and providing strategic guidance to Director and leadership team .
Serve as the HR focal point in the Program for the implementation of global initiatives related to the People Team function.
Coordinate with US HR team for employees U.S. , US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico hired assigned to the Program. The US HR team retains primary responsibility and decision-making authority for these employees, while the Program HR lead serves as liaison and operational support to ensure alignment and timely execution.
Ensure compliance with local labor laws, employment regulations, and MC policies in Caribbean jurisdictions.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, retention , wellbeing and engagement strategies for Caribbean personnel.
Responsible for maintaining personnel files for all staff – including recruitment documents, CVs, valid contracts, PAFs, timesheets, employee data sheets, disciplinary papers and performance evaluations.
Ensure the recruitment of national staff adheres to the standing Global Minimum Recruitment Standards.
Ensure participation of HR Department in interviews for new staff.
Ensure Salaries and benefits adhere to Mercy Corps salary scales and standing protocols.
Ensure Mercy Corps personnel policies strictly adhere to Country labour law as applicable. This includes payment of appropriate taxes, benefits etc.
Maintain a tracking system for all types of leave for all employees. Ensure proper configuration in Databasics in accordance with jurisdictional requirements.
Maintain up-to-date HCM system, staffing lists and org chart by Program and Department.
Ensure consistent performance management practices and career development support .
Ensure that employee performance evaluations are completed as scheduled.
Ensure that all national staff have an up-to-date relevant job description.
Maintain annual holiday schedule including determination of exact holidays in advance of the holiday (as possible) and inform all staff.
Coordinate coverage for operations during annual leave of key national staff with Program Director.
Oversee the monthly procedure of timesheets for all staff including collection, review and compilation into payroll, train new staff on timesheet procedure.
Process monthly payroll in conjunction with Finance staff, Employer of Record and/or external HR service provider to ensure payroll is delivered in a timely manner to all jurisdictions.
Maintain national staff I.D. cards.
Responsible for the orientation of all new, national staff on Mercy Corps Country systems, policies and procedures, according to onboarding matrix.
Ensure Country National Staff Policy Handbook is prepared and reviewed periodically and remains consistent with the latest labor regulations and Mercy Corps Policies.
Ensure all new staff receive copies of the Country National Staff Policy Handbook and are alerted to benefits. Continue with support and advice on policies, as required.
Assist Director in conducting or arranging for trainings and/or other human resource development activities.
Oversee the clearance of terminated employees, as per MC policies and procedures.
Manage employee relations, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures.
Participate in disciplinary and termination meetings with program staff upon request.
Ensure end of service procedures are properly implemented.
Monitor HR metrics and report on workforce trends, turnover, and other key indicators.
Partner with other departments (Finance, Operations, Legal, etc.) to ensure HR policies and practices support program goals.
Maintain confidentiality of all national staff personnel issues including disciplinary procedures and contracts/ pay rates.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.