Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Specialist, Employee Relations to join our global team.

Team Purpose

This role is part of a global Employee Relations function that combines expert case management and employment law advice with strong organisational capability, enabling leaders, managers and People teams to prevent, resolve and manage workplace issues effectively and at the right level. Through data, insights, case and trend oversight and learning lessons from individual cases, the team identify systemic risks and root causes, strengthen leadership and management practice, and drives continuous improvement in employee experience and organisational culture.

Role purpose

Lead the delivery of a fair, timely, and person-centred Employee Relations service across SCI, managing complex and sensitive investigations through to resolution while ensuring compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements whilst aligned to SCI’s values. The role provides expert guidance to leaders and HR teams on employee relations matters, manages risk throughout the investigation lifecycle, and ensures robust, evidence-based recommendations are implemented to address root causes, strengthen organisational practice, and prevent recurrence.

Job Title: Specialist, Employee Relations
Reports To: Lead, Employee Relations
Work Pattern:Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available
Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers
Required Time Zone: Any
Contract Length: Initial 1 year fixed-term contract with potential to become permanent
Right to Work: The successful candidate must have the right to work in the country where the role is based, for the duration of employment.
Language Requirements: English (Arabic, French or Spanish desirable)
International Travel: up to 5%
Remit: Global

Principal Accountabilities

Lead and manage the investigation and resolution of employee relations cases, including complex and multifaceted grievances, ensuring fair, timely, and consistent outcomes in line with SCI values, policies, and employment legislation.
Manage risks and dependencies throughout the investigation lifecycle, anticipating potential barriers and competing priorities, escalating issues where appropriate, and driving investigations to a timely and effective conclusion while maintaining fairness and integrity of process.
Ensure the identification of lessons learned from formal investigations, developing clear, evidence-based recommendations to address root causes, strengthen organisational practices, and prevent the recurrence of issues, while informing continuous improvement of policies, processes, leadership capability, and organisational culture.
Champion a person-centred approach to Employee Relations, safeguarding the wellbeing, dignity, rights, and needs of all parties involved, and ensuring individuals are treated with fairness, respect, and compassion throughout formal and informal processes.
Act as the Employee Relations Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Country Office Senior Management Teams, providing strategic advice and guidance on highly complex and sensitive employee relations matters, consulting with internal and external legal counsel where required to ensure compliant and values-led decision making.
Partner with Country Office HR teams to build capability and confidence in Employee Relations, providing coaching, guidance, and support to strengthen investigation and case management expertise and enable effective handling of local caseloads.
Drive continuous improvement and innovation across Employee Relations processes, tools, systems, and frameworks, enhancing efficiency, consistency, user experience, and organisational effectiveness.

Experience and Skills

Essential

Significant experience leading and managing complex employee relations investigations, including grievances, disciplinary matters, and other sensitive workplace issues, ensuring fair, timely, and legally compliant outcomes.
Demonstrated expertise in providing strategic employee relations advice to senior leaders and managers on high-risk and complex cases, enabling effective decision-making aligned with organisational values, policy, and legal requirements.
Strong experience conducting investigations and producing high-quality investigation reports, including developing clear, evidence-based findings and recommendations that address root causes, strengthen organisational practice, and prevent recurrence of issues.
Proven ability to identify, assess, and manage risks throughout formal employee relations processes, balancing competing priorities and stakeholder interests while maintaining procedural fairness and delivering timely outcomes.
Experience building capability within HR teams and people managers, through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing to strengthen employee relations expertise and case management effectiveness.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex and sensitive issues clearly, objectively, and authoritatively to a wide range of stakeholders.
Highly developed interpersonal, listening and questioning skills, with the ability to build trust and engage sensitively and effectively with all stakeholders, including reporters, impacted individuals, subjects of concern, and witnesses throughout the case management process.
Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility and trust with employees, HR teams, senior leaders, and other stakeholders across diverse cultural and organisational contexts.
High levels of integrity, sound judgement, and resilience, with a demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, impartiality, and professionalism when handling sensitive and complex matters.
Strong organisational and case management skills, with the ability to manage a complex caseload, prioritise competing demands, maintain accurate records, and ensure effective implementation and monitoring of recommendations and actions.
Experience driving continuous improvement of employee relations frameworks, tools, systems, and processes, enhancing efficiency, consistency, and organisational effectiveness.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Expert understanding of employment laws and regulations in one or more countries that SCI programmes in.

