Human Resources Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

The HR Officer will help coordinate and support the execution of the Country Program (CP) HR strategy and operational plans in support of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will provide responsive, high-quality service to address HR programs, services and operations needs in all or some of the areas of recruitment, staff development, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, onboarding/orientation, policies, staff care, and employee administration 

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.
• 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 HR Team to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.
• Conduct reference and background checks for new hires and discuss results with the Head of HR.
• Assist in the review, 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.
• Assist the Head of HR to 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-rated feedback.
• Identify training and development opportunities using staff performance and development plans as a standard and work with Unit Heads
• Process employee requests for external trainings while complying with policies and procedures.
• Draft and coordinate employee communications, letters and updates to 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.
• Ensure all HR Audit topics are covered and co-lead the closing of any HR Audit findings.
• In consultation with the Head of Human Resources make decisions on HR issues.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Required Languages - English Language

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
• Strong customer service ethic and abilities
• Sound coordination skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Very good planning, coordinating, and organizing skills
• Able to maintain confidential information
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• 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 supervisio

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), 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

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or other related fields. A master’s degree in administration / human resources and or a professional HR certification will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 3-5 years post graduate experience in Human resource management, preferably in an International Organization and good knowledge of HR best practices and standards.
• Experience with and knowledge of employment laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts, and practices. Good understanding of the local labor law.