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Regional Human Resources Head

    Date Submitted: 3/12/2014
    Location: Washington DC
    Company: British Embassy
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    Company Profile:

    The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a Regional Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement hub based in Washington, DC overseeing 28 British Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates in 12 countries in North America and the Caribbean. This regional hub also indirectly manages another 23 offices in Central and South American countries. The role reports to the HR Business Partner for the region (based in London) and will deliver through their HR hub team, working closely with their partner Regional Learning and Development Team and London based HR Policy leads.

    The Regional Human Resources Head is the strategic lead on all HR aspects for locally employed staff working at British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates located in the region. The role of the Regional HR Hub is to provide key HR Services (recruitment, pay and reward, talent and performance management and HR enquiries) to customers across the region and to provide a strategic and professional HR capability to support Regional Senior Leaders in delivery of business of objectives. The HR hub is an integral part of the global HR team serving staff working in the overseas network for the UK Government. This position will lead on all regional specific HR issues in collaboration with the London based HR Directorate.

    The Regional Head of HR will be a key member of the Hub leadership team. In the first year of the role, the successful candidate will work closely with the Implementation Manager and other Hub leaders to set up the new HR team to deliver key HR services. They will be a member of the wider FCO HR leadership team, working closely with the Business Partner and HR policy leads, to develop HR policies which are globally consistent but locally appropriate. This role will be responsible for leading and managing high-level engagement with senior stakeholders and partners in the region.

    Description:

    • Provide overall direction and leadership for the HR hub, in line with London priorities and the agreed role of the hub working closely with regional leaders to ensure appropriate HR support for business priorities. Promote the FCO values of responsibility, creativity and collaboration, and compliance with the FCO's Global People Principles.
    • Lead the establishment of the regional HR team; introducing consistent regional processes for recruitment, pay and benefits, talent and performance management and provision of contact centre support. Ensuring ongoing smooth running and continuous improvement in each of the process streams.
    • Devise and implement an effective regional HR strategy, guided by of central HR policy, with clear prioritisation to reflect regional needs and global change programmes.
    • Devise and agree service level agreements (SLA) for HR delivery with regional customers and with the global HR function.
    • Outreach to customers and stakeholder management, including Senior Leadership in all locations, internal HR departments, other government departments, and key contacts in London.
    • Line Management for HR Hub staff located in Washington and Mexico providing guidance, feedback on performance and development, and effective delegation of work.
    • Work closely with other Regional Heads of HR to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice globally.
    • Responsible for Job Evaluation & Grading.
    • HR liaison between HR in London and locations in the Region on their portfolio of activity, ensuring all new policies are communicated and implemented.
    • Review and make recommendations on LE Staff terms and conditions ensuring regional consistency where possible.
    • Keep professional knowledge up-to date, following trends, ideas and innovations occurring within the HR sphere, to ensure services standards are met and a culture of improvement grows within the hub.
    • Act as Head of the Overall Shared Services Hub (delivering finance, procurement and HR) to the region, responsible for co-ordinating activity, ensuring delivery of hub SLAs and providing pastoral support the whole Hub Team.

    The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

    The target salary for this position is $88,600 annualized. Salary will be confirmed upon offer of employment.

    Requirements:

    • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or equivalent.
    • HR certification - SPHR or equivalent.
    • Ability to work well in a fast paced environment with little supervision. This role will involve a lot of autonomy and will be distance line managed.
    • At least 10 years of experience in general HR management. Experience of operating in an international HR environment preferred.
    • Experience of leading a multifunctional HR team and a track record of delivery in a shared services environment.
    • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, self motivated and results driven. Keenly aware of customer requirements.
    • Fluent written and spoken English is required, Spanish is desirable.
    • Ability to travel both domestically and internationally. This will initially be more during Hub set up and then will reduce (approx 15%)

    Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

    *A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts.

    To Apply:

    Resume and a cover letter with salary history should be submitted by 1 April 2014 to https://careers-britishembassy.icims.com/jobs/1329/regional-human-resour.... Please identify in your cover letter whether you are currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Internal candidates must gain approval from their line manager before applying.

    Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.