Desirable

Qualifications, experience or training in mediation, conflict resolution, or labour law would be advantageous.
Professional certifications in Human Resources (such as CIPD) are desirable.
Arabic, French or Spanish language skills

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, 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 environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI 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.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

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. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

About the company

Save the Children is a global, independent charity that helps children in crisis and everyday life. It works in about 120 countries by running programs and campaigns that aim to keep children alive, protect them, help them develop, and let them participate in society. The organization directly delivers services and also advocates for policy changes, working with local partners and communities. Its approach combines field programs with advocacy and partnerships to reach millions of children—last year more than 55 million were helped through its work. What sets it apart is its large international footprint, its clear focus on children’s rights, and its commitment to transparency, collaboration, and integrity while pursuing concrete, measurable changes. The goal is to ensure every child has the right to survival, protection, development, and participation, and to drive immediate and lasting improvements in children’s lives.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Toronto, Canada

Founded

1919

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Vodafone Foundation donated six Instant Network kits on September 24, 2026, improving response speed.
Ferrero's Côte d'Ivoire program entered a 2025-2030 phase, extending validated child-protection revenue.
ECW's August 24, 2026 Sudan grant gives Save the Children a multi-year implementation platform.

What critics are saying

UK slashed its GPE pledge on September 24, 2026, tightening education funding.
Yemen's 2026 response plan sits 20% funded, threatening Save the Children operations.
Conflict-heavy portfolios in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen expose staff, access, and donor confidence.

What makes Save the Children unique

Save the Children International reaches conflict zones and schools in 120+ countries.
The September 24, 2026 Vodafone Foundation partnership adds deployable emergency connectivity and cash-transfer tooling.
Its local-partner model underpins Sudan education delivery, with nearly 48% budget routed locally.

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Benefits

Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours

Company News

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Helen Haines' Save the Children campaign raises $350k in less than 24 hours. William Elliott, Joseph Olbrycht-PalmerNewsWire Wed, 21 October 2026 8:20PM The No. 1 source of news for every west australian. No lock-in contract / week for 8 weeks, billed weekly. Pay in advance Annual digital Save $104! Billed as $312 per annum. Pay as you go Digital + weekend newspapers Billed monthly or quarterly. All access digital Daily Digital Edition Need help with a subscription? Call us at 1800 811 855

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Save the Children joins HSBC's Disaster Relief Partnership to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

Save the Children joins HSBC's Disaster Relief Partnership to help communities prepare for natural disasters. The 18-month partnership - backed by $4.5 million in funding from HSBC - will support these global humanitarian organisations to respond and provide relief rapidly when natural disasters occur. LONDON, 13 October - Save the Children has joined HSBC's Disaster Relief Partnership, together with UNICEF and the British Red Cross, to help children and communities prepare for natural disasters at a time when crises are becoming more frequent and intense. The 18-month partnership - backed by $4.5 million in funding from HSBC - will support these global humanitarian organisations to respond and provide relief rapidly when natural disasters occur. It will also fund anticipatory action in communities at risk of natural disasters to help them prepare in advance and to become more resilient to natural and humanitarian disasters. This includes investing in warning systems and first-responder training. Pam Kaur, Group Chief Financial Officer, HSBC, said: "In an emergency, speed saves lives, and funding for disaster response has to keep pace. As an international bank with deep roots around the world, HSBC cares deeply about getting support to communities as quickly as Save the Children can in the aftermath of a crisis." The importance of being prepared Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency - and every $1 invested in community-based disaster risk reduction can save an average of over $15 in averted future disaster recovery costs, according to UN analysis[1]. At a time when natural and humanitarian disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense, helping communities prepare for emergencies, and respond faster when crises strike, has never been more crucial. This year alone over 200 million children will urgently need support to survive ongoing global crises. By supporting preparedness, anticipatory action and rapid emergency response, the partnership will ultimately help save lives and help build stronger, more resilient communities for the future. The power of collaboration Learnings from the projects supported over the course of the partnership will be captured and shared. Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children UK, said: "By bringing together HSBC's commitment with the expertise of three leading humanitarian organisations, we have an opportunity not only to deliver practical support, but influence how the wider sector invests in preparedness, anticipatory action and faster humanitarian response." HSBC has been a longstanding provider of funding to Save the Children as well as UNICEF and the British Red Cross. This year HSBC funding has supported its recent relief efforts and provided support to children and communities following the devastating floods in Nepal and Thailand, and after the recent earthquake in Colombia, and they have supported Anticipatory Action in Bangladesh so families could be evacuated and receive early support before the full impacts of heavy rainfall unfolded. 1. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, 2025 (link). 2. UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service. For media. Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Global Media Manager: Asia

TechAfrica News

Sep 24th, 2026

Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation partner on technology for emergency response.

Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation partner on technology for emergency response. September 24, 2026 The partnership will strengthen emergency preparedness and humanitarian response and expand access to Vodafone Foundation's technology and connectivity solutions in some of the world's most challenging environments. Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation have announced a new global humanitarian partnership at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), bringing together their humanitarian expertise, technology and global reach to better support children and communities before, during and after emergencies. The partnership will strengthen emergency preparedness and humanitarian response and expand access to Vodafone Foundation's technology and connectivity solutions in some of the world's most challenging environments. The collaboration was announced as recent climate-linked emergencies around the world - including flash floods in Nepal, heatwaves and forest fires globally - as well as ongoing conflict and displacement, continue to put millions of children at risk. These crises underscore the importance of greater investment in resilient infrastructure, technology and partnerships that can help communities better anticipate, withstand and recover from emergencies. A key element of the partnership is Vodafone Foundation's donation of six Instant Network kits - portable communications systems that can rapidly restore connectivity when conventional networks are disrupted by disasters or conflict. Pre-positioned at humanitarian hubs around the world and deployed by Save the Children during emergencies, the kits will help response teams coordinate operations, assess needs and deliver life-saving assistance more quickly. Vodafone Foundation will provide the technology, training and technical support for the kits, while Save the Children will oversee secure routine testing and deployment. Instant Network has already been used by Save the Children during emergency responses, including in Mozambique, where the technology helped improve operational coordination. To mark the launch, Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation co-hosted a high-level roundtable at UNGA, bringing together leaders from government, humanitarian organisations, philanthropy and business to discuss what's needed to prepare for increasingly frequent and complex humanitarian emergencies over the next decade. "Children must be at the heart of every humanitarian response and as recent crises in our world have shown us, we can no longer just react. Communities must be equipped with the tools to better anticipate, withstand and recover from emergencies and technology and better connectivity absolutely plays a vital role. That's why Save the Children's partnership with Vodafone Foundation is an important one that helps to better support communities in times of crisis." - Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children "In a crisis, reliable connectivity can make a vital difference - helping responders coordinate more quickly, communities access the support they need and strengthening preparedness for the future. That's why we're pleased to partner with Save the Children, bringing together its humanitarian expertise with Vodafone Foundation's technology and connectivity to support children and communities before, during and after emergencies." - Joakim Reiter, Vodafone Foundation Trustee and Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Group "With humanitarian needs higher than ever, and budgets being slashed, it is vital that we do all we can to maximize our impact for those facing their hour of need. Preparedness is at the heart of this and can make all the difference to those in crisis. I've seen for myself the difference it can make - from Sudan, to Ukraine, to Gaza - when skilled local partners work in lockstep with international actors bringing vital resources to communities. The cost of acting only once a crisis has broken out is vast and can be measured in lives destroyed and communities shattered. It's vital we make the case for funding models that can support preparedness, and I welcome all initiatives that bring about faster action and greater impact when it really counts." - Jan Egeland, Secretary General, Norwegian Refugee Council "Anticipatory Action and Early Warning Systems save lives. It is essential that communities are at the heart of these and that they have the funding to act." - Dylan Winder, Director of Global Humanitarian Diplomacy, IFRC The partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation, including collaboration on Skills Upload Junior, part of Vodafone Foundation's wider work supporting young people's digital wellbeing, skills and resilience. The new global partnership extends this relationship into humanitarian preparedness and response. The partnership will also explore how Vodafone Foundation's TerraGuard software and Vodacom's M-Pesa cash-transfer payments could strengthen humanitarian response. Integrating these technologies into Save the Children's systems could help teams anticipate risks and enable assistance to reach families faster and more efficiently. Vodafone Foundation will also support Save the Children's Emergency Fund, enabling rapid response when crises occur and investment in action before disaster strikes. Vodafone Foundation will also join Save the Children's Humanitarian Network, a community of partners committed to faster, more effective humanitarian action for children. The TechAfrica News Podcast

