Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a global ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people.

Founded in November 1980, JRS is now present in more than 50 countries. Its operations are structured across three levels: locally through project and country offices, regionally through regional offices, and globally through the support, coordination and guidance of the International Office.

In response to a rapidly changing humanitarian context and significantly reduced funding, JRS is reshaping how it operates in a new and less favourable environment for migration and international solidarity.

Local operations, organised in functional and sustainable Country Offices, remain at the heart of JRS’s work. They ensure needs-based interventions and accompaniment rooted in close engagement with forcibly displaced migrants and refugees.

At global level, support is organised through global functions that bring together the essential processes, systems and expertise needed for JRS to operate effectively as one organisation. These include resource mobilisation, sound operations and mission-driven programmatic support.

These activities are delivered through a Virtual Global Office (VGO), in which staff based in different locations work as part of globally coordinated teams with shared priorities, clear mandates and common operational focus.

The VGO is structured around five global functions: Global Management of Operations, Global Resource Mobilisation, Global Mission-Oriented Transformation, Global Strategic Leadership and Global Management Support.

Global Function Area

The objective of the Global Management of Operations (GMO) function is to ensure that JRS operations remain effective, aligned with the JRS Mission and Global Strategic Framework, and accountable to JRS governance bodies.

GMO supports the development of country office operational plans and budgets, consolidates and analyses them at global level, and helps identify and address risks and opportunities across operational, financial, legal, safeguarding, reputational and other relevant areas.

It also contributes to operational improvement, organisational development and capacity-strengthening initiatives across the organisation.

In cases of management emergency, GMO may intervene directly in operations to support risk mitigation and the return to standard management arrangements.

It is a multifunctional area drawing on expertise from staff with backgrounds in programmes, operations, finance, human resources, security, IT and organisational development.

Role Description

The HR Senior Officer provides input on the design of global HR policies and technical leadership for their implementation and monitoring.

The HR Senior Officer supports Local Offices in applying global HR standards across recruitment, onboarding, performance management, safeguarding requirements and compliance, and in developing context-related HR development strategies.

The role feeds workforce and HR data into planning and consolidation processes, identifies capacity gaps and coordinates targeted training. It also contributes to risk analysis, supports HR-related components of organisational improvement initiatives, and provides surge assistance in emergencies.

The position reports to the Global Lead for Management of Operations, Finance and Risk Management, while ensuring functional alignment with the HR function under Global Management Support.

Key Responsibilities

1. Workforce Planning & Operational Alignment

• Contribute to the analysis of country operational HR plans, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and local realities.
• Monitor implementation of HR country office strategies and plans, identifying gaps, risks and capacity needs.
• Feed workforce and HR data into planning, consolidation and organisational decision-making.

2. Risk Management and Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the development of global HR policies and systems in coordination with the HR function under Global Management Support, and lead their dissemination and implementation at Country level.
• Support Country Offices in recruitment processes for key positions, as needed.
• Monitor consistent application of global HR standards, including safeguarding and complaint management, security, recruitment and performance management, across Country Offices.
• Provide expert advice on complex local HR operational challenges and technical guidance on HR policies, systems and practices.
• In collaboration with the Safeguarding Advisor, set up and implement mechanisms to detect and monitor HR-related risks, including safeguarding, compliance and capacity risks.

3. Organisational Development

• Lead HR contributions to institutional strengthening initiatives, including the Information Management System, in coordination with the GMS HR function and Leadership Development Programme.
• Provide technical expertise and support to major organisational change processes, including restructuring, downsizing and office mergers at country office level.
• Define recurring country office capacity-development priorities based on operational needs, and work with the Crisis Preparedness and Response Specialist to strengthen staff capacity in emergency management and crisis response.

4. Leadership Support and Staff Supervision

• Strengthen multifunctional global task forces with HR implications and promote consistency in the application of HR standards across the organisation.
• Coordinate and provide technical supervision and support to HR staff within the JRS VGO GMO staff at regional level, including setting priorities.
• Act as a key point of reference for complex HR issues and country leadership decision-making.

5. Emergency Support

• Provide surge support to Country Offices in emergencies with significant HR implications or high-risk situations.
• Contribute to workforce planning and rapid deployment of HR support in crisis contexts.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 5 years of experience, or a Master’s degree or specialisation in a relevant field plus a minimum of 4 years of professional experience in providing HR business services.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-changing environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders from diverse cultural and national backgrounds at various levels.
• Field-based experience is considered an asset.
• High sense of discretion in dealing with confidential matters at all times.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; Microsoft 365 is desirable.
• Ability to share knowledge across the organisation and build a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Desirable

• Postgraduate degree in Human Resources Management.
• Field experience with an international, intergovernmental or non-governmental organisation.

Languages

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Working proficiency in French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

Travel

The position may require some travel to JRS locations in the field and worldwide.

Core Values and Ethics

• Good understanding of and alignment with the values of JRS.
• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values, and to JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and advocating for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality, with the ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with situations, people and information.

Terms and Conditions

This position is open only to candidates who possess EU citizenship or another legal authorisation to work in the European Union.

Successful candidates will be offered a regular Italian contract. The gross annual salary for this position starts at EUR 42,000 and will be adjusted according to experience and qualifications.

Workplace: Rome

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents:

• A cover letter describing the candidate’s motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.
• A CV in English, including two professional references with contact information, phone number and email address.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS.

JRS International Office is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and strengthens our ability to serve refugees worldwide. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in the humanitarian sector, to apply. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all staff members feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute to our mission of accompanying and serving refugees with compassion and solidarity.