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Standard 9: Proactive recruitment and onboarding for timely start-up.

Staff the project in time with the right people using recruitment and orientation best practices.

Phase: 
Start-up
Category: 
Human resource management
Key Action 1 Make sure there are staff in place for project start-up.
Who

Head of programming; human resources manager; project manager/chief of party or acting project manager; deputy regional director for program quality and deputy regional director for management quality; head of operations; country representative
When
  • For competitive proposals with a high win probability, initiate planning for start-up staffing within two weeks of proposal submission, and finalize the plan upon receiving notification of the donor’s intent to fund the project.
  • For other competitive proposals, initiate planning as soon as there is an indication of a potential win.
Key Action 2 Ensure that project human resource plans and contract arrangements conform with local labor laws, industry best practices, CRS policies and current market analysis.
Who

Human resources manager or officer; project manager/chief of party; headquarters human resources department
When
  • As part of the start-up recruitment processes.
  • For externally funded projects, begin the process (e.g., adapt contract templates) as soon as CRS receives notification of the donor’s intent to fund the project.
Key Action 3 Make sure all proposed project positions for CRS and partners have clear job descriptions.
Who

Human resources manager or officer (for national staff) and headquarters talent acquisition specialist (for international staff); hiring manager; project manager/chief of party (for positions for which the project manager is not the hiring manager); country representative or delegated approver
When
  • Externally funded projects:
    • For proposals with a high win probability: Develop/finalize any JDs for staff not designated as key personnel or project leadership shortly after proposal submission.
    • For other proposals: Develop/finalize JDs as soon as there is an indication of a win.
  • ​Discretionary funded projects: Develop/finalize JDs during early start-up; allow enough time to ensure the project is fully staffed by its start date.
Key Action 4 Proactively recruit for positions based on the project needs and on CRS and industry best practices.
Who

Hiring manager; human resources (HR) manager or officer (in country programs) or talent acquisition specialist in headquarters HR; head of programming; head of operations; country representative, and senior management team members as needed.
When
  • Proposals with a high win probability: Begin recruiting for remaining project positions within two weeks of submitting the proposal.
  • Other competitive proposals: As soon as there is an indication of a potential win.
  • Discretionary funded projects: In the early start-up period, so that qualified staff are in place in time for the official project start date.