Human Resources Senior Officer - Global Management of Operations

Organisational Context   

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a global ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. Founded in November 1980, JRS is now present in more than 50 countries. Its operations are currently structured across three levels: locally through project and country offices, regionally through regional offices, and globally with the support, coordination and guidance of the International Office. 

In response to a rapidly changing humanitarian context and significantly reduced funding, JRS is reshaping how to operate in a new and less favourable environment for migration and international solidarity.  

Local operations, organised in functional and sustainable Country Offices, remain at the heart of JRS’s work. They ensure needs-based interventions and accompaniment rooted in close engagement with forcibly displaced migrants and refugees.  

At global level, support is organised through global functions that bring together the essential processes, systems and expertise needed for JRS to operate effectively as one organisation. These include resource mobilisation, sound operations, and mission-driven programmatic support. They will be delivered through a Virtual Global Office (VGO), in which staff based in different locations work as part of globally coordinated teams with shared priorities, clear mandates and common operational focus.  

The VGO is structured around five global functions: Global Management of Operations, Global Resource Mobilisation, Global Mission-Oriented Transformation, Global Strategic Leadership, and Global Management Support. 

Global Function Area  

The objective of the Global Management of Operations (GMO) function is to ensure that JRS operations remain effective, aligned with JRS Mission and Global Strategic Framework, and accountable to the JRS governance bodies. GMO supports the development of country office operational plans and budgets, consolidates and analyses them at global level, and helps identify and address risks and opportunities across operational, financial, legal, safeguarding, reputational, and other relevant areas. It also contributes to operational improvement, organisational development, and capacity strengthening initiatives across the organisation.  

In cases of management emergency, GMO may intervene directly in operations, to support risk mitigation, and the return to standard management arrangements. It is a multifunctional area, that draws on expertise of staff from a range of backgrounds: programs, operations, finance, human resources, security, IT and organisational development. 

Role Description  

The HR Senior Officer will provide inputs on the design of global HR policies, and technical leadership for their implementation and monitoring. The HR Senior Officer supports Local Offices in applying global HR standards across recruitment, onboarding performance management, safeguarding requirements and compliance, and to develop context-related HR development strategies. The role feeds workforce and HR data into planning and consolidation processes, identifies capacity gaps, and coordinates targeted training. It also contributes to risk analysis, supports HR-related components of organisational improvement initiatives, and provides surge assistance in emergencies. 

The HR position reports to the Global Lead for Management of Operations, Finance and Risk Management, while ensuring functional alignment with the HR function under Global Management Support. 

Key Responsibilities  

1. Workforce Planning & Operational Alignment:  

• Contribute to the analysis of country operational HR plans, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and local realities;  

• Monitor implementation of HR country office strategies and plans, identifying gaps, risks, and capacity needs; 

• Feed workforce and HR data into planning, consolidation, and organisational decision-making;  

1. Risk Management and Continuous Improvement  

• Contribute to the development of HR global policies and systems in coordination with the HR function under Global Management support, and lead their dissemination and implementation at Country level;  

• Support Country Offices in recruitment processes for key positions, as needed; 

• Monitor consistent application of global HR Standards (Safeguarding and complaint management, Security and Recruitment, Performance management) across Country Offices, as part of the regular country operational planning and follow-up;  

• Provide expert advice on complex HR local operational challenges, and technical guidance on HR policies, systems and practices;  

• In collaboration with the Safeguarding advisor, set up and implement mechanisms to detect and monitor HR-related risks (safeguarding, compliance, capacity,…)  

1. Organisational Development  

• Lead HR contributions to institutional strengthening initiatives, including the Information Management System in coordination with the GMS HR function, and Leadership Development Programme;  

• Provide technical expertise and support to major organisational change processes (restructuring, downsizing, office mergers,) at country office level;  

• Define recurrent country office capacity development priorities, based on operational needs and work with the  Crisis Preparedness and Response Specialist to strengthen staff capacity in emergency management and crisis response. 

1. Leadership support and Staff supervision 

• Strengthen multi functional global task forces with HR implications   and promote consistency in the application of standards for HR across the organisation, in coordination with the HR function in Global Management Support; 

• Coordinate and provide technical supervision / support to HR staff within the JRS VGO GMO staff at regional level, including setting priorities; 

• Act as a key point of reference for complex HR issues, country leadership in decision-making. 

1. Emergency Support 

• Provide surge support to Country Offices in emergencies with significant HR implications  or high-risk situations; 

• Contribute to workforce planning and rapid deployment of HR support in crisis context. 

Qualification and Competencies 

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field and a minimum of 5 years of experience OR Master level degree or specialization in relevant field plus a minimum of 4 years of professional experience in providing HR business services 

• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as in a team- environment 

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast and changing environment, and to meet tight deadlines 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders of diverse cultural and national backgrounds at various levels 

• Field-based experience is considered an asset 

• High sense of discretion in dealing with confidential matters at all times 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office package, Microsoft 365 desired 

• Sharing knowledge across the organisation and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. 

Desirable  

• Post Graduate Degree in Human Resources Management 

• Field experience with an international/intergovernmental/non-governmental organisation is an asset.  

Languages 

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is mandatory 

• Working proficiency in French and/or Spanish is highly desirable 

Travel 

The position may require some travel to JRS locations in the field and worldwide  

Core values and ethics 

• Good understanding of and alignment with the values of JRS 

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity 

• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with situations, people and information 

Terms and Conditions  

Please note that this position is only open to candidates who possess EU citizenship or other legal authorization to work in the European Union. 

Successful candidates will be offered a regular Italian contract. The gross annual salary range for this position starts at EUR 42,000 , and will be adjusted commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

Workplace: Rome 

How to apply 

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents: 

• A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including two(2) professional references with contact information, phone and email address. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS

JRS International Office is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We believe that diversity enriches our organization and strengthens our ability to serve refugees worldwide. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in the humanitarian sector, to apply. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all staff members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to our mission of accompanying and serving refugees with compassion and solidarity.