Staff Development and Relations Manager

Save the Children International

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale.

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Staff Development & Relations Manager will enhance the employee experience in Ukraine by integrating staff development, talent growth, employee relations, and inclusive practices. The role is responsible for supporting employees and managers locally, including handling employee concerns and complaints, ensuring fair and consistent resolution, while implementing global frameworks in the local context.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Staff Development & Talent Management

• Lead and oversee the full learning cycle from onboarding/induction to ongoing staff development, ensuring all employees have access to meaningful learning opportunities from day one.
• Support managers identifying high-potential employees, and development needs; design targeted programs to strengthen capability while embedding DEI principles.
• Monitor uptake and completion of mandatory trainings; work with managers to ensure full compliance and timely completion.
• Partner with business leaders to create internal career pathways and support equitable internal mobility initiatives.
• Coordinate succession planning processes for critical roles, ensuring fair and inclusive identification of high-potential employees.
• Deliver leadership and manager development programs, coaching managers on feedback, people development, and inclusive team management.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of development programs through metrics, feedback, and impact analysis, adjusting for continuous improvement.

Employee Relations & Workplace Culture

• Provide expert advice and support to managers and staff on employee relations issues, promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all interactions.
• Manage employee relations cases locally, including complaints, concerns, and workplace issues, ensuring they are addressed fairly, confidentially, and in a timely manner.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives and ensure employee voice is heard and actioned in ways that respect diversity and foster inclusion.
• Promote a culture of trust, psychological safety, and belonging.
• Partner with the global Employee Relations on best practices, adapting initiatives to the Ukraine context.
• Support managers in handling team dynamics, performance conversations, and employee concerns with fairness and awareness of bias.
• Analyse employee relations trends and data to inform decision-making and improve practices, ensuring the organisation continuously adapts to meet the needs of its diverse workforce.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Contribution

• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance development, engagement, and inclusive practices across the country.
• Contribute to the country HR strategy and planning, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, HR frameworks, and DEI priorities.
• Champion initiatives that promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, high performance, and equitable treatment.
• Stay informed on HR, learning, talent, and DEI trends, adapting them to the local context.
• Contribute to localisation efforts from Development lens.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice )

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale .

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• 5+ years of HR experience, including exposure to L&D, organisational development or employee relations roles, preferably in an emergency/humanitarian or development settings.
• Experience in multinational or matrix organisations preferred
• Experience with LMS or learning platforms (e.g., Oracle, Cornerstone).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially across multicultural environments.
• Experience in staff management/supervision.
• Experience in providing/facilitating trainings/capacity strengthening.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Child Safeguarding Policy:

We are committed to ensuring children's safety. Our recruitment process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from harm.

Equal Opportunities

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Health and Safety:

All employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with our global policy on harassment prevention.

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