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Position title:
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HR Officer (Lead)
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Reports to:
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Country Director with dotted line to Global HR Director/Regional Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP) for Temperate Asia Region (based in London, UK)
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Position Managed:
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NA
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Location:
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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (with occasional travel to the countryside)
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Country Program/Sector:
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WCS Mongolia
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Position type:
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Full-time
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Scope/Capacity:
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COUNTRY
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Coordinates with:
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WCS Mongolia Finance Manager, WCS Mongolia Operations Director
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ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission. More information at www.wcs.org. WCS is organized into a set of regional programs, which includes the Andes‐Amazon‐Orinoco (AAO) region, comprised of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru country programs, in addition to region‐wide engagement on a variety of conservation matters.
ABOUT WCS GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM:
Within the context of WCS’s Human Resources Framework, the Global Human Resources team partners with Global Conservation to build a global, diverse, and engaged workforce by attracting, developing, and retaining talent to deliver on Global Conservation’s strategy and mission. Global HR collaborates with leadership, managers, and employees to develop talent solutions and engage on performance, employee relations, and policy application while partnering on a wide range of activities with HR Centers of Excellence – Talent, Total Rewards, and HR Operations and Systems. The Global HR team ensures that WCS Global has the diverse, equitable, inclusive, and high-impact global teams necessary to drive an ambitious conservation agenda.
WCS MONGOLIA PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Established in Ulaanbaatar in 2003, WCS Mongolia has dedicated over two decades to the conservation of Mongolia’s rich wildlife and expansive landscapes. The organization focuses on science-driven, landscape-level conservation, with key efforts in the Southern Gobi and Eastern Steppe, alongside emerging initiatives in Central Mongolia. In addition to regional projects, WCS Mongolia engages in national-level conservation efforts, collaborating with governments, communities, NGOs, and industries to promote biodiversity preservation, landscape connectivity, and sustainable resource management. In 2024, WCS Mongolia launched a five-year strategy focused on three key pillars: enhancing ecological function, strengthening landscape connectivity, and building resilience to climate change. These pillars guide the organization’s work, with the overarching vision of ensuring Mongolia’s ecological integrity for future generations.
JOB PURPOSE:
Reporting to the Mongolia Country Director with a dotted line to the Global HR Director, the HR Officer Lead executes WCS’s human resources activities across Mongolia. The HR Officer Lead will work in partnership with managers and employees to deliver HR plans and solutions in line with the needs and priorities of the country as well as WCS´s HR Global strategy and guidelines. The HR Officer Lead will implement and oversee all core country-level HR processes on a day-to-day basis, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance , among other activities. The focus of the role is to deliver all HR activities in the country program in line with WCS HR tools, policies, and operating procedures. The role is progressive in nature and will evolve over time to meet the evolving needs of HR and the country program. This is a standalone HR role with no direct administrative support, and the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and processing all HR administration and operations including records management independently.
This is an opportunity for an HR professional who is passionate about supporting people who are making a positive impact in the world. WCS seeks a dynamic, well-organized, hands-on, and hard-working team player who is action-oriented and client service oriented. The role also requires someone with HR experience in Mongolia and who is fluently bilingual in Mongolian and English.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide day-to-day HR support to the country program and serve as primary point of contact for all HR matters in coordination with the Global HR Director/Regional Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP). Coordinate, as required, with colleagues from Finance and Administration, Office of the General Counsel, broader HR, and IT.
- Ensure accurate preparation, filing and maintenance of all HR paperwork and records without administrative support.
- Lead the recruitment and selection process, including ensuring job descriptions are accurate and effective, posting positions, screening applications, coordinating the interview process, and preparing and extending offers.
- Onboard all country staff in coordination with the country leadership team.
- Implement an effective performance management process in line with WCS’s global Talent framework.
- Organize and implement appropriate learning and development programs for the country in alignment with WCS global strategy, resources, and local needs.
- Administer the national salary scales in alignment with global compensation & benefits guidelines including setting staff salaries with oversight from the country director and Global HR Director/ Regional HRBP.
- Ensure that all leadership and employees in the country complete WCS´s compliance requirements including Code of Conduct training to support a positive workplace culture and support resolutions on any issues that may arise.
- Update, implement and/or improve HR manuals, policies, standard operating procedures, and toolkits across the country to ensure effective, efficient, fair, and transparent processes, and promote equal opportunities. Ensure compliance with local labour laws in coordination with legal counsel and/or labour offices where appropriate.
- Ensure that HR issues are given full consideration in all decision making and are in compliance with the spirit and intent of local labour regulations and requirements as well as donor requirements where applicable. Solicit feedback and recommend improvements where appropriate.
- Coordinate all documentation related to the employees' life cycle (vacation, leaves, compensations, illnesses, accidents, absences, suspensions, warnings, job changes, promotions, salary adjustments, etc.). Maintain organized and up to date personnel files.
- Stay up to date on trends in the HR field through continuous learning, certifications, and maintaining an active network of HR professionals within and outside of the iNGO sector.
- Complete any other HR duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND JOB SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- At least 5-8 years of progressive HR professional experience, including HR management experience.
- Experience supporting HR activities through the employee lifecycle from recruitment to exit and separation, including developing and implementing HR process, policies, and procedures.
- Demonstrated success implementing HR processes and initiatives, adding value to achieve organizational goals.
- Resourceful and proactive in prioritizing issues, creating, and executing on innovative solutions.
- Demonstrated success in supporting and building relationships with all staff members.
- Experience in developing HR processes, policies, and procedures.
- Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills.
- Excellent planning, negotiation, influencing, detail oriented and communication skills.
- Fluency in Mongolian and English is required for this role.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- PHR, GPHR, CIPD, or other relevant HR certification (preferred but not required).
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Please submit your completed application by including (all in one pdf file);
1) CV in English,
2) With a one-page cover letter in English explaining your interest and suitability for this position,
3) Along with diploma copies, and
4) at least 2 reference letters provided by previous line managers;
- The subject line of your email submission with “Application – HR Officer Lead Mongolia [Candidate Name]” and interested applicants should submit the application to the following email address: hrmongolia@wcs.org
- Applications should be sent on or before 5:00pm Ulaanbaatar time, Friday, 29th of August 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted; Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program
201 San Business Center, Amar Street-29, Small ring road, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia. Tel: +976-11-323719