About Trócaire 

 Trócaire is a leading International NGO. We work with local partners in the world's most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We work towards five goals:  

 • Promote Access to Justice;  

• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;  

• Ensure Women & Girls' Protection, Voice & Influence;  

•  Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and  

•  Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice. 

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

The People & Culture Operations Lead is a core team member of the People & Culture Division responsible for leading HR Operations and enabling continuous improvement in service delivery, compliance and employee experience. Working with the Employee Experience Manager, this role will drive the further development and optimisation of efficient, HR systems and processes across diverse country contexts. This is a hands-on role critical to embedding best practices and promoting a culture of operational excellence across all countries.

The role will report to the Employee Experience Manager and will manage a team of 3 People and Culture Operations Assistant. The role can be based in Maynooth, Ireland; or Belfast, Northern Ireland. There is the possibility to discuss Hybrid Working.

Key responsibilities

 Operational / Team Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of People and Culture Operations, across the full employee lifecycle ensuring compliance with internal policies and employment legislation.

• Manage coach and develop three People and Culture Operations assistants to build capability, ensure consistency and drive effective performance.

• Identify opportunities to streamline ways of working to enable agility and remove unnecessary complexity.

• Promote a supportive and agile team culture encouraging accountability and continuous learning.

Systems / Process Improvement

• Lead the global optimisation of the HR Information System (HRIS) and recruitment systems to enhance usability, data integrity, and user experience.

• Design and lead user acceptance testing (UAT), system upgrades, and related change management activities.

• Collaborate with country office focal points to ensure HR processes are both globally aligned and locally responsive.

• Develop and maintain clear, accessible process documentation for all core HR systems and workflows.

Data and Reporting

• Translate data insights into practical recommendations to support staff wellbeing, inclusion, and performance.

• Oversee the accurate and timely maintenance of employee data within the HRIS.

• Develop and maintain HR dashboards and regular reports that support strategic decision-making and operational planning.

•  Monitor and analyse key HR metrics (e.g., attrition, recruitment, performance trends) to identify risks and opportunities.

Stakeholders / Suppliers Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with People & Culture Business Partners, Corporate Services, and other internal stakeholders to ensure coordinated service delivery.

• Build a community of practice amongst People and Culture focal points in Country offices, facilitating knowledge sharing.

• Support cross-functional projects including audits, AI integration, and digital transformation initiatives.

• Manage relationships with external suppliers and service providers, ensuring timely processing of invoices and accurate contract documentation. 

Any other duties may be assigned from time to time, should the needs of the organisation require it. The responsibilities of the role may be changed from time to time as the needs of the organisation evolve.

Essential Requirements

Experience

•Minimum of four years' experience in a leadership role within an HR Operations environment, preferably within a global or complex organisational context.

• Strong knowledge of HRIS systems and experience in leading on improvements / upgrades.

• Proven track record of improving HR operational processes and delivering high-quality, efficient, and scalable HR services.

• Experienced in coaching, developing, and supporting team members to achieve consistent performance and professional growth.

• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and best practice in HR, with the ability to ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse teams and geographies.

• Practical, hands-on approach, actively involved in the day-to-day delivery of HR operations while also ensuring strategic oversight and continuous improvement.

•  Demonstrates empathy and alignment with the mission and values of Trócaire, with a genuine commitment to social justice, dignity, and people-centred leadership.

Qualifications

• Relevant third level qualification in HR or Business Administration or equivalent experience.

• CIPD qualification (Desirable).

Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. More information on Trócaire's safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire.

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here