El Salvador Local Governance Solutions Activity 

Human Resources & Office Manager 

Position Location: El Salvador 

Background: Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.   

Project Summary: The USAID-funded El Salvador Local Governance Solutions Activity will aim to support local governance in municipal consolidation, municipal financial sustainability, citizen engagement, improved service delivery (including safety and security) and address climate change and urbanization challenges. 

Position Summary: The Human Resources (HR) and Office Manager leads HR practices and objectives to foster a high-performance team culture emphasizing employee engagement, performance management, and the recruitment and ongoing professional development of project staff. This role also encompasses a broad range of administrative, operational, and organizational responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of an office and efficient working environment. The HR and Office Manager is responsible for maintaining processes and metrics that support the achievement of the project’s goals, including compliance with Creative and donor/client human resources policies, procedures, and regulations.  

Primary Responsibilities: 

Human Resources Management: 

• Manages HR office operations ensuring compliance with Creative and client HR rules and regulations for Creative and subcontractor staff. 

• Leads/coordinates the entire employment cycle, including the recruitment process, onboarding, performance management including disciplinary issues, promotions, employee relations, and separation, as well as benefits and labor reporting.  

• Recruitment responsibilities include: finalization of job descriptions, advertisement of vacancies, reviews and sourcing of applicants, scheduling and conducting interviews alongside project senior management, checking candidate references and in-country vetting processes, and collecting new hire documents 

• Partners with program staff to understand skills and requirements for targeting successful candidates, filter candidates to propose a pool of highly qualified applicants. 

• Responsible for the onboarding and orientation of newly employed staff. 

• Supports the team in analyzing HR local trends and benefits to recommend competitive solutions to attract quality candidates. 

• Collaborates with project leadership in developing succession plans if applicable. 

• Leads the development of employee retention programs and embeds diversity and inclusion into talent, learning, recruitment, engagement, and performance management. 

• Manages the onboarding and orientation of new hires. 

• Responsible for staying up to date on local labor laws and effectively managing changes within the project to ensure HR compliance. 

• Responsible for developing employment agreements according to local labor laws, including registering agreements with required institutions if applicable. 

• Manages local benefits enrollment and ensures all inquiries and challenges employees face regarding their insurance are handled on time. 

• Provides information and advice to project staff regarding HR policies and procedures. 

• Coordinates the performance evaluation process. 

• Responsible for coordinating staff training and establishing staff development plans based on staff appraisals and evaluations. 

• Receives and logs various grievances or complaints from employees; consults with HQ-HR Operations Manager and legal counsel regarding complex cases and provides recommendations and potential solutions before forwarding complaints to management for review. 

• Provides oversight on updating personnel files and other related HR documents, including employment agreements, amendments, timesheets, calendar holidays, and leaves. 

• Provide information as required by Compliance Officers/Auditors during audits. 

• Prepare and provide new employee documents containing Creative rules and regulations. 

• Process and compile employee records confidentially and accurately in files and electronically. 

• Ensure individual employees fill in and submit timesheets on time and reconcile with information on leave forms. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Office Management: 

• Oversee the daily operations of the office, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment. 

• Manage office budgets, including supplies, equipment, inventory and maintenance. 

• Facility management: Coordinate with vendors and service providers to maintain office infrastructure. 

•  Scheduling and coordination: Manage meeting rooms, company calendars, and travel arrangements for staff. 

• Document management: Organize and maintain office records, documents, and filing systems (both digital and physical). 

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration or a related field  

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible HR and office management experience  

• Demonstrated commitment to staff development, retention, diversity, equity, and inclusion.   

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  

• Excellent record-keeping and documentation skills.  

• Familiarity with donor/client rules and regulations.  

• Familiarity with local employment law.   

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.  

• Verbal and written working proficiency in English; Fluency in Spanish is required. 

• Candidate must be authorized to work in El Salvador. 

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.   

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.