Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic
Open To Work

Sophia Paracha

Summary

People and Culture Specialist with extensive experience in advisory and senior management roles within global settings. Exceptional interpersonal skills fostering positive relationships within organisations and across diverse cultures. Demonstrates strong problem-solving abilities and provides high-quality HR services in fast-paced environments.

Work History

International People & Culture Business Partner

Article 19
2024 - 2025
  • Collaborated with resilience strategy teams across MENA, Senegal, and East Africa to enhance team building and recruitment outcomes.
  • Facilitated P&C team's launch of global rewards project to enhance employee satisfaction.
  • Executed employee engagement project, presented survey results to staff, and established a working group to address feedback.
  • Strengthened team dynamics through targeted recruitment and management of employee casework.
  • Conducted benefits review leading to rollout of new employee assistance provider.
  • Reviewed salary scales to ensure equitable compensation across teams.
  • Supported director during country office visit to Tunisia for staff wellness day, reviewing team structure and job descriptions.

Senior HR Advisor

Greenpeace
2023 - 2024
  • Served as primary contact for Greenpeace International People & Culture team, strengthening HR relationships and facilitating staff engagements in UK.
  • Guided managers on people management practices, focusing on contracting, recruitment, and employee casework.
  • Delivered comprehensive recruitment and contracting services in coordination with other Greenpeace NROs and global project heads.
  • Managed employee cases related to DEI and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring support and resolution for affected staff.
  • Engaged in pilot training with Diversity & Inclusion group for rollout of ‘Towards an Anti-Oppressive Greenpeace’.
  • Developed collaborative partnerships with People & Culture colleagues across Amsterdam, Philippines, Poland, and Kenya, enhancing cross-regional HR initiatives.

HR Advisor

Freedom from Torture
2022 - 2023
  • Managed full-spectrum recruitment, contracting, and onboarding services in collaboration with line managers.
  • Coached managers on policy implementation while managing sensitive employee relations cases to ensure compliance and resolution.
  • Provided partnering services to support heads of directorates, enhancing alignment and collaboration across the organization.
  • Hosted quarterly corporate induction days and coordinated staff surveys to foster engagement and inform organizational improvements.

HR Coordinator

INTERSOS
2019 - 2020
  • Managed HR services for approximately 120 staff and volunteers across Kabul and Kandahar offices.
  • Supported Head of Mission in supervising 10 expatriate staff, ensuring operational effectiveness in high-security environment.
  • Recruited, trained, and mentored national HR manager while overseeing HR team of three.
  • Implemented annual performance reviews and objective-setting processes across mission to enhance employee development.
  • Advised head of mission on critical HR issues, strengthening compliance and optimizing HR operations.
  • Drafted and finalized internal staff regulations aligned with national labor laws.
  • Reviewed and updated salary scales and function grids in collaboration with program managers.
  • Coached HR team on effective utilization of HRIS system to improve efficiency.

HR Coordinator

INTERSOS
2018 - 2019
  • Managed national HR manager and supervised five HR staff to enhance team collaboration and operational effectiveness.
  • Refined recruitment processes by implementing a structured selection procedure for managers.
  • Initiated roll-out of performance review process with presentations to teams and guidance for line managers.
  • Developed learning and development policy to enhance employee skills and support career growth.
  • Coordinated drafting of internal staff regulations with legal consultant and head of mission to ensure compliance and clarity.
  • Provided support to head of mission in administering 12 expatriate staff in high-security settings.
  • Directed HR services encompassing health, water, sanitation, education, and shelter programs with approximately 500 staff and volunteers.
  • Conducted assessment for new medical insurance options benefiting national staff.

International HR Adviser

BRITISH RED CROSS
2016 - 2018
  • Business Partner at the International Directorate division of BRC supporting Mediterranean Regional Team, Food Security and Disaster Risk Recovery Technical Team, Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy team, Lebanon Country Office
  • Facilitated high-volume recruitment, deployment, and onboarding of international delegates for BRC/ICRC overseas programmes, enhancing operational readiness.
  • Regular support to the ICRC Emergency Roster Recruitment Selection Days as an assessment panel member
  • Coached managers on key policies and procedures, providing guidance on case management related to disciplinary actions and performance evaluations.
  • Full range of contracting support and guidance provided for UK office staff, international delegates, internal staff secondments and a varied portfolio of specialist consultancies
  • Collaborated with L&D to devise and deliver WebEx for roll-out of BRC’s Behaviours Framework
  • Handled emergencies and repatriation requests as primary contact on HR on-call mobile phone.
  • Managed, coached and mentored personal HR Assistant to deliver excellent all-round HR admin support

