VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position:                                            Human Resource Manager

Reports to (Supervisors):               Primarily Deputy Country Director, and secondarily to 

                                                             and HR Asia and Pacific Regional Director

Supervisor to:                                    WCS Lao PDR HR Coordinator

Location:                                             Vientiane Capital City, Lao PDR

Country Program/Sector:                WCS Lao Program, Greater Mekong Region, GCP

Division:                                              HR 

Position Type:                                    Full-Time 

Internal liaison:                                  WCS Laos staff and Human Resource Asia Pacific Regional Director

Working Schedule:                             Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a 

                                                               1.5-hour break for lunch  

Expected travel:                                  As required within the country to field offices, and 

                                                               internationally if/when needed. 

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

WCS Lao Program Overview:

WCS began working in Lao PDR in the 1980s, surveying wildlife and habitats around the country to assist the government in creating Lao PDR’s national protected area system. In the early 1990s, WCS documented wildlife and habitats in many of the newly created national protected areas and began supporting the government to train protected area managers, as well as raise awareness about illegal wildlife trade. In 1994, WCS officially established a country office in Lao PDR. Over almost three decades, WCS Lao PDR has successfully implemented more than 30 projects with the Government of Lao PDR, supported by more than 30 donors, and has increasingly moved away from a project approach into a more integrated, programmatic, strategic, and holistic approach to conservation.

Our vision for the Lao PDR Program is that the unique ecosystems of Lao PDR thrive indefinitely and are valued by the people of Lao PDR, and the world, for their biodiversity, natural beauty, and the services they provide to humanity. A core strategy to fulfill that vision is to improve protection and management of wildlife and wild places by building the capacity and meaningful participation of government and local stakeholders, raising public awareness through conservation outreach and education, providing alternative livelihoods—including nature-based tourism—to guardian villages, influencing institutional, policy, legal and regulatory reforms relevant to protected areas and wildlife, developing the national wildlife health surveillance network, and combatting illegal wildlife trade.

The current portfolio consists of (i) four conservation landscapes: Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park (NEPL NP), Bolikhamxai Landscape, Khoun Xe-Nong Ma Landscape, and Xe Champhone Wetlands; (ii) two cross-cutting programs on Counter Wildlife Trafficking and Wildlife Health; and (iii) a thematic focus on conservation policy and research.

Job Summary: 

Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director and HR Asia and Pacific Regional Director, the Human Resources (HR) Manager is responsible for:

1. Overseeing HR for the Lao country program. 
2. Managing the HR function both on day-to-day operations and some aspects of strategic guidance and HR related advisory.  
3. Being responsible for all critical functions within HR including but not limited to Talent Acquisition and Management, Compensation and Benefits Management, Employee Relations, Learning and Development, as well as other HR administrative/operational matters. 
4. Ensuring WCS Laos’ legal compliance with HR matters in Laos and with its global standards.

This Job Description is progressive in nature and shall be reviewed and amended from time to time to meet WCS Laos program needs.

Major Responsibilities: 

1. Develop, implement and monitor compliance of Human Resource (HR) policies and procedures, including WCS Code of Conduct and core values, and in areas including but not limited to transparent, fair, and consistent recruitment and hiring, onboarding/new staff orientation, compensation and benefits, exit management, progressive discipline, performance management, and rewards and recognition. 
2. Liaison with WCS Country Director/ Deputy Director, Regional Asia and Pacific HR Director and local counsel to ensure all HR policies and procedures comply with Lao Labour Law. 
3. Manages the overall performance of HR function on a daily basis to support the WCS Laos program and program directors/ managers to address issues of staff performance, including disciplinary action and termination.
4. Develops and implements the HR’s short- and long-term goals in order to meet program’s needs and objectives; this includes developing or finding Management & Leadership Program for senior management, leading Training/Capacity building Need’s Analysis to develop programs that help build GCP skills for the future, Workforce & Succession Planning, and develop yearly staff’s Professional Development Plan;
5. Manages employee compensation and benefits structures, policies, & guidelines; job classification and leveling, and wellness program including staff learning and capacity development plan to improve skills, performance, productivity, and job satisfaction among staff.
6. Collaborates with local Finance Team to ensure smooth and accurate fortnightly payroll in compliance with all statutory requirements.
7. Provides professional support and guidance to all staff in relation to HR issues, including but not limited to handling errors, problems, complaints and/or disputes.
8. Assists WCS Country Director/Deputy Director, Regional Asia and Pacific HR Director in the deployment and management of international staff deployed to country program, as required.
9. Establish HR information systems and records, data processing and maintenance, reporting and analysis for employment contracts, counterpart agreements and consultancy agreements.
10. Mentor HR Coordinator with HR capacity building.
11. Develop training modules and deliver HR trainings for all WCS Laos program staff to understand all relevant HR policies and procedures, strengthen work culture via Code of Conduct & core values dialogues, adaptive organization to ensure efficiency in all aspects of its operations.
12. Lead WCS Laos awareness campaign on diversity, equity, & inclusion, as well as respectful workplace;
13. Manages and supports the performance and development of staff, including coaching and training to ensure the team efficient and effective services. 
14. Ensure WCS has up-to-date and adequate emergency procedures/ crisis management plan;
15. Ensure health and safety guidelines are in place and followed at all WCS work places;
16. Conduct regular review of the compensation and benefits structure for further improvement including cost efficiency, market trend and survey etc.
17. Any other duties as assigned by the Country Director, Deputy Country Director and/or Asia Pacific HR Director. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in human resources or another relevant field.
• 5 years of related HR experience. Exposure to non-profit sector (NGO, International organizations) is helpful.
• Required knowledge of HR systems, internal controls, and procedures.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multitask, problem solver, work well under pressure and has a confident leadership style.
• Must be an independent self-starter with the ability to drive initiatives, influence change and manage conflict.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a diverse team.  
• Strategic, creative thinker with excellent negotiation skills 
• Strong knowledge of local labor laws and the ability to interpret and advise clients on them.
• Proficient in written and verbal English communication skills 
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Demonstrate skills in database management and record keeping. 
• Passion for wildlife conservation and environmental protection

Application Process:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together to: psouliyadeth@wcs.org (Palina Souliyadeth – HR Officer) latest by 28 June 2023 deadline. Please include the Human Resource Manager in the subject line of your email. 

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next step.