People and Culture Director

The Deputy Director, People & Culture (P&C) leads the P&C function in Sudan, ensuring the right talent, structures, and culture are in place to deliver high-quality humanitarian programming. The role acts as a strategic advisor to the Country Director, drives organizational culture and staff wellbeing, and ensures that P&C systems and policies align with IRC’s global standards, values, and commitments.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Country Director and SMT on workforce planning, succession, leadership transitions, and organizational design.
• Lead the P&C team, ensuring delivery of high-quality services and continuous staff development.
• Drive employee engagement, inclusion, and team cohesion initiatives, fostering a positive and safe workplace culture.
• Serve as a champion for Duty of Care, GEDI, and Safeguarding priorities at SMT level.
• Oversee core P&C processes: recruitment, onboarding, compensation & benefits, performance management, contracts, employee relations, and payroll.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, policies, and donor requirements.
• Monitor workforce data and HR metrics to inform decision-making and reporting.
• Guide managers on performance, disciplinary matters, and staff wellbeing.
• Implement GEDI strategies and action plans, embedding inclusive, anti-discriminatory practices in all HR processes.
• Ensure safeguarding standards are integrated into recruitment, onboarding, and staff training.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability, leading or supporting investigations as needed.
• Provide guidance and support on staff wellbeing and safety, including responses to critical incidents.
• Partner with global/regional teams to strengthen wellbeing initiatives and workplace support systems.
• Build a healthy and inclusive work environment through regular check-ins, team-building, and open communication.
• Organize all-staff communications and monthly meetings.
• Support the Country Director with occasional cross-cutting tasks.
• Escalate and resolve Code of Conduct issues in collaboration with SMT and Ethics & Compliance.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in HR, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive experience.
• Significant progressive HR/P&C experience (typically 10+ years), including senior leadership roles in complex humanitarian or international settings.
• Strong knowledge of HR operations, labor law, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated experience in leading GEDI, Safeguarding, and Duty of Care initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills with proven ability to influence senior leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, well-considered decisions collaboratively in fast-changing and demanding environments.
• Fluent in English (Arabic an advantage).

Skills

• HR Operations
• Organisational Development
• Labour Law
• Leadership in Human Resources
• GEDI Initiatives
• Safeguarding
• Duty of Care
• Strategic HR Advice
• Talent Management Expertise
• Staff Wellbeing Programs
• HR Policy Implementation
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Analytical Decision Making
• Humanitarian HR Practices
• International HR Management

Languages

English, Arabic