Sarah  Sameer, Head of People, Culture and Change Management

Sarah Sameer

Head of People, Culture and Change Management

Handicap International

Location
Iraq
Education
Bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree, Oil Refinery,
Experience
13 years, 1 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :13 years, 1 Months

Head of People, Culture and Change Management at Handicap International
  • Afghanistan - Kabul
  • My current job since December 2023

This seasonal 6 months HR assignment encompasses a multifaceted approach to strategic HR management, standards rollout, operational implementation, emergency preparedness, expertise, and accountability. The focus lies on aligning HR strategies with organizational goals, implementing, and enforcing HR standards, overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring legal compliance, developing emergency preparedness plans, fostering expertise within the HR team, and promoting a culture of accountability. The assignment emphasizes seamless integration of HR actions with strategic objectives, effective implementation of policies, and collaboration across departments for organizational success.

Iraq & NES HR Director at Heartland Alliances International
  • Iraq - Erbil
  • May 2021 to July 2023

• Collaborate with leadership to execute HR and talent strategy, addressing opportunities, risks, and staff retention.
• Provide guidance and mentorship on complex HR matters to management and staff.
• Develop initiatives for employee well-being, mental health, and work-life balance, offering support and resources.
• Strengthen brand positioning across channels through strategic initiatives.
• Analyze compensation trends, propose competitive programs for talent attraction and retention.
• Identify training needs, develop programs, and support employee development.
• Partner with legal agencies to ensure compliance with SS/TAX, labor offices, and employee relations.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices.
• Guide integration of branding into HR practices for cultural cohesion.
• Lead risk initiatives and investigations related to safety, compliance, and safeguarding.
• Maintain HR policies fostering a positive, inclusive workplace while ensuring legal compliance.
• Assess organizational structure and align competencies with performance management.
• Manage compensation and benefits policies effectively.
• Lead change management efforts during organizational transitions.
• Mentor HR team, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Coordinate monthly payroll input and consult with Finance for payment.

People Engagement Partner Iraq and Jordan at UBER / Careem
  • Iraq - Erbil
  • March 2019 to May 2021

Startup Careem by UBER Mar 2019 - May 2021

• Develop peoples strategy aligned with business objectives and goals.
• Foster a positive workplace culture and employee engagement.
• Provide guidance on leadership capability, performance management, collaboration, teamwork, and goal achievement.
• Assess development needs and recommend appropriate solutions for employees.
• Guide business leaders in implementing initiatives to drive operating efficiency and effectiveness.
• Design and deliver targeted solutions, including strategic planning, change management, and team building.
• Lead Branding Campaign Management such as internship program, Job fairs and social media.
• Collaborate with leadership teams to manage people in line with HR policies and business plans.
• Plan and budget for workforce planning and learning and development programs.

Country HR Manager at Relief International
  • Iraq - Baghdad
  • December 2017 to March 2019

HR Strategy
• Assist in the regular review and roll out of HR policies, employment policies and procedures in compliance to RI’s standards and evolving national labor law.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager and Country Director, assist in the development of staffing and recruitment plan to ensure that each team is staffed appropriately, according to need and funding availability, in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure the consistent implementation of HR and administration policies and procedures across the country program.

Recruitment
• Ensure staff hiring is conducted efficiently and in compliance with RI’s policies and national labor law.
• Ensure a transparent, timely and efficient recruitment process.
• In consultation with the HR Officer, determine salaries for selected candidates and prepare employment offer.
• Ensure pre-employment requirements are submitted and personnel file with documentation according to HR checklist is opened for new staff on a timely basis.
• Ensure that all staff have undergone orientation.

Compensation and benefits
• Ensure the timely and efficient payroll preparation for accurate data on donor code, number of days, benefits.
• Ensure the proper and accurate tracking of leave.
• Assist in the periodic salary review and analysis, and review and revision of new salary structure, as appropriate.

Employee Relations
• Ensure the timely processing of new contract, contract extension, staff transfer, promotions and other change of status.
• Manage processes related to disciplinary actions, staff separation, and termination.
• Respond to employee related queries and provide services to all HR related inquiries and requests.
• Keep Personnel Manual updated and constantly communicate it, along with other HR policies to staff.
• Make sure that employees’ files are auditable at all times as per RI standards and any relevant donors’ requirements.

Training
• Cooperate with RI’s Training Manager to implement capacity building initiatives and motivate staff to participate.

Country Senior HR Business partner at DeFacto
  • Iraq - Baghdad
  • December 2015 to December 2017

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers in the business unit.
• Support the delivery of HR processes at the clients side.
• Manage complex and difficult HR projects cross-functionally.
• Build a strong business relationship with internal clients.
• Identify gaps, propose changes, and implement risk-mitigating measures.
• Recruit key talents for the internal client.
• Facilitate management teams to implement solutions for employees.
• Drive performance improvement and positive changes in people management.
• Design and maintain organization vitality charts and succession plans.
• Challenge and propose changes to the organizational structure.

Iraq and Levant HR Manager - short contract at General Electric
  • Iraq - Baghdad
  • January 2017 to December 2017

• Provide guidance and coaching to managers and employees on HR topics.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and O&TD professionals to implement business-specific HR strategies.
• Identify, report, investigate, and resolve employee relations issues.
• Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and practices to promote an ethical and compliant work environment.
• Lead key HR processes, including compensation planning and compliance.
• Conduct HR training and performance development for functional processes.
• Assist with HR special projects or initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle workplace investigations.
• Coach and mentor new team members or HR Specialists/Generalists.
• Lead site-wide HR projects across multiple client groups.

Country HR Business partner at Defacto
  • Iraq - Baghdad
  • June 2015 to March 2017
Country HR Generalist at LC Waikiki
  • Iraq - Erbil
  • June 2013 to June 2015
HR Supervisor at Divan Hotel
  • Iraq - Erbil
  • January 2011 to May 2013

Education

Bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree, Oil Refinery,
  • at University Of Technology, Chemical Engineering
  • November 2008

Graduated as a Chemical Engineering - Oil Refinery

Specialties & Skills

Developments
Tax Law
HR Policies
Payroll Management
Data Management
Talent Acquisition
MANAGEMENT
MENTORSHIP
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
LEADERSHIP
PLANNING
COLLABORATION
CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
BRANDING
Payroll
Organizational development
Microsoft office
Employee relation
Taxation and Labor law
HR Strategy
Talent Management
Project Management

Social Profiles

Personal Website
Personal Website

URL removed due to policy violation. Please contact support for further information.

Languages

English
Expert
Arabic
Native Speaker
Kurdish
Expert
French
Intermediate

Memberships

Member of the Industry advisory board
  • Advisory
  • October 2017

Training and Certifications

CHRMP - HR Analytics (Certificate)
Date Attended:
June 2023
Valid Until:
June 2026

Hobbies

  • Reading