2026: Calling for Human Resources Expertise in Recruiting for the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative

The Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI) is calling for experienced Human Resources (HR) professionals or companies to provide specialized HR services across its global workforce. HQAI, an independent non-profit organization, is dedicated to improving quality, accountability, and risk management in the humanitarian aid sector. With over a decade of audit and standard-setting experience, HQAI supports organizations working with vulnerable populations to enhance program quality, ensure compliance with humanitarian principles, and implement continuous improvement practices.

HQAI’s Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland, comprising a mix of local personnel and globally contracted staff. Additionally, the organization collaborates with a network of 50 independent auditors worldwide. In this context, HQAI seeks to externalize key HR services, inviting applications from qualified companies, independent consultants, or consortia. Applicants may submit proposals for one or multiple service categories (Lots), and successful candidates will collaborate on cross-cutting HR topics to support HQAI’s workforce effectively.

Scope of Work

The consultancy is divided into three main Lots:

Lot 1 – Strategic and Operational Human Resource Management

This Lot involves both advisory and hands-on HR support, including:

• Policy, Processes, and Frameworks:
  • Review and enhance HR policies, procedures, organizational charts, and reporting tools
  • Ensure best practices are incorporated, covering all HR models including Employer of Record (EOR) and consultant arrangements
• HR Advice:
  • Advise on emerging global HR practices aligned with HQAI’s strategic needs
  • Benchmark Geneva-based organizations to update compensation and reward systems
  • Support governance, compliance, and risk management in HR
• HR Operations:
  • Provide operational support to managers and ensure consistent application of staff management practices
  • Lead staff development initiatives and manage training records
  • Oversee change management and collaborate on issues related to grievances, harassment, and staff well-being
  • Track absences and sick leave while maintaining GDPR-compliant records

Lot 2 – Recruitment and Employee Cycle Management

This Lot focuses on global recruitment and onboarding, including:

• Managing end-to-end recruitment processes for all personnel, including country-specific employment terms
• Ensuring proper onboarding documentation and compliance with local laws and HQAI policies
• Conducting pre-employment checks, including reference verification and regulatory compliance
• Managing EOR partnerships and recruitment through EOR companies
• Developing and managing induction processes, IT requirements, and probation oversight
• Leading contractual updates as necessary

Lot 3 – Payroll and Administrative Management for Swiss-Based Personnel

This Lot requires expertise in Swiss law and is reserved for Swiss-based companies or consultants:

• Managing payroll, annual declarations, and HR administration for Geneva-based staff
• Coordinating onboarding and offboarding in collaboration with Lot 2
• Tracking absences, sick leave, insurance, and retirement packages, working with Lot 1 as required

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record in HR services relevant to one or more Lots. Key qualifications include:

• Recognized HR management certification or degree
• Minimum of seven years of professional HR experience
• Up-to-date knowledge of global employment laws and emerging HR practices
• Experience advising on people management, HR setup, and policy development in multicultural, multi-country contexts
• Solid understanding of data sensitivity and GDPR compliance
• For Lot 3, knowledge of Swiss labor law is required

Desired Skills and Competencies

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong strategic and operational HR expertise
• Ability to provide advisory support and hands-on HR management
• Experience managing recruitment, onboarding, and employee lifecycle processes globally
• Capacity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders across multiple time zones
• Excellent organizational, planning, and communication skills
• Familiarity with HR systems and ERP platforms for streamlined administration

Application Process

Interested candidates or companies should submit their applications in English via email to recruitment@hqai.org, referencing the consultancy title in the subject line. Applications must include:

• Draft inception outlining proposed approach
• Details of the proposed team, including CVs
• Financial proposal
• Names of two references (to be contacted in the final stage)

All applicants should agree to HQAI’s reference checks via the Misconduct Nondisclosure Scheme (MDS). Applicants based worldwide must work in time zones compatible with Switzerland to ensure effective collaboration with HQAI staff and partners.

Deadline and Selection

Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026. Due to expected high volumes, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who do not hear from HQAI within six weeks after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.

Final Thoughts

This opportunity is ideal for highly skilled HR professionals or companies with international experience in human resources management, recruitment, and payroll administration. By joining HQAI, selected consultants or organizations will play a critical role in supporting a global workforce that upholds high standards of accountability, quality, and compliance in the humanitarian sector.

The consultancy provides a chance to influence HR practices across a diverse, multinational organization, contributing to HQAI’s mission of improving quality and accountability in humanitarian aid.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding