Director, Human Resources (Adv#196/2023)

icddr,b is an international health research institute based in Bangladesh. Policymakers and practitioners utilize our evidence and expertise to improve health outcomes and prevent premature death and disability worldwide.  

In recognition of its scientific and humanitarian contributions, icddr,b has won many international awards, including most notably: 

• In 2001, icddr,b received the first Gates Award for Global Health for its development of oral rehydration solution, an innovation credited with saving 50 million lives, and
• In 2017, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in recognition of icddr,b’s innovative approach to solving global health issues impacting the world’s most impoverished communities.

Since icddr,b was established in 1960, our research focus has broadened from cholera and diarrhoeal diseases to encompass many other health challenges facing people living in poverty. While still addressing a range of health issues, we are implementing a focused research strategy that builds on our location and proven strengths, and enables us to concentrate our resources on some of the most pressing and intractable health concerns of the global South. We are engaged with the Government of Bangladesh as well as actively sharing our evidence and experience with other low and middle-income countries to ensure that our research benefits people in the greatest need. 

Our research priorities are organised around nine public health goals:

• Address health risks related to climate change
• Address health risks related to gender, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
• Prevent and manage non-communicable diseases
• Improve healthcare in urban populations and achieve universal health coverage
• Prevent and control infectious diseases
• Improve maternal and newborn health
• Reduce maternal, adolescent and childhood malnutrition
• Enhance laboratory services and support genomics research
• Improve hospital services and clinical research

While continuing to conduct research in Bangladesh, we are developing more collaboration with research institutions in the global South, leading and participating in research studies in South Asia and other low-income countries.

JOB PROFILE

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director, Human Resources (DHR) leads a dynamic team of experienced professionals who provide highly effective and efficient strategic and operational HR Business Partner support to leaders and employees at icddr,b. The Director Human Resources is also the champion of values, leadership and talent development at icddr,b and a key link to the Staff Welfare Association.  In addition, the Director, Human Resources provides leadership and management to the Day Care Centre and the Staff Clinic.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the Recruitment, Interview, Hiring, and Retention process of staff in the Organization

• Collaborates with senior leadership to understand the organization’s goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, and retention.
• Establishes and leads the standard recruiting and hiring practices and procedures necessary to recruit and hire a superior workforce.
• Interviews management and executive-level candidates; serve as interviewer for position finalists.
• Chairs any additional employee selection committees or meetings as necessary.

Development of the Human Resources Department

• Oversees the implementation of Human Resources programs through Human Resources staff. Monitors administration to establish standards and procedures. Identifies opportunities for improvement and resolves any discrepancies.
• Oversees and manages the work of reporting Human Resources staff. Encourages the ongoing development of the Human Resources staff.
• Develops and monitors an annual budget of $0.7M that includes Human Resources services. 
• Selects and supervises Human Resources consultants and training specialists, and coordinates use of insurance brokers, insurance carriers, pension administrators, and other external providers.
• Conducts a continuing study of all Human Resources policies, programs, and practices to keep management informed of new developments.
• Leads the development of department goals, objectives, and systems.
• Establishes departmental measurements that support the accomplishment of icddr,b strategic goals.
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of such reports as are necessary to carry out the functions of the department. Prepares periodic reports for management, as necessary or requested, to track strategic goal accomplishment.
• Develops and administers programs, procedures, and guidelines to help align the workforce with the strategic goals of the organisation.
• Participates in executive, management, and icddr,b Senior Leadership Team staff meetings and attends other meetings and seminars.
• Develops business management and measurement techniques such as Dashboard, KPIs and Risk.

Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

• Manages the development and maintenance of the Human Resources information systems.
• Drives data requirements and developments to inform Dashboard, KPIs, Risk and other HR and wider management tools.

Training and Development

• Oversees all Human Resources talent development and training programs, and assigns the authority/responsibility of Human Resources and managers within these programs. Oversees the provision of the necessary education and materials to managers and employees including workshops, manuals, employee handbooks, and standardized reports.
• Leads the implementation of the performance management system including performance improvement plans and employee development and mentoring programs.
• Manages the provision of the in-house employee training system that addresses icddr,b technical and non-technical training needs, including training needs assessment, new employee orientation or on-boarding, management development, the measurement of training impact, and training transfer.
• Assists managers with the selection and contracting of external training programs and consultants.
• Assists with the development of and monitors the spending of the icddr,b training budget.

