The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

The Position: Human Resources Shared Services Consultant (Independent Contractor)

The Foraker Group is expanding its team of human resources shared services consultants to grow our depth and breadth of services. Consultants are critical members of the Foraker Human Resources (HR) Shared Services Team, supporting smaller Alaska Tribes and nonprofits with a variety of HR needs.  We are seeking HR professionals deeply experienced in a wide range of HR functions who possess a genuine interest in being part of the Foraker team and want to support nonprofits and Tribes in their important work to serve Alaska communities.

HR consultants work collaboratively with other HR professionals and Foraker team members on an ongoing and project basis, providing tailored solutions and strategic, behind-the-scenes support to a diverse range of nonprofits and Tribes across Alaska. This position offers independent consultants the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team that is deeply immersed in Foraker culture and strategy. 

Foraker’s HR shared services and HR project support allows organizations to stay focused on their purpose and programs while accessing reliable HR expertise and systems. Consultants will also be asked to do project-based work or offer educational or facilitation activities depending on expertise and interest. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join Foraker to meet the growing demand for HR services. Many small nonprofits and Tribes lack dedicated HR staff or in-house HR expertise, yet still face increasingly complex compliance, hiring, employee relations, and personnel management responsibilities. Foraker HR services support organizations that need practical, affordable HR support that can function as an extension of their team while keeping the decisions inside the organization. Many organizations requesting HR support have fewer than 20 employees.

Core Responsibilities:

The Vice President (VP) of Programs oversees the HR shared services consultants. The consultants collaborate directly with the VP of Programs for engagement with Foraker clients (Partners) and other nonprofits and Tribes that seek HR services. The consultant is invited to bring a strategic voice as the team works to collaboratively support each Partner.  We are seeking to build a pool of consultants with the understanding that not all consultants will have expertise and experience in the various services we provide. We are searching for consultants to support us in:

• Providing one-on-one capacity-building facilitation for nonprofit organizations and Tribes using Foraker’s asset-based approach and philosophy.
• Delivering HR educational training for nonprofits and Tribes in large or small groups using Foraker’s approach and philosophy.
• Collaborating on the development of HR Shared Services.
• Developing new HR tools in concert with the Foraker team.
• Attending regular Foraker training and consultant enrichment activities.
• Collaborating with other Foraker team members (Foraker staff and consultants). Assisting with brainstorming, answering questions, and working together to solve problems.
• Sharing knowledge and collaborating across the organization and programs to serve our Partners cohesively.

NOTE: Any description of work is a picture of the major responsibilities that may be performed at a given point in time. Assignments and priorities may change.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

• A leader with a minimum of 5 years of effective HR experience is required. Nonprofit and/or Tribal workplace experience is appreciated but not required.
• Proven understanding of Federal Department of Labor laws and specific DOL laws in Alaska
• SHRM credential encouraged.
• Ability to provide strategic and tactical guidance on the body of knowledge of HR.
• Commitment and observance to the SHRM Code of Ethics.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in support of the nonprofit sector and sovereign Tribal governments in ways that align with Foraker's approach and philosophy of capacity building.
• Willing to deeply invest in being part of the Foraker team, including learning, shadowing and partnering with other Foraker team members.
• Ability to clearly communicate with a high level of trust and discretion for sensitive issues and information.
• Ability to bring humor, grace, and compassion to challenging situations while working alongside the internal team.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Master’s degree in organizational development, nonprofit leadership, tribal governance, MBA or a degree that is applicable to HR work is appreciated but not required.

Qualifications of all consultants and staff on the team:

• Agreement and endorsement of Foraker Consultant and Staff Guiding Principles
• Ability to reflect Foraker values in interactions and communications with others
• Strong commitment to a relationship-based approach to work
  • Ability to project a welcoming and helpful approach to all requests for assistance or information
  • Ability to treat others with respect and consideration regardless of status or position
  • Ability to be collaborative and flexible in approach to work
• Willingness and adaptability to meet each group where they are by working with organizational leaders with a variety of skills and capacity to understand and implement the subject matter
• Ability to identify and resolve problems promptly
• Ability to appreciate a high level of ambiguity while tracking work to completion and success
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to review and evaluate data to inform decision-making and the team
• Ability to act in humility and ask for support
• Open to learning and growing personal knowledge of/ support of the nonprofit sector and Tribes
• Commitment to excellence in culturally appropriate communication and live Foraker’s diversity, equity, and belonging commitments. (provided in the Workforce Handbook)

The Foraker Group is especially interested in consultants whose background and experience have prepared them to grow our commitment to engagement and inclusion with culturally diverse groups.

