The Position
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior
Director of Talent Acquisition to help design and lead our Talent Acquisition
Center of Excellence (COE) and drive our efforts to attract, assess, and select
the talent we need to meet our evolving organizational needs, deliver our
strategy and reflect our mission and values.
The Senior Director of Talent Acquisition (TA) will
develop and implement a global talent acquisition strategy that aligns with the
global People Team priorities in support of Mercy Corps’ transformative
Pathways to Possibility (P2P) strategy, manage and develop a global team of
talent acquisition professionals, and partner with key executives to develop
talent and pipeline strategies. Key activities ensuring diverse high-quality
hires, creating efficient hiring practices and marketing strategies that leverage
recruitment technology and data analytics, sourcing for complex programs, and
emergency recruitment.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategy And Vision
- Develop and implement intentional talent acquisition
strategies ensuring effective and creative sourcing, evaluation, and
selection of the most qualified and diverse global talent.
- Collaborate with others to design and support the
implementation of a fit-for-the-future Talent Acquisition strategy for
Mercy Corps aligned with evolving needs, our mission, values and P2P
commitments.
- Collaborate closely with the Chief People Officer, other COEs,
the VP People Team and the Regional HR Directors to guide the overall
vision and approach to recruiting top talent, delivering clear actionable
plans to achieve agreed TA priorities.
- Develop appropriate metrics and tracking mechanisms,
service-level agreements and other planning and measurement tools to build
accountability and measure results, impact and cost-effectiveness of the
hiring process and talent acquisition team.
- Lead with a continuous improvement mindset, involving the
talent acquisition team and hiring managers in identifying process
improvements in our hiring practice that will reduce the time to fill and
increase the quality of candidates/new hires, such as standardization of
the hiring process and improved interviewing tools.
- Provide strategic direction, talent acquisition expertise, and
guidance to key stakeholders on strategic and emerging talent acquisition
trends, benchmarks, and other talent acquisition issues.
- Ensure that every new hire has a positive and professional
recruitment experience by creating an exceptional experience at each step
of the recruitment process, collaborating with other HR and organization
leaders to assure a smooth orientation handoff from talent acquisition to
the hiring teams.
- Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Talent Acquisition Functions
- Develop global standards and maintain talent acquisition
processes that ensure quality and consistency in attracting, assessing,
selecting, and hiring talent.
- Develop strategies to address talent acquisition-related
challenges and provide appropriate approaches for resolution.
- Empower the delivery of a responsive, high-quality candidate
experience that aligns with Mercy Corps’ values and mission.
- Develop and implement strategies to build national recruitment
capacity in partnership with country leadership, ensuring alignment with
organizational goals and objectives.
- Advise on and approve exceptional talent acquisition-related
circumstances globally, ensuring compliance with specific labor laws and
internal processes.
- Ensure legal compliance for talent acquisition processes,
maintaining accountability for adherence to relevant regulations and
guidelines.
- Thoughtfully delegate responsibilities for effective
coordination between the Global Talent Acquisition and other HR functions,
ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment of priorities.
- Represent Talent Acquisition priorities to executives and
leadership, advocating for resources and support as needed to achieve
strategic objectives.
Team Leadership
- Ensure the growth and effective resourcing of the Global
Talent Acquisition team, with a deep understanding of roles and
responsibilities.
- Foster a work environment of mutual respect, excellence, and
continuous learning, where team members are empowered to thrive.
- Engage in close partnership with the larger People Team and
agency to share ideas, develop standard practices, and implement best
practices across Mercy Corps programs.
- Design and streamline processes in collaboration with People
Team leaders to enhance the Global Talent experience across the
organization, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness.
- Guide project management efforts within the Global Talent
department, prioritizing process, and system improvements to drive
operational excellence.
- Ensure effective systems are in place in all country offices
for the management of talent acquisition processes, providing support and
guidance as needed.
- Review and support country team adherence to Mercy Corps and
donor policies and procedures, contextualizing them to local labor laws
and ensuring compliance.
- Provide dedicated support to country teams during emergencies
or complex program startups, leveraging resources and expertise as
needed.
- Collaborate with country finance leads in producing bi-annual
master budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial
guidelines.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Actively learns about 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
Supervisory Responsibility
- Supervises a TA Manager and TA Technical Advisor. Will lead
the strategic development of the TA Center of Excellence in partnership
with the VP People Team and COE leads.
Accountability
- Reports Directly To: Chief People Officer
- Works Directly With: People Team Leaders, Organizational
Leadership, COE Directors & Regional HR Leads
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all
efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants,
community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding
international relief and development work. We are committed to actively
engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and
evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable
Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration,
or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in talent acquisition,
including at least 5 years in a leadership role within a global
organization or NGO.
- Experience personally managing executive/senior level
recruitment within the past 5 years.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing talent
acquisition strategies that support organizational objectives and foster a
diverse and inclusive workforce.
- Experience developing and improving talent acquisition systems
and tracking talent metrics.
- Deep understanding of recruitment best practices, including
candidate sourcing techniques, assessment methods, and employer branding
strategies.
- Demonstrated experience and expert ability to create,
implement, maintain, and improve recruitment strategies and systems in a
high-volume context.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability
to inspire and empower a diverse team of professionals.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the
ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of
the organization.
- Ability to communicate and problem-solve effectively across
diverse cultures with sensitivity.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate senior-level
conversations.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to think analytically,
solve complex problems, and drive continuous improvement.
- Commitment to Mercy Corps’ mission and values, with a passion
for humanitarian aid and sustainable development.
- Experience leading and advocating for a diverse team of high
performers.
How To Apply
