Employee Relations Coordinator-National - Damascus

Employee Relations Coordinator - National - Damascus

Team HR Grade National – Grade 3
Reports To People and Culture Director Contract Length One year
Location [Damascus Office]
Language(s) English and Arabic

Team and Job Purpose
Team Purpose
To ensure fair, transparent, and legally compliant employee relations processes that foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture. The Employee Relations team monitors trends, identifies areas for improvement, and strengthens organizational capacity to manage complex issues effectively. By conducting thorough investigations, managing disciplinary cases, and handling appeals, the team ensures consistency, accountability, and equity, supporting the organization’s commitment to a safe and supportive environment for all employees.
also actively promotes and prevents workplace risks by fostering a culture of safety, inclusion, and respect across the Country Office

Role Purpose
To provide expert guidance and support on employee relations matters, upholding Save the Children International’s values of integrity, accountability, and respect. This role ensures that disciplinary and appeal processes are managed fairly, consistently, and in accordance with organizational and legal standards.
The Employee Relations Coordinator acts as an enabler and advocate for a safe and inclusive workplace, embedding preventive measures and positive culture initiatives as part of daily operations. The role includes regular reporting to the Country Director and Senior Management Team on employee relations trends, risks, and key metrics.
By fostering a culture of empowerment, promoting best practices, and building capacity across the organization, the Employee Relations Coordinator contributes to a productive, inclusive workplace that ultimately supports SCI’s mission to protect and advance the well-being of children.

Principal Accountabilities

Lead and manage the investigation and resolution of employee grievances, disciplinary cases, and appeals, partnering with colleagues on complex, multi-faceted cases. Ensure processes are fair, timely, and aligned with SCI’s values, policies, and legal requirements.

Monitor, analyse, and report on employee relations trends and patterns, identifying systemic issues and recommending improvements to policies, procedures, and practices to maintain a safe, equitable, and supportive workplace to People and Culture Director and SMT. Provide regular updates to the People and Culture Director, Country Director, and Senior Management Team

Provide expert guidance and support to managers on complex employee relations matters, enhancing their ability to manage cases effectively, consistently, and in alignment with organizational and legal standards.

Act as a Subject Matter Expert to the Country Office Senior Management Team on high-risk or sensitive employee relations matters, collaborating with internal or external legal advisors as needed to inform decisions.

Foster strong, trusting relationships with employees at all levels, promoting open communication, collaboration, and a respectful work environment across a diverse workforce.

Actively support preventive initiatives and programs to create an inclusive and safe workplace culture, including training, awareness campaigns, and early identification of risks.

Ensure all employee relations processes reflect SCI’s DEI policies, embedding inclusive practices and cultural competence in investigations, case management, and advisory activities.

Oversee the efficient implementation of final recommendations, maintain thorough and accurate records at all stages of the employee relations process, and prioritize support for all colleagues involved to ensure fair and supportive outcomes.

Budget

People Management Responsibility (direct/indirect reports)
Number of people managed in total: N/A
Manager of a team: No
Team Manager (manager of multiple teams): No

Size of Remit
Country Office

Travel Requirements
International travel required: Yes

Percentage of required for travel: Up to 10%

Key Relationships
Internal (excluding direct team and manager)
• Employee Relations Team
• Functional Leaders in the country office
• Country Director
• Senior Management team
• Head of Offices
• HR team

External

N/A

Competencies
Cluster: Thinking
Competency: Innovating and adapting
Level: Accomplished
Behavioural Indicator: Demonstrates flexibility in following processes and procedures while remaining true to the organisation’s values.

Cluster: Engaging
Competency: Networking
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Builds strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

Cluster: Thinking
Competency: Problem solving and decision making
Level: Accomplished
Behavioural Indicator: Uses data and evidence to drive decision making for quality improvement.

Cluster: Engaging
Competency: Working effectively with others
Level: Leading Edge
Behavioural Indicator: Creates an environment which promotes diversity and does not tolerate discrimination.

Cluster: Engaging
Competency: Communicating with impact
Level: Skilled
Behavioural Indicator: Ensures communications are concise and well-structured.

Experience and Skills
Essential
1. HR Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with significant exposure to employee relations.

2. Employee Relations Expertise: Demonstrated experience in handling employee grievances, disciplinary cases, and appeals, ensuring processes are fair, timely, and fully aligned with organisational policies and legal requirements.

3. Advisory Skills: Proven ability to provide expert advice and support to managers on complex employee relations issues, enhancing their capability to handle cases effectively and consistently.

4. Relationship Building: Extensive experience fostering strong relationships with employees at all levels, promoting a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment.

5. Trend Analysis & Reporting: Significant experience monitoring and reporting on employee relations trends to identify systemic issues and inform policies and practices, ensuring a safe, equitable, and supportive organizational culture.

6. Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly, confidently, and authoritatively to diverse audiences.

7. Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to assess employee relations trends, identify areas for improvement, and support evidence-based decision-making and policy development.

8. Conflict Resolution: Advanced conflict resolution and negotiation skills, with the ability to mediate complex employee relations matters tactfully, impartially, and effectively.

9. Integrity and Ethical Judgment: High level of integrity and discretion, maintaining confidentiality and impartiality at all times while upholding organizational values.

10. Project and Case Management: Strong project management skills, capable of overseeing the efficient implementation of final recommendations, maintaining accurate records, and prioritizing support for colleagues involved.

Desirable
N/

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Expert understanding of employment laws and regulations in Syria and/or Jordan.

Desirable

• Qualifications, experience or training in mediation, conflict resolution, or labour law would be advantageous.
• Professional certifications in Human Resources are desirable.

Safeguarding
We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse.

Level 2: either the post holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or the post holder will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.
We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.
Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Organization context

The Organization
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
· All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
· Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.