Compliance Expectations: As an independent contractor it is expected to comply with Alaska labor laws and therefore have the appropriate current business license, relevant insurance, and necessary tools, resources, and training to perform the duties outlined. 

This position requires excellent communication skills and exceptional follow-through in managing high-quality work. The consultant is responsible for ensuring that the HR needs of nonprofits and Tribes are met in a timely and accurate manner and in accordance with Foraker’s purpose, values, and goals, Department of Labor laws and all applicable organizational policies and procedures.

Work Hours & Availability: Work will primarily be delivered via Zoom, Teams, and other electronic means. Understanding that not all of our team members will be located in Alaska, everyone is expected to work Alaska business hours when client interface is required and appropriate. Some travel within Alaska may be appropriate depending on the client.

Compensation: The HR shared services contractor is an independent contractor and compensated on an hourly basis based on hours authorized for each specific engagement.  Compensation ranges from $50-$90/hr. The HR consultant and the VP of people and culture will agree on desired results, activities to achieve the results, and an up-to-maximum number of hours to be paid at an agreed rate for achieving these results. Changes in the results and/or the hours worked require mutual agreement of both parties.

Noncompete Agreement: Consultant is required to sign a non-compete for any consulting work in the nonprofit sector and Tribal government space in Alaska or where Foraker has existing relationships outside of Alaska. The consultant will be asked to acknowledge any pre-existing relationships in Foraker’s service area. All Foraker materials are for Foraker consulting and staff deployment only unless expressly permitted and sources cited. Any materials created by the consultant that is paid for by Foraker is considered to be Foraker’s content.  

To Apply

If you are interested in joining the Foraker and the HR consultant team, please send your cover letter and resume outlining your skills, talents, and interests in Foraker and our work to Heather at HRconsultantsearch@forakergroup.org. To recieve priority consideration, applications should be submitted by September 20, 2026. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The review process involves several steps to ensure Foraker and consultant alignment.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

We would like to get to know you and your original voice. Original work and thought is essential to the way that we conduct all of our business at Foraker, including our hiring process. We would like the opportunity to authentically evaluate your materials. Please do not use artificial intelligence to create your application materials or responses or your application will be withdrawn from our process. If you need reasonable accommodation, please let us know.

Our team is committed to a genuine engagement with you throughout the application process and beyond so we will not use artificial intelligence to review any of your materials or responses. We look forward to getting to know you.

About The Foraker Group: The Foraker Group is a 501(c)(3) organization with the core purpose of strengthening nonprofits. Our deep commitment to advancing dedicated, skilled, and compassionate professionals and volunteers to serve Alaska’s nonprofit and tribal organizations is guided by the Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model. Foraker offers Alaska nonprofits and Tribes the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to thrive.

Our values and theory of change articulate the way we work with organizations, leaders, and the sector to achieve our goals. They ensure that we provide excellence in our programs and services while we strive to achieve new goals.  These values are Sustainability – Strategic – Collaborative – Urban/Rural/Native/Non-Native. The last value reflects our commitment to serving all Alaska’s people and communities.

We are committed to providing mission-centered, creative, high-quality, and cost-effective services to all regions of Alaska. We engage a highly professional cadre of professionals with years of experience to work with the sector through our core program areas – shared services, consulting, educational opportunities, public policy, and fiscal sponsorship.

Our long-term goal is to lead innovative systems change to strengthen Alaska nonprofits' ability to improve our communities significantly. To achieve this goal, the Foraker Group will act as a leader, catalyst, convener, innovator, and connector for the Alaska nonprofit sector.

Foraker offers staff and consultants the opportunity to engage in meaningful work to improve our communities. Foraker team members work collaboratively and creatively in a supportive environment.