Human Resources Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

• The HR Officer closely working with the Head of Human Resources to support the Adamawa & Yobe office, sub offices in Adamawa State and the Northeast Nigeria region to manage, develop and administer policies and programs covering several but not limited to the following: recruitment, wage and salary administration, training, employee relations, and benefits.
• The focus will be supporting the Head of Human Resources to cover a variety of client groups.
• H/She will work closely with the Head of Human Resources to develop plans and strategies to meet organizational requirements and ensure the program policies and practices comply with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally,
• H/She will be responsible for recording and updating the training, motivation, and evaluation of employees to meet CRS Nigeria’s strategic goals and objectives.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate policies regarding human resources activities, such as recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, and performance management.
• Process, verify, and maintain documentation relating to personnel activities such as staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, and Classifications.
• Suggest advertising sources. Assist in writing and recommend placement of job advertisements in various media according to needs.
• Interpret and provide guidance and instruction to sub office teams on HR processes, policies, workflow, and work unit priorities.
• Provide employees with information about policies, job descriptions, working conditions, wages and opportunities for promotion and employee benefits.
• Plan and conduct new employee orientation with the HRA to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.
• Working with the HRA, conduct reference and background checks for new hires and discuss results with HHR.
• Will assist in the review and development and implementation of new and existing HR policies and procedures.
• Serve as a link between the HR team and employees by handling questions, interpreting, and administering contracts, and helping to resolve work related problems.
• When applicable, contract with vendors to provide employee services such as health and life insurance etc.
• Working with the HHR, ensure all phases of the performance management system are implemented according to agency guidance, i.e., performance and development planning, coaching, assessment, mentoring, and career planning, 360 multi rater feedback).
• With the use of the survey monkey tool, responsible for implementing the 360 multi-rater surveys for national staff.
• Identify training and development opportunities using staff performance and development plans as a standard and working with Unit Heads
• Process employee requests for external trainings while complying with policies and procedures.
• Draft and coordinate employee communications, letters and updates to both HQ and sub office staff e.g., appointments, promotions, merit increases etc.
• Prepare personnel action forms for new hires and forward to appropriate finance staff for addition to payroll.
• Provide advice and assistance to staff and management on pay and benefits systems
• Track probationary periods. Remind supervisors about probationary evaluations before completion of probationary service
• Manage national staff separation process including exit interviews, separation letters, clearance, ensuring policies and procedures as well as local labor laws have been followed.
• Track and generate relevant HR data and metrics to access organizational effectiveness
• In the absence of the Human Resources Manager, Act and represent at meetings, forums and networks.
• Ensure all HR Audit topics are covered and co-lead the closing of any HR Audit findings.
• In consultation with the Human Resources Manager will make decisions on HR issues
• Ensure local and international consultants are sourced according to agency guidelines and the database updated as needful.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Required Languages - English is required, Hausa is an added advantage.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilitie

• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound coordination skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrated proactive leadership ability
• Diplomacy, flexibility, and resourcefulness.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse environments and Calmness under pressure
• Respect the importance of confidentiality, as you will be dealing with employees' personal details
• Must possess the ability to build good working relationships with colleagues at all levels
• Must be fair and objective in handling situations related to employee relations
• Good planning, monitoring and organizing skills and experience
• Results-oriented and ability to work with minimum supervision

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, HRIS.
• Supervisory experience would be a plus.
• Must demonstrate a good understanding of contemporary human resource issues and best practices
• Sound knowledge of local labor laws and ability to understand and interpret legislative and policy issues
• Knowledge of payroll management will be an added advantage
• Must be familiar with participatory approach to developing HR Processes and Systems
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.