HR Specialist

We support core people functions, including recruitment and onboarding, employee relations and engagement, training and development, performance management, and compliance with labour laws and regulations. By joining our team, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your contributions directly impact on the well-being and success of our staff, enabling us to better serve communities in need.  

Job Purpose  

As an HR Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the People & Culture department and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of core HR functions. Reporting to the Senior Manager, People & Culture, you will support HR administration, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, and compliance across the employee lifecycle. This is an additional role created to strengthen the department's capacity as IRC continues to grow and scale its people programs.  

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of HR best practices, hands-on experience with HR systems (Workday), excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.  

Job Duties & Responsibilities  

HR Operations  

• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement and innovation within HR operations 

• Administer HR policies and procedures to ensure organizational consistency and compliance. 

• Manage employee benefits, including enrollment, updates, and related inquiries.  

• Oversee contract renewals and updates in a timely and accurate manner.  

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records.  

• Provide guidance and support to employees on HR-related inquiries, issues, and concerns. 

• Assist with the development and implementation of HR initiatives, programs, and policies that support IRC's strategic objectives, and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity 

• Support a workplace culture that is safe, inclusive, accountable, and in line with the organization's mission, vision, values and humanitarian purpose.  

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding  

• Support the recruitment and selection process and coordinate a seamless onboarding experience for all new hires.  

• Collaborate with managers to identify staffing needs and support workforce planning, including the proposal and development of new roles.  

Employee Relations & Engagement  

• Support a positive and inclusive work environment through effective communication and conflict resolution  

• Assist with personnel issues and grievances in a timely, confidential and fair manner, including escalations as needed 

• Support staff engagement initiatives, including engagement surveys and needs assessments, to enhance overall job satisfaction.  

Performance Management, Training & Development  

• Support the Performance & Development Review (PDR) process and associated salary changes and provide guidance to managers on performance improvement plans.  

• Identify training needs and coordinate the development and delivery of training programs, and support career development initiatives. 

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll  

• Administer benefits (GroupHEALTH, RRSP, fitness rebate, Eau therapy) PTO, and leave of absences, and support the annual compensation review, employee loans, and educational agreements.  

• Assist with payroll processing, timesheets, T4s, and Records of Employment (ROEs) as needed 

Compliance & HRIS  

• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations, including applicable Ontario employment standards, human rights, occupational health and safety, accessibility, privacy, and workplace policy requirements 

• Support the roll-out, adoption, and maintenance of Workday, and stay current with industry trends and best practices to continuously improve HR processes.  

Skills  

• Strong, current command of Canadian employment legislation, case law, and best practice with the confidence and judgment to apply it to real workplace situations.  

• Proven ability to draft clear, practical HR policies, procedures, and guidelines that align with organizational objectives.  

• Hands-on experience with Workday is a strong asset.  

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, paired with a high standard of written and verbal communication.  

• Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize, plan work effectively, and follow through on realistic action plans.  

• A collaborative and motivating team player who welcomes feedback and actively contributes to process improvement.  

• Sound discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information while managing multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.  

 
Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or Organizational Development.  

• CHRP designation (or candidate) is preferred  

• A minimum of 2–3 years of related experience in Human Resources / Organizational Development, preferably in the NGO / charity sector.  

Hybrid Work Policy: 
IRC has a hybrid model where in-office requirements are based on distance from our Burlington headquarters or a regional office (Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa). Depending on where you live, this can range from two days a week to one day a month.  

Commitment to Accessibility: 
Islamic Relief Canada is committed to providing inclusive employment opportunities. Accommodation requests are invited at all stages of IRC recruitment, hiring, and employment processes. We make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. If you have any accommodation requests or questions regarding the hiring process, contact us at careers@islamicreliefcanada.org or 1-855-377-4673