Save the Children

Sep 24th, 2026

Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation launch global partnership to support children before, during and after crises.

Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation launch global partnership to support children before, during and after crises. 24 Sep 2026 Global A key element of the partnership is Vodafone Foundation's donation of six Instant Network kits - portable communications systems that can rapidly restore connectivity. NEW YORK, 24 September 2026 - Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation have announced a new global humanitarian partnership at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, bringing together their humanitarian expertise, technology and global reach to better support children and communities before, during and after emergencies. The partnership will strengthen emergency preparedness and humanitarian response and expand access to Vodafone Foundation's technology and connectivity solutions in some of the world's most challenging environments. The collaboration was announced as recent climate-linked emergencies around the world - including flash floods in Nepal, heatwaves and forest fires globally - as well as ongoing conflict and displacement, continue to put millions of children at risk. These crises underscore the importance of greater investment in resilient infrastructure, technology and partnerships that can help communities better anticipate, withstand and recover from emergencies. A key element of the partnership is Vodafone Foundation's donation of six Instant Network kits - portable communications systems that can rapidly restore connectivity when conventional networks are disrupted by disasters or conflict. Pre-positioned at humanitarian hubs around the world and deployed by Save the Children during emergencies, the kits will help response teams coordinate operations, assess needs and deliver life-saving assistance more quickly. Vodafone Foundation will provide the technology, training and technical support for the kits, while Save the Children will oversee secure routine testing and deployment. Instant Network has already been used by Save the Children during emergency responses, including in Mozambique, where the technology helped improve operational coordination. To mark the launch, Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation co-hosted a high-level roundtable at UNGA, bringing together leaders from government, humanitarian organisations, philanthropy and business to discuss what's needed to prepare for increasingly frequent and complex humanitarian emergencies over the next decade. Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children, said: "Children must be at the heart of every humanitarian response and as recent crises in our world have shown us, we can no longer just react. Communities must be equipped with the tools to better anticipate, withstand and recover from emergencies and technology and better connectivity absolutely plays a vital role. That's why Save the Children's partnership with Vodafone Foundation is an important one that helps to better support communities in times of crisis." Joakim Reiter, Vodafone Foundation Trustee and Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Group, said: "In a crisis, reliable connectivity can make a vital difference - helping responders coordinate more quickly, communities access the support they need and strengthening preparedness for the future. That's why we're pleased to partner with Save the Children, bringing together its humanitarian expertise with Vodafone Foundation's technology and connectivity to support children and communities before, during and after emergencies." The partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation, including collaboration on Skills Upload Junior, part of Vodafone Foundation's wider work supporting young people's digital wellbeing, skills and resilience. The new global partnership extends this relationship into humanitarian preparedness and response. The partnership will also explore how Vodafone Foundation's TerraGuard software and Vodacom's M-Pesa cash-transfer payments could strengthen humanitarian response. Integrating these technologies into Save the Children's systems could help teams anticipate risks and enable assistance to reach families faster and more efficiently. Vodafone Foundation will also support Save the Children's Emergency Fund, enabling rapid response when crises occur and investment in action before disaster strikes. Vodafone Foundation will also join Save the Children's Humanitarian Network, a community of partners committed to faster, more effective humanitarian action for children. Notes to editors About the partnership Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation have launched a new global humanitarian partnership to strengthen emergency preparedness and response. Vodafone Foundation is donating six Instant Network Kits to restore connectivity when conventional networks are disrupted, and the partners will explore how TerraGuard and Vodacom's M-Pesa payments could help teams anticipate risks and deliver assistance more quickly. The partnership also includes support for Save the Children's Children's Emergency Fund and aims to raise £1 million through Vodafone employee fundraising. In 2025 Save the Children raised £18 million for emergency responses while responding to crises across Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and beyond delivering what children need most during an emergency - food, water, medical care and safe spaces. About Vodafone Foundation Vodafone Foundation uses Vodafone's technology, people and philanthropy to support those impacted by health or humanitarian crises, abuse and the digital divide. Driven by a purpose to connect for good, Vodafone Foundation works with partners across its global footprint to deliver programmes that create safety, inclusion and opportunity for everyone. www.vodafonefoundation.org Media. Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Global Media Manager: Asia

