Rafia Tabish

Lead HR strategy for a rapidly expanding modular construction firm, with operations across Canada and the United States. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, shaping a people-first culture while aligning HR functions with business transformation, operational efficiency, and compliance across jurisdictions.

• Built and scaled a skilled, diverse workforce by leading full-cycle recruitment for over 100 technical, professional, and field roles across provinces and the U.S. states.
• Spearheaded the implementation of a centralized HRIS platform, enhancing payroll accuracy, onboarding experience, and benefits administration.
• Designed and executed comprehensive HR policies and SOPs aligned with the Employment Standards Act (2000), California labor laws, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Human Rights Code.
• Guided the performance management lifecycle, including year-end reviews, coaching conversations, compensation planning, and internal mobility initiatives.
• Championed employee engagement through leadership training, safety culture enhancements, and structured feedback channels.
• Oversaw benefits programs (RRSP/DPSP, health insurance) and safety compliance across multiple construction sites, ensuring employee well-being, and regulatory adherence.
• Partnered directly with the CEO and executive team to position HR as a catalyst for organizational growth, culture-building, and change readiness.

• Managed recruitment, compensation, leave management, and documentation to ensure readiness for HR audits, achieving compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Developed and implemented a robust local internship program, enhancing talent pipelines, and providing valuable experience for interns.
• Administered the Learning Management System (LMS) for all contract types, ensuring proper tracking and development of employee skills.
• Revamped HR processes to improve business efficiency, successfully targeting and achieving a high audit rating for HR.

• Acted as the primary liaison between Payroll and two unionized long-term care facilities (approx.). 200 staff, 2 Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Supported the post-implementation of workforce scheduling software, improving accuracy and compliance.
• Validated payroll entries, and provided recommendations for business process improvement.
• Delivered year-end payroll reporting and audit support.
• Analyzed key performance indicators related to staffing, scheduling, and forecasting.
• Monitored employee attendance and addressed any discrepancies promptly.

Played a key role in supporting HR operations, labor relations, and compliance within a unionized manufacturing environment of 300+ skilled trades employees. Positioned HR as a strategic partner in workforce stability, employee experience, and operational continuity.

• Led full-cycle recruitment and onboarding for unionized skilled trades, optimizing talent pipelines, and reducing time-to-fill for critical roles amid fluctuating production demands.
• Strengthened labor-management relations by supporting union negotiations, ensuring fair and consistent application of the collective agreement, and facilitating early conflict resolution.
• Maintained end-to-end oversight of attendance tracking, payroll accuracy, and benefits enrollment, proactively addressing discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with employment standards and union entitlements.
• Actively participated in the Joint Health & Safety Committee, promoting a culture of safety, and ensuring alignment between operational practices and legislative requirements.
• Partnered with operations leadership to reinforce HR compliance, monitor grievance trends, and recommend policy improvements to better support unionized staff.
• Contributed to a collaborative labor relations environment by building trust with frontline employees, delivering clear CBA guidance to supervisors, and supporting disciplinary consistency and due process.

Provided HR leadership within a globally governed environment, ensuring alignment with UN policies, international labor standards, and human rights frameworks. Supported workforce operations and staff engagement in line with the UN Charter and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Developed and implemented HR policies aligned with international law, the UN Charter, and FAO’s operational objectives.
• Led end-to-end recruitment for technical and professional roles, promoting diversity and transparency in line with UN system values.
• Administered employee benefits and entitlements in compliance with host country laws, and global staff regulations.
• Facilitated training and development programs supporting staff capacity and SDG-aligned goals, such as gender equality and decent work.
• Provided guidance on employee relations and conflict resolution, fostering respectful and rights-based workplace practices.
• Collaborated with leadership on HR planning and process improvements within a multicultural, mission-driven setting.

Led high-impact HR and recruitment initiatives for over 650 international and national staff across multiple duty stations. Partnered with UN leadership to modernize HR operations and deliver scalable solutions in line with UNDP’s mandate, international employment standards, and inter-agency cooperation.

• Spearheaded the modernization of HR/payroll infrastructure, optimizing SAP/PeopleSoft systems to enhance data visibility, process efficiency, and cross-functional reporting across global teams.
• Appointed Head of HR for UNDP South Africa on a high-profile detail assignment, leading all aspects of HR strategy, operations, and compliance within a complex regional context.
• Led strategic recruitment efforts across professional, technical, and field-based roles, applying competency-based selection, ensuring roster readiness, and promoting diversity in line with UN system standards.
• Developed a revenue-generating HR service matrix that extended HR support to other UN agencies, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and operational cost recovery.
• Directed global salary surveys and job evaluation initiatives, contributing to the consistency and equity of compensation frameworks across duty stations.
• Recognized with a Best Practice Award for redesigning payroll procedures that improved accuracy, timeliness, and transparency.
• Consistently earned top-tier performance ratings for delivering proactive solutions and strategic HR support in fast-changing environments.

• Managed recruitment, compensation, leave management, and documentation to ensure readiness for HR audits, achieving compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Developed and implemented a robust local internship program, enhancing talent pipelines, and providing valuable experience for interns.
• Administered the Learning Management System (LMS) for all contract types, ensuring proper tracking and development of employee skills.
• Revamped HR processes to improve business efficiency, successfully targeting and achieving a high audit rating for HR.