Global Human Resources Manager

Position and closing date:

Location: Prague, CZ

Duration of contract: 3 years contract (with possible extension)

Start date: January 2026

Deadline for application: the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate will be identified

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world. A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centred and community-based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures.

LWF Prague supports the humanitarian and development work of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service via its global technical and advisory support hub, and implements projects in Czech Republic promoting intercultural dialogue and sensitivity through its initiatives. 

For additional information, please see https://worldservice.lutheranworld.org/

Purpose

The LWF is a communion of 154 member churches in 7 regions, living and working together for a just, peaceful and reconciled world, with a Communion Office based in Geneva and field programs around the world. 

The Department for World Service (hereafter referred to as LWF World Service) is responsible for carrying out diaconal response to humanitarian emergencies and development needs on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). In pursuance of its responsibility and based on its strategy, LWF World Service: 

• Operates together with and on behalf of the LWF member churches, 

• Provides support to refugees, returnees, internally displaced people, their host communities and communities at risk, emphasizing livelihoods, quality services, protection and social cohesion, 

• Establishes and runs country programs (CPs) and emergency operations (EOs), 

• Engages in cooperation and partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations, relevant United Nations agencies and other structures involved in humanitarian and development programs as they link to the WS mandate, and represents LWF in the ACT Alliance. 

The Global Human Resources Manager (GHRM) is responsible for overseeing and developing the HR function in WS Country Programs (CPs) and Emergency Operations (EOs), in collaboration with the Office for HR in Geneva. The role focuses on managing recruitment, employee relations, performance management, staff security, HR policy implementation and compliance all along the employee-life cycle. The GHRM proposes legally appropriate solutions and seeks legal advice when required. The position requires good understanding of humanitarian operational contexts and experience/training in emergency deployments.

Required qualifications

• An Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in human resources management, business or public administration, law, social sciences or related area is required. 

• Successful experience of minimum 5 years in HR in an international environment, preferably in a not-for-profit / humanitarian organization, both in the field and at HQ levels. 

• Proficient in English and French. Knowledge of Spanish and/or Arabic are assets. 

• Conversant in Office Suite and in the use of HR electronic platforms/e-recruitment/HRIS. 

• Valid work permit or authorization to work in the Czech Republic  

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven active contribution to HR processes 

• Ability to engage in organizational analysis at various levels, from daily activities to strategic matters 

• Good understanding of humanitarian operational contexts and experience/training in emergency deployments 

• Good exposure to people management and employee relations, ability to promote good practices 

• Experience in dealing with legal questions related to labour relations 

• Demonstrated good understanding of compensation and benefits principles, techniques and practices 

• Knowledge of faith-based organizations 
• Intercultural sensitivity and experience. Ability to mentor staff and to manage conflictual issues, especially in the humanitarian sector.  

Language Skills

• Proficient in English and French. Knowledge of Spanish and/or Arabic are assets. 

LWF Core Skills

Analytical thinking - Level resource 

Initiative - Level advanced

Leadership - Level advanced

Achieving results - Level resource 

Accountability - Level resource 

Working effectively with others - Level resource  

LWF Functional Skills

Confidentiality  - Level resource*

Regulatory Compliance - Level resource 

Recruitment - Level resource 

Attention to detail - Level advanced 

Organizational development - Level advanced 

People management – Level advanced 

*LWF 3 skills levels are: basis - advanced – resource

Main duties

Workforce planning 

• Advises management regarding workforce planning and contractual matters 

• Identifies talent and career development opportunities for World Service field staff 

Recruitment and Hiring 

• Ensures compliance with procedures for recruitment of all field staff on international contracts and Representatives / Team Leaders on local contracts, as well as decentralised team members of the WS global coordination office 

• Defines employment conditions for contracts s/he is responsible for, in consultation with the hiring manager and Global Finance Coordinator 
• Ensures briefing of new international staff members regarding HR practices, policies and regulations 

Staff life cycle and welfare 

• Maintains regular contact with international and global field staff, as well as staff on HR field positions 

• Handles HR-related questions and requests for information from CPs / EOs 

• Supports case management of situations related to staff grievances and Complaints Response Mechanism’s follow up 

• Supports the performance management process of international and global field staff, Reps / TLs, including formats, approaches, trainings, tracking/filing reviews, etc. 

• Helps ensure that mandatory trainings are duly carried out and recorded 

• Maintains consistency in the job grading and salary grid 

• Manages a proper end-of-contract process and conducts exit interviews for departing staff. Reports and addresses trends 

• Liaises with the Medical Doctor for medical clearance, Stress Management consultants for psychosocial support and follows up with field-based staff 

• Carry out field visits to support staff, managers and local HR colleagues (ideally 2 x year). 

Staff security 

• Assists and coordinates the response/action in personnel emergency situations, including follow up in case of medevacs 

• Assists in staff security contingency planning 

• Liaises with the global security manager and her team on issues related to staff in the field 

• In case a crisis management team is established, ensures the Family Liaison role

HR Policy Development and Information Systems 

• Contributes actively to HR-related initiatives, including the establishment, roll-out, maintenance and relevant upgrades of HR Information Systems for World Service field operations and the establishment / periodic revision of regulations, policies and guidelines pertaining to the HR in the field operations.  

• Keep the Head of HR regularly informed on developments/initiatives and seek approval from the Head of HR on any HR guidelines that are established, prior to final decision. 

• Maintains and further develops the HR Community of Practice (CoP) in World Service and reports on progress or trends/needs. 

Information and Data Management 

• In co-operation with the WS MT, develops and monitors relevant HR indicators and benchmarks and reports to the WS MT and Head of HR 

• Performs HR compliance control and case reporting 

• Proactively liaises with the Global Finance Coordinator and the Head of HR on specific cases requiring attention. Provides figures and information as requested and needed for the OHR follow-up. 

• Participate in the regular HR Staff Working Team, providing necessary information relevant to the overall picture. 

Please submit your motivation letter, diploma and CV (including two references), in English. It is open for both Czech nationalities as well as international candidates  (must have valid work permit for the Czech Republic).

Applicants are required to uphold the core values of our organization.