The Truth International

Aug 27th, 2026

Parliament and Save the Children join forces to give Child Rights a stronger voice.

Parliament and Save the Children join forces to give Child Rights a stronger voice. The National Assembly Secretariat and Save the Children International have joined hands to strengthen cooperation on child-specific issues in Pakistan. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Parliament House in Islamabad on Thursday. The agreement aims to support parliamentary efforts focused on protecting and promoting children's rights. The partnership will also strengthen the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR). Furthermore, it seeks to encourage evidence-based parliamentary engagement on issues affecting children across the country. New partnership focuses on Child Rights. The MoU creates a framework for closer institutional cooperation between Parliament and Save the Children International. It also supports initiatives designed to address the changing needs and challenges faced by children. The agreement includes several areas of cooperation. These include the Children's Citizens Internship Programme and digital protection of children. Both sides will also work on other measures aimed at promoting and protecting child rights in Pakistan. The partnership seeks to contribute to a safer and more inclusive environment for children. At the same time, it aims to strengthen parliamentary initiatives that place children's welfare at the centre of policymaking. Officials attend MoU signing ceremony. National Assembly Secretariat Secretary Saeed Ahmad Maitla and Save the Children International Country Director Muhammad Khurram Gondal signed the agreement. Federal Coordinator of the PCCR and Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Danyal Chaudhry attended the ceremony. MNAs Asia Naz Tanoli and Daniyal Ahmed also participated in the event. Several National Assembly Secretariat officials were present as well. They included Special Secretary (Special Initiatives) Syed Shamoon Hashmi and Chief Technical Advisor Minail Khan. Syed Hazik Bukhari, Iffat Pervaz and Syed M. Arslan Kazmi also attended the ceremony. Save the Children International was represented by Mohammad Amer, Noor ul Amin, Rabia Rauf, Fawad Bakhtiar and Munazza Ali. Focus on a safer future for children. The agreement marks a step towards closer cooperation between Parliament and Save the Children International. More importantly, it reflects a shared commitment to advancing children's rights and well-being. Through stronger institutional coordination, the partnership aims to support child-focused parliamentary initiatives. It also seeks to encourage practical measures for children's protection and participation. The emphasis on digital protection further recognises the importance of creating safer spaces for children in an increasingly digital environment. Overall, the MoU provides a framework for continued cooperation on child rights in Pakistan. It brings parliamentary institutions and child-focused expertise together to support initiatives aimed at building a safer, more supportive and inclusive environment for children.

Save the Children

Employee Relations Specialist

About the job

About the company

Get referred to Save the Children

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

What critics are saying

What makes Save the Children unique

Benefits

Company News