Human Resources Specialist at Palladium Group

Purpose of Position

Palladium is seeking to employ a Human Resources Specialist with adequate experience in HR management. The HR Specialist will support the attainment of Country Program objectives through the provision of dedicated quality HR services, professional advice, and ensuring HR systems, policies and procedures are developed and implemented in line with organizational vision, mission, and strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will contribute to risk management by advising managers on the interpretation/application of HR policies and procedures whilst ensuring Country Program employment and human resource management practices meet agency and donor standards and are compliant with local labor law.

The Human Resources Specialist will report to the Country Director and work closely with/and supervise the HR & Admin Officer. This is full-time position with a contract for 1 year, renewable subject to availability of funding.

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

HR Compliance, Support and People Management

• Support project leadership in development and implementation of Human Resource strategies and best practice processes aligned with USAID guidelines, Palladium global HR standards and Nigerian labour law.
• Establish an effective approach to employee relations, including staff communications, employee engagement, conflict resolution, and employee recognition and feedback programs.
• Maintain and update employment contracts and files to ensure that they are compliant with Palladium standards and country law.
• Manage employee activities and well-being programs. Represent the organization in forums related to HR management practices, policies, and processes to stay abreast of local labour regulations and industry best practices.
• Support the Country Director to manage disciplinary processes in line with industry best practices.
• Coordinate the staff welfare initiatives and all staff events e.g. staff recognition award, staff team building and meetings, wellness activities and other HR initiatives.
• Provide support and coach line managers to ensure compliance with best practices.
• Support initiatives geared towards achieving compliance with Palladium code of conduct, ethics, and workplace safeguarding.
• Develop the Data.FI Nigeria Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy based on Palladium’s guiding principles and strengthen EDI in the recruitment process.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Confer with management and supervisors to identify personnel needs, job specifications, job duties, qualifications and skills, team fit, and weighted criteria for evaluating candidates for open positions.
• Oversee recruitment process for project staff and consultants, ensuring compliance with donor guidelines, Palladium policies and local labour law whilst recommending improvements.
• Ensures that proper due diligence and reference checks are conducted on prospective hires in line with industry best practice and local law.
• Supports team leads by carrying out longlist, coordinating and participating in interviews.
• Plan and conduct/coordinate new employee orientation including provision of information about company culture and policies, operational processes, rewards and benefits structure etc.
• Collaborate with HQ PMU to ensure that new hires are fully onboarded on Palladium I.T systems (email and timesheet profiles set-up) and work tools are ready prior to resumption day.
• Maintains an active and organized data bank of applicants for various positions.

Staff Separation and Off-Boarding

• Manage national staff separation process including exit interviews, separation letters, clearance, ensuring policies and procedures as well as local labour laws have been followed.
• Coordinate staff clearance and advice the necessary units, i.e. Finance, I.T and SRMT on next steps.
• Oversee and track payment of separation benefits.

Compensation And Employee Benefits Management

• Regularly review national staff compensation packages to ensure that salaries and benefits are competitive with industry peers.
• Coordinate monthly payroll changes including timesheets, variation reports and interface with finance on related activities.
• Conduct salary negotiations and prepares offers for new hires, ensuring equity across the different teams.
• Provide day-to-day administration of staff benefits and answer queries from staff regarding benefits.
• Ensure that all employees are covered under the appropriate benefits policy and communicate staffing changes to the service providers.

Performance Management

• Work with Supervisors/Managers to ensure that all new staff have set objectives for the probation period, manage due dates and decisions to confirm further employment.
• Manage the full cycle performance review process at project level and ensure that deadlines are met.
• Assist Supervisors/Mangers on the project with managing performance issues.
• Assist Supervisors/Managers with Development Plans for staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Administration or related field.
• A post graduate degree or membership of a HR professional body will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 5-7 years’ progressive practical work experience in Human Resource.
• Experience working with medium to large sized donor funded INGOs. Experience working with USAID funded organizations will be an added advantage.
• In depth knowledge of Nigerian employment practices and labour law.
• Demonstrated success and experience in HR functions, preferably in Nigeria strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully coordinate activities with senior project management staff and proven ability to work successfully on a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to maintain high level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to gain the trust and confidence of colleagues and to handle confidential matters discreetly and have experience in conflict resolution.
• Strong presentation and communications skills, oral and written.
• Proficiency in computer applications include MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Deltek Costpoint will be an added advantage.