The Head of Workers' Welfare & Wellbeing is a pivotal role, driving the projects's strategic vision and ESG commitments. This leader will define and execute welfare strategies, provide expert guidance, and ensure compliance with international standards and Saudi Labor Law. They will lead a diverse team, oversee assurance processes, and represent the client in critical welfare and human rights discussions with key stakeholders.
Project duration: 5 months
Responsibilities
- Define and execute an enterprise-wide Workers' Welfare & Wellbeing Strategy, aligning with client's strategic objectives and ESG commitments.
- Establish governance structures and escalation pathways to integrate welfare considerations into project planning and execution.
- Provide executive-level advice on welfare performance, human rights risks, and regulatory compliance matters.
- Serve as the custodian of client's Workers' Welfare Standards, ensuring policies are developed, benchmarked, and aligned with international frameworks.
- Mandate the inclusion of welfare obligations in project contracts, including EPC, EPCM, and labor supply agreements.
- Lead the enterprise assurance framework, overseeing contractor prequalification, risk audits, and compliance management.
- Provide oversight and recommendations for non-compliance issues, ensuring timely and effective corrective actions.
- Maintain an auditable evidence base to support executive reporting, lender reviews, and government inspections.
- Direct the labor rights compliance program, ensuring worker-facing practices meet client's high standards and legal obligations.
- Lead systemic remediation efforts and manage the enterprise worker voice and grievance mechanism, ensuring accessibility and confidentiality.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law, Industrial Relations, or a related field, with a preference for a Master's degree or equivalent.
- Minimum 22 years of progressive experience in workers' welfare, human rights, labor relations, or related fields.
- 8-10 years of leadership experience at the Director level or equivalent, preferably in complex, multi-contractor environments.
- Demonstrated success in leading enterprise-wide welfare, assurance, or compliance programs in major projects.
- Expert knowledge of Saudi Labor Law, MHRSD requirements, and international frameworks like IFC Performance Standard 2 and ILO Conventions.
- Advanced understanding of modern slavery and forced labor risk frameworks, and experience in ethical recruitment practices.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with a track record of building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, with a proven ability to represent organizations externally.
- Analytical mindset, proficient in interpreting data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions.
- Fluency in English and Arabic is highly desirable.
