HR Officer at Mercy Corps

Locations: Damaturu, Potiskum - Yobe
Employment Type: Full-time

Program / Department Summary

• The Human Resource Department is responsible for providing effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps Nigeria.
• This includes but is not limited to: Talent Acquisition & Development; employee engagement coordination; country wide training & learning management; compensation & benefits administration; performance management oversight; disciplinary & grievance handling; staff data management; staff disengagement management and 3rd party service provision management (HMO, Group Life, etc)

General Position Summary

• The HR Officer will work alongside members of the HR Department will be responsible for ensuring adherence of HR policies and procedures, recruitment is according to Recruiting Guidelines as well championing national hiring and national & expatriate onboarding process.
• S/he will also work with the HR Manager and HR team to support the Human Resource function across MCN including employee engagement & management, performance management, employee welfare and HR project management in Damaturu Mercy Corp offices.
• S/he will work with the Damaturu team to support office morale, team-building and foster a positive organizational culture

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy:

• Support the HR Manager in successful implementation, adherence, and common understanding of National Staff Handbook and other HR Policies in all MC-N Offices
• Support the HR Manager to ensure that controls are put in place to allow for transparent and unbiased HR Processes and systems
• Work with the HR Manager to build a strong, collaborative and motivated office culture in Yobe state; arranging team training and team-building initiatives

HR Management:

• Execute full lifecycle talent acquisition activities for multiple disciplines and levels positions activities in line with the set recruitment process and applicable staffing plans for Mercy Corps offices in Yobe State
• Provide required training to all HR team members, hiring managers and recruitment stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to Application Tracking System (ATS) for assigned MC offices.
• Support in finalizing negotiations and preparing documentation including remuneration package attached to offers for new hires in accordance with MCN guidelines for assigned MC offices in close coordination with HR Manager or designee.
• Perform all required reference, background, and documentation checks for new hires and discuss results with hiring managers for assigned MC offices.
• Screen, refer and maintain a talent pool of external and internal candidates for additional interviews as applicable for assigned MC offices.
• Ensure effective implementation of onboarding mechanism and all team members receive complete orientation within 15 days of hire in assigned MC offices.
• Ensure pre-hire new hire starter pack is ready and run orientation sessions for all hires in Yobe State. Ensure completion of Mercy Corps Code of Conduct training
• Monitor and ensure completion of all MC Mandatory onboarding and Safeguarding courses with one week of hire and full use of assigned MC offices.
• Provide a broad range of in-person field HR support, including support in performance management, grievance management and team engagement in assigned MC office
• Provide periodic follow-on support to the performance development plans for team members in their Annual Performance Reviews
• Provide back-up/ interim support to Northeastern region as necessary
• Proactively update HR Manager on staff issues & grievances and feedback from assigned MC offices.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Accountability:

• Supervisory Responsibility: N/A
• Reports Directly To: HR Manager
• Works Directly With: HR Manager, HR Officers, Talent Acquisition Officer, All Hiring Managers, Senior Management Team, Mercy Corps operation staff, finance, program team and partner organizations.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in HR Management / Administration or relevant field.
• 2 - 5 years of professional experience in multiple human resource disciplines specifically Recruitment, Selection, Orientation, Onboarding and Talent Management.
• Demonstrated understanding and proven experience in staffing and talent planning in international relief and development environments.
• In-depth knowledge and experience of Nigerian Labor Act, compensation, benefits administration, recruitment, selection, and onboarding
• Proficiency in MS Office, internet searching, and applicant tracking systems and use of social media for sourcing talent.
• Ability to communicate, influence and problem solve effectively across diverse cultures and geographical distances with sensitivity
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in any other Nigerian language will be an added advantage.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills, strong oral and written communications skills and should be an excellent listener. S/ he must have excellent analytical skills, good reasoning abilities, and sound judgment.
• S/he will also be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and will demonstrate a strong understanding of the cultural and social environment that exists both in and out of Nigeria and will have the willingness and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
• S/he will develop and maintain productive professional relationships with a broad spectrum of stakeholders within the organization and throughout the relief and development community.
• S/he will be flexible, resilient and possess the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position will be based in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria but requires little or no travelling to other field locations. Given the nature of the role, working hours require flexibility, and working beyond the official closing hour might be necessary.