Human Resources Manager at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long-term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management.
• 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; countrywide 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 Human Resources Manager will manage the human resource operations function within the Northwest States in Nigeria. They include the following states: - Borno and Yobe States; under the leadership of HR Director. S/he will assist the HR Director in the achievement of MC program objectives with the facilitation of recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, the management of staff development and compliance in the Human Resources business function.

Essential Job Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the HR Manager include but are not limited to:
Strategy & Vision:

• Implement Mercy Corps HR systems and provide professional advice and coaching to managers, staff, and partners on daily HR issues.
• Collaborate with HR Director to establish annual HR work plan, set priorities, monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and set standards.
• Assist with conducting comprehensive training and professional development needs assessment and analysis and ensure the provision of focused and precise development programs for Mercy Corps staff and partners.

Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding:

• Ensure the recruitment of national staff adheres to the standing Recruiting Guideline and follow government regulations.
• Work with the Talent Acquisition and Management Specialist to ensure all new, national staff receive orientation on Mercy Corps Country systems, policies and procedures.
• Ensure all new hires receive MC ID card, email and all relevant documents upon starting their positions. This includes signing of a Job Description, contract, policies and procedures especially the National Staff Handbook and Security Manual.
• Ensure newly hired national and expatriate team members are informed and have access to global HR & Ethics guidance including MC Essentials, Code of Conduct and Security and all relevant policies and are alerted to benefits. Continue with support and advice on policies, as required.
• Ensure a positive, equitable, and consistent employment experience for team members in all locations.

Human Resource Management:

• Ensure common understanding and compliance of National Staff Handbook and other HR policies in all MC Offices.
• Serve as a link between the HR team and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering HR policies and procedures, and helping to resolve work related problems.
• Timely collaborate with field HR members to ensure a connection, clear communication and synergy of HR initiatives and priorities.
• Ensure HR services follow proper methodology, policy application and are well documented.
• Ensure a positive, equitable, and consistent employment experience for team members
• Ensure update and upkeep of tracking systems for all types of leave for all employees by the HR Team.
• Ensure efficient Performance Management Systems is in place and there is a clear understanding of Performance Management Tools.
• Identify training and development opportunities using staff performance and development plans as a standard and working with Unit Heads.
• Manage relationships with health Insurance providers and advocates on behalf of team members to resolve issues.
• Oversee the clearance of terminated employees, as per MC policies and procedures.
• Ensure all personnel, recruitment, and other HR files are maintained as per defined MC protocols.
• Oversee record keeping through personnel files and/HCM database that adheres to required Mercy Corps data management, donor, and local law regulations.
• Support with providing team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Liaise with program managers to ensure country org charts for programs and operations exist and positions are covered within budgets. Make sure that org charts are updated on a regular basis.
• Maintain confidentiality of all national staff personnel issues including disciplinary procedures and contracts/ pay rates.
• Manage and maintain office/workspaces in such a way that fosters a harmonious work environment that reinforces Mercy Corps’ culture of innovation, influence and impact.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Team Management:

• Ensure prompt and consistent service to Mercy Corps Nigeria team members.
• Encourage the ongoing development of the Human Resources staff.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making

Safeguarding Responsibility:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrate it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

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.
• Promote a safe and inclusive work environment that, regardless of the context, is consistent with Mercy Corps’ culture of care.

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 professionally and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Supervisory Responsibility: HR Officer, HR Assistant
• Reports Directly To: Human Resources Director
• Works Directly With: HR Team, Program Team Leads, Managers and other hiring managers.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or other related academic discipline.
• Requires National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or an exemption.
• Requires at least seven years of experience with seven years of strong, demonstrated management experience in the INGO sector in strategic HR.
• In-depth knowledge of Nigeria employment practices and legal regulations pertaining to payroll and employment
• Highly organized with keen attention to detail and the ability to deal with confidential information in a discrete manner.
• Experience in capacity building and setting frameworks for staff development.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, and advanced knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.
• Proficiency in computer applications including MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of donor regulations including USAID, EU, DFID.
• An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team and in a sensitive environment.