Director of Human Resources

SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
2013 - 2015
  • Executed high-volume recruitment, scaling staffing from 80 to 400 in two years to meet program demands.
  • Collaborated with country director to effectively manage 35 international expatriate staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Managed five-member HR team in Beirut while coaching national HR manager for seamless transition and operational continuity.
  • Delivered HR services while supporting rapid expansion of multi-sector emergency programs during the Syrian refugee crisis.
  • Liaised with European, UK, and US SCI offices for deployment of specialist emergency roster staff.
  • Rolled out new annual SCI performance review system, including coaching sessions for staff.
  • Implemented transfer of all personnel data to SCI HR database system.
  • Co-managed immigration matters for international staff alongside country director and in-country lawyer.

Human Resources Coordinator

Medecins Sans Frontieres Switzerland
2010 - 2011
  • Delivered HR services and supported primary healthcare in Dadaab refugee camps with over 250 employees.
  • Managed 15 expatriate staff, ensuring effective support for head of mission in operational activities.
  • Supervised and mentored national HR manager and five administrative staff across Nairobi and field locations.
  • Identified training needs and aligned programs with operational objectives to enhance workforce capabilities.
  • Facilitated harmonization of HR management tools across MSF sections in Kenya, improving consistency and efficiency.
  • Finalized internal staff regulations and health policy, implementing new medical insurance scheme to enhance benefits for national staff.
  • Based in Kenya to oversee regional HR initiatives and service delivery effectiveness.

Human Resource Coordinator

Medecins Sans Frontieres Spain
2010 - 2011
  • Restructured redundancy and team-building initiatives to enhance psycho-social services in Occupied West Bank.
  • Coordinated recruitment processes for diverse roles within international humanitarian projects.
  • Managed employee onboarding and orientation programs for new hires across multiple locations.
  • Developed and maintained HR policies in alignment with organizational goals and values.

Human Resources Officer

Medecins Sans Frontieres
2007 - 2009
  • Executed high-volume recruitment for medical and non-medical professionals to support MSF field programs.
  • Organized recruitment fairs at London and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to attract top talent.
  • Collaborated with MSF European operational centers to facilitate UK field staff placements.
  • Oversaw learning and development plans to retain key talent within the organization.
  • Briefed and debriefed mission staff to ensure readiness and effective transitions.

Human Rights Observer/Ecumenical Accompanier

Quaker Peace & Social Witness
2006 - 2007
  • Advocated for human rights, provided accompaniment to vulnerable communities, and engaged in social witness activities in West Bank and Jerusalem.
  • Observed peacebuilding initiatives and documented key interactions among participants.
  • Analyzed social justice issues and provided insights for community engagement efforts.
  • Facilitated dialogue sessions to promote understanding and collaboration among diverse groups.

Human Resources Coordinator

Amnesty International
2001 - 2006
  • Coordinated HR administration, enhancing recruitment processes, contract management, and payroll accuracy.
  • Served as primary contact for organizational policy guidance, ensuring compliance and clarity for staff.
  • Implemented HRIS and developed online recruitment pages, streamlining candidate application processes.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - History And Politics

Queen Mary
London
06-1999

Skills

  • Recruitment
  • Employee Relations
  • Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
  • Organizational Development
  • Reward and Benefits
  • Policy Shaping
  • Employee Engagement
  • Key client relationships
  • Advisory, Coaching, Mentoring
  • Performance Management
  • Change Management
  • Training Facilitation

Hobbies and Interests

  • Holistic Health, Art, Research, Spirituality/Consciousness, World Geography, Astronomy, Ancient History, Indigenous Cultures, Archaeology, Quantum Physics, Music, Nature, Walks, Retreats, Fitness, Yoga & Meditation

Timeline

International People & Culture Business Partner

Article 19
2024 - 2025

Senior HR Advisor

Greenpeace
2023 - 2024

HR Advisor

Freedom from Torture
2022 - 2023

HR Coordinator

INTERSOS
2019 - 2020

HR Coordinator

INTERSOS
2018 - 2019

International HR Adviser

BRITISH RED CROSS
2016 - 2018

Director of Human Resources

SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
2013 - 2015

Human Resources Coordinator

Medecins Sans Frontieres Switzerland
2010 - 2011

Human Resource Coordinator

Medecins Sans Frontieres Spain
2010 - 2011

Human Resources Officer

Medecins Sans Frontieres
2007 - 2009

Human Rights Observer/Ecumenical Accompanier

Quaker Peace & Social Witness
2006 - 2007

Human Resources Coordinator

Amnesty International
2001 - 2006

Bachelor of Arts - History And Politics

Queen Mary

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Sophia Paracha