Assistant, Human Resources and Safeguarding

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the largest humanitarian network in the world, bringing together 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Guided by the Triple R approach — response, resilience, and respect — the organization supports Strategy 2030 by acting during disasters and crises and by helping communities strengthen resilience in climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC works in line with its fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, and places strong emphasis on values, power, inclusion, strategic coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

Headquartered in Geneva, IFRC also operates through regional offices in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and MENA, along with representation offices, service centres, and delegations worldwide.

The organization applies a strict zero-tolerance approach to conduct that conflicts with the goals of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and any lack of integrity, including financial misconduct. Child safeguarding requirements are also applied rigorously.

For the Dutch- and English-speaking Caribbean, IFRC works through its Country Cluster Delegation in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, which supports and strengthens the National Societies of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

As part of its ongoing transformation, the IFRC Secretariat is becoming more localized, innovative, agile, lean, focused, and effective through five strategic shifts: deeper localization and accountability, sharper humanitarian focus and impact, stronger trust and collaboration, faster digital transformation, and a more agile Secretariat.

In response to the major humanitarian impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, IFRC has issued an Emergency Appeal for CHF 19 million in Secretariat funding to assist the Jamaica Red Cross with immediate and recovery needs. The operation is classified as Orange. To strengthen support in-country, IFRC is using a rapid response mechanism in the short term while planning medium- and longer-term staffing over the coming months. In this context, and aligned with the Secretariat’s Renewal process, the Jamaica Country Office is being reactivated to provide closer support to the Jamaica Red Cross during its largest humanitarian operation in recent years.

Job Purpose

The Human Resources and Safeguarding Assistant will provide day-to-day administrative and operational support across recruitment, onboarding, employee records, HR information management, payroll preparation, staff engagement, and general HR service delivery. The role also contributes to the efficient setup and functioning of the Jamaica Office while ensuring HR processes are handled accurately and on time.

Responsibilities

Human Resources Administration

• Keep employee files and HR records up to date and accurate.
• Draft HR letters, contracts, amendments, and other employment-related documents.
• Handle leave tracking and maintain employee documentation.
• Support payroll preparation by keeping HR records complete and correct.
• Protect the confidentiality of employee information at all times.

Recruitment and Onboarding Support

• Assist with posting vacancies and communicating with candidates.
• Arrange interview calendars and related logistics.
• Help with reference checks and onboarding paperwork.
• Coordinate induction and orientation sessions.

Safeguarding Coordination

• Support coordination between Human Resources, Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), Legal, and other relevant teams on PSEAH-related matters.
• Help share PSEAH policies, guidance, awareness materials, and communication products across the region.
• Assist in carrying out PSEAH initiatives, activities, and action plans across the Regional Office, delegations, and National Societies in line with IFRC procedures.

HR Systems and Information Management

• Maintain HR databases and information systems.
• Prepare routine HR reports and staffing updates.
• Update organizational charts and staff records.
• Check data for accuracy and consistency.

Employee Support Services

• Respond to routine HR questions from employees.
• Support learning and development activities.
• Assist with staff engagement initiatives and events.

Support to Jamaica Office Operations

• Assist with HR tasks connected to the establishment of the office.
• Support the application of HR policies and procedures.
• Coordinate routine communication with HR service providers.

Emergency Response Support

• Provide HR administrative help during emergency operations.
• Assist with deployment documents and staff tracking.

Education

Required: Diploma or Associate Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related discipline.

Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, plus an HR certification.

Experience

Required: At least 2 years of experience in HR administration or administrative support.

Preferred: Experience in recruitment, onboarding, HR systems, and humanitarian or international organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required: Understanding of HR administrative processes; strong organization and record-keeping ability; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; ability to handle confidential information; solid communication and customer service skills; basic knowledge of local labour legislation.

Preferred: Familiarity with HR information systems; basic understanding of safeguarding principles and reporting procedures.

Competencies and Values

Values: Respect for diversity, integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Core competencies: Communication, collaboration and teamwork, judgement and decision making, National Society and customer relations, creativity and innovation, trust-building, and attention to detail.

Functional competencies: Administrative excellence, information management, and service delivery orientation.