Organization Profile

Around the world, the number of missing persons is rising – as a result of conflict, climate change, organized crime, migration and other causes. By some metrics, the world is experiencing the highest number of conflicts since 1946. Conflict and natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes and floods, have fueled migration, which in turn has been accompanied by a surge in human trafficking and slavery.

The International Commission on Missing Persons, a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, is seeking an experienced, dynamic and committed individual to join a highly motivated team working on this global challenge. ICMP’s overall strategy is based on upholding international law and securing the rights of families of the missing to truth, justice and reparations.

About the position
The Head of Human Resources is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of ICMP’s HR Section. The position ensures the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR policies, processes, and services aligned with organizational objectives, operational needs, and international best practices. This role is central to fostering a high-performing, compliant, and inclusive organizational culture.

The incumbent acts as a senior advisor to leadership on all matters related to people management and development, supports structural and workforce planning initiatives, and leads cross-functional collaboration to ensure coherent and equitable application of HR policies across ICMP headquarters and field operations.

Key responsibilities

HR Strategy and Policy Management

• Lead the development and revision of HR strategies, policies, and systems to support ICMP’s institutional and programmatic goals.
• Lead in the implementation of ‘Management by Objective’ principles across the ICMP, embedding this approach in the performance management framework.
• Ensure the HR policy framework is streamlined, risk-informed, and adaptable to organizational growth and change.
• Advise the Director-General, Deputy Director-General and senior leadership on strategic HR issues and policy exceptions, ensuring fairness and consistency.
• Maintain policy alignment with applicable international administrative law, donor requirements, and international organizational standards.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement through the systematic review of policies, drawing on internal feedback and lessons learned.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

• Coordinate structured and consistent engagement with internal stakeholders—including program managers, staff representatives, and senior leadership—on HR policy matters.
• Serve as a reference point for complex HR cases and provide interpretive guidance on application of HR policies.
• Support the development of internal governance processes related to people management, including performance evaluations and job classification reviews.

Talent Acquisition Process

• Oversee recruitment and selection processes across HQ and country program locations, ensuring adherence to ICMP standards and policies.
• Support Directors, Heads of Program and Section, and Unit Heads in workforce planning and role definition.
• Ensure that onboarding processes are structured and consistently applied to support staff integration and early performance.

People Operations and Development

• Manage core people operations including performance management, contracts, salary and benefit administration, and compliance with ICMP's employment regulations and in line with best practices.
• Oversee the development and implementation of individual performance development plans, aligned with ICMP’s multi-year strategic plan and applicable division/team strategic plans and following the principles of Management by Objectives and organization-wide training program.
• Monitor and analyze staff engagement and exit data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Lead capacity-building initiatives for line managers and supervisors to ensure consistent and effective people management practices.

Compensation and Classification

• Maintain and update ICMP’s salary structures, classification systems, and staff benefits schemes.
• Conduct job evaluations and market benchmarking to ensure external competitiveness and internal equity.
• Provide recommendations on compensation adjustments in accordance with policy and funding considerations.

Staff Welfare and Engagement

• Guide and implement structures and initiatives to manage staff health and welfare, including supervision of the ICMP Medical Officer.
• Identify and analyze staff development and career support needs and design programs to meet identified needs.
• Ensure the implementation of staff development and career support programs.
• Promote future-responsive staff development and career support programs.
• Provides advice on mobility and career development to staff at all levels.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Law, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible HR experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role in an international or intergovernmental organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in HR policy development, organizational development, and human capital strategy.
• Familiarity with international labor standards and HR compliance frameworks.
• Experience working in a multi-location, multicultural environment with matrixed reporting structures.
• Recognized professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, HRP, CIPD) is an asset.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align HR initiatives with institutional goals, assess risks, and propose sustainable solutions.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead teams through change, influence without authority, and foster accountability and trust.
• Judgment and Decision-Making: Capable of analyzing complex issues, weighing competing priorities, and making sound recommendations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrates effective consultation skills and the ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Policy and Compliance Expertise: Deep understanding of employment law, international standards, and organizational policies.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to convey complex information clearly and diplomatically.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Full professional fluency in English; Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working with HR information systems (HRIS).
• Availability for international travel and willingness to work flexibly in response to operational demands.
• Demonstrated commitment to ICMP’s mission, values, and impartiality.
• Ability to operate in post-conflict or resource-constrained environments when required.

Benefits
This is a full-time position with a competitive base salary at the E6 level on the ICMP professional salary scale, includes a post adjustment, six weeks of paid leave and extended health and dental benefits. The position is eligible for expatriate benefits including relocation allowance, education allowance for eligible dependent children and dependent health insurance coverage.

This position is based in the international city of peace and justice, The Hague, The Netherlands. The Hague is a comfortable city and appeals to those with a wide range of interests. To learn more about living in The Hague click here. ICMP enjoys exemption from income tax and social security deductions in The Netherlands (staff members are responsible for any income tax in their home country).

VN close date: 30 September 2025

Expected start date: ASAP

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.

ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice or may decide to offer a position at a different salary level , with different duties and/or contract length.