Employee Relations

• Formulates and recommends Human Resources policies and objectives for icddr,b.
• Partners with management and scientists to define, design, develop and deliver Human Resources policies, procedures and programs.
• Determines and recommends employee relations practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote a high level of employee morale and motivation.
• Monitors and advises managers and supervisors in the progressive discipline system of icddr,b.
• Monitors the implementation of a performance improvement process with non-performing employees.
• Reviews, guides, and approves management recommendations for employment terminations.
• Reviews employee appeals through the icddr,b complaints procedure.

Compensation

• Establishes the icddr,b salary structure, pay policies, and oversees the variable pay systems within the organisation including bonuses and increments.
• Leads competitive market research to establish pay practices and pay bands that help to recruit and retain superior staff.
• Monitors all pay practices and systems for effectiveness and cost containment.
• Leads participation in at least one salary survey per two-year.

Benefits

• With the assistance of Director Finance, obtains cost effective, employee serving benefits; monitors national benefits environment for options and cost savings.
• Leads the development of benefit orientations and other benefits training.
• Recommends changes in benefits offered, especially new benefits aimed at employee satisfaction and retention.

Compliance Management

• Ensures compliance/engagement with all existing governmental and labor legal and government reporting requirements.
• Directs the preparation of information requested or required for compliance with laws. Approves all information submitted.
• Protects the interests of employees and icddr,b in accordance with icddr,b Human Resources policies and any applicable governmental laws and regulations.

Organization Development

• Designs, directs and manages an icddr,b wide process of organization development that addresses issues such as succession planning, superior workforce development, key employee retention, organization design, and change management.
• Manages employee communication and feedback through such avenues as icddr,b meetings, suggestion programs, employee satisfaction surveys, employee focus groups, one-on-one meetings and HR advisory visits.
• Directs a process of organizational planning that evaluates icddr,b structure, job design, and personnel forecasting throughout icddr,b. Evaluates plans and changes to plans. Makes recommendations to executive management.
• Identifies and monitors the organization(s) culture so that it supports the attainment of icddr,b(s) goals and promotes employee satisfaction  
• Leads a process of organization development that plans, communicates, and integrates the results of strategic planning throughout the organization.
• Keeps the Executive Director and the Senior Leadership Team informed of significant problems that jeopardize the achievement of icddr,b goals, and those that are not being addressed adequately at the line management level.
• Liaises with the Staff Welfare Association.
• The Director, Human Resources assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

THE CANDIDATE

Knowledge and Competencies

• Broad knowledge and experience in employment law, compensation, organizational planning, organization development, employee relations, safety, and training and development.
• Above average oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent written and oral English.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills.
• Evidence of cultural sensitivity
• Demonstrated experience in managing Gender, Equality and Diversity issues
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop Human Resources staff members.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a successful participant on the executive management team that provides leadership and direction.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with the icddr,b Board of Trustees.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must include Excel and skills in database management and record keeping.
• Experience in the administration of benefits and compensation programs and other Human Resources programs.
• Evidence of the practice of a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Qualifications and Experience

• Masters Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organization Development or similar relevant subject
• Fellow/Chartered membership of internationally recognized HR institute.
• Fifteen (15) plus years of progressive leadership experience in Human Resources positions with 5 plus years as a Director of HR or equivalent
• Specialized training/qualification in employment law, compensation, organizational planning, organization development, employee relations, gender, equality, diversity training, and labor relations, preferred.
• Active affiliation with appropriate Human Resources networks and organizations and ongoing community involvement, preferred.
• Possess ongoing affiliations with leaders in successful companies and organizations that practice effective Human Resources Management.
• Experience of working as a senior leader/manager in challenging cultural and international environments.

Compensation

This is an internationally recruited position for which icddr,b offers internationally competitive remuneration paid in US Dollars. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.   

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

icddr,b regrets that due to number of applications received, it will not be possible to reply to all individual applicants. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

For detailed information about the organisation, visit our website: www.icddrb.org.