A Career Opportunity 

UNICEF Canada is the world’s leading humanitarian organization for children and one of Canada’s top employers in our sector. We’re committed to working to address the needs of every child around the world through our work, while being committed to building an inclusive culture that inspires our team members each and every day.

Senior Lead, People and Culture

(Permanent; Full time; Flexible-Hybrid; based in Toronto)

In this new role of Senior Lead, People & Culture, we’re seeking a key team member to continue shaping a culture of collaboration, engagement, and excellence as we drive to achieve results that create meaningful change in the lives of children, both today and in the future. UNICEF Canada is seeking a collaborative, curious, high-performing leader who is a proven strategic thinker and trusted thought leadership partner in people and culture to develop and advance an exceptional employee experience.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, and working closely with the Executive Team of UNICEF Canada, the Senior Lead, People & Culture is an inclusive and trusted people leader with a proven ability to coach and influence high-performing teams to advance UNICEF Canada’s mission, values and goals. The Senior Lead, People & Culture is a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), providing strategic human resources advice, policy development and creating an engaging culture that attracts and retains a talented, diverse workforce.

The responsibilities of the position will include (but are not limited to):

Strategic Human Capital Leadership (30%)

  • Provide strategic direction, leadership, and counsel to UNICEF Canada’s Executive and Senior leadership teams in human resources practices and best-in-class culture of high-performance, engagement and inclusion. 
  • Supports Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and leaders on organizational scope and design where required.
  • Drives the development of talent management strategies and directs people leader training, leadership coaching and mentoring.
  • Proactively partners with stakeholders to identify needs and provide advice and coaching to support change management.
  • Designs and implements the employee value proposition that attracts and retains top talent, in collaboration with the Director, Anti-Racism and DEI.
  • Ensures that employee policies and practices are consistent with relevant legislation and reflect UNICEF Canada’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, in collaboration with the Director, Anti-Racism and DEI.

Culture Champion and Employee Engagement (25%)

  • Drives an adaptive culture of cohesive cross-collaboration, integrity and creative problem-solving to achieve results and shape the future for every child.
  • An exemplary model of cross-organizational leadership and support, serving as a leadership role model that positively influences and contributes to the overall success of the team and organization.
  • Develops and launches a growth and development training program that is in line with the skills required to allow our team to realize their full potential and achieve our organizational goals, in collaboration with the Director, Anti-Racism and DEI. 
  • Build a high-performing People & Culture team, providing technical guidance to support growth.
  • Identifies areas of culture to be celebrated and recognized; nurtures an environment of trust, inclusivity, innovation, agility, and high performance, in collaboration with the Director, Anti-Racism and DEI.
  • Provides expert guidance as a change leader.

Talent Management (25%)

  • Provides strategic direction to talent acquisition and retention, enhancing the recruitment process and time.
  • Provides advice to people leaders on job design and enhance job evaluation processes.
  • Creates a positive candidate experience and provide a best-in-class onboarding process for all new employees.
  • Proactively partners with stakeholders to identify needs and provide advice and coaching to support management with talent advancement and succession planning.
  • Works with ELT to ensure UNICEF Canada’s Strategic Plan is matched with a comprehensive talent strategy to achieve results.
  • Provides guidance to people leaders on volunteer management.

Total Rewards (20%)

  • Designs and implements compensation philosophy and practices, including salary, benefits, pension, recognition, and wellness, aligned with strategic plans and priorities. Makes recommendations for improvements based on research and data.
  • Partners with benefits and pension brokers to provide meaningful programs, in alignment with relevant legislative requirements.

Salary Range: $107,000 to $131,000 per year per year.

The ideal candidate will have:  

  • University degree in Human Resources or related field
  • Minimum of 10 years of people leadership experience
  • Certified Human Resource Leader (CHRL) preferred.
  • Strong understanding of employment laws in Canada
  • Sound judgment, strong planning and organizing skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships, influence and collaborate at all levels of an organization.
  • Bilingual in English and French an asset

What we Offer: 

UNICEF Canada strongly supports workplace wellness and offers the following benefits:

  • Extended Health and Dental Benefits with Health Care Spending Account
  • Life insurance and AD&D
  • Short Term Disability (STD) 
  • Long Term Disability (LTD) 
  • Employer contributions (5%) to Group Pension plan
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • 2 paid personal days.
  • 10 paid sick days
  • Maternity and Parental leave top-up
  • 4 weeks of annual leave (vacation time increases with time served)
  • One additional day of vacation on the anniversary of each year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
  • Staff Appreciation Days.
  • Currently offering Flexible-Hybrid work option. 
  • Learning and Development Opportunities.
  • Discounted rate for a GoodLife membership. 

For consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@unicef.ca by June 4, 2024. Please attach your cover letter (including salary expectations) and resume as one document and reference “Senior Lead, People and Culture” clearly in the subject heading.

UNICEF Canada sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Consistent with our Child Safeguarding Policy, the successful candidate must receive clearance by a police background check, including a vulnerable sector screen.

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the position.