Human Resources Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of individuals who are committed to its mission. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees, regardless of race, gender, or background. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to strive for a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. The organization is committed to investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment.

Job Overview:
The Human Resources Officer position at WFP is designed to support the delivery of professional, client-focused HR services. The role involves partnering with managers to implement HR solutions that align with WFP's corporate priorities. The officer will be responsible for managing the recruitment and selection process, which includes drafting job descriptions, posting vacancies, screening candidates, and organizing interviews. Additionally, the officer will coordinate onboarding and induction processes for new staff, maintain accurate employee records, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. The role also includes providing support in the administration of compensation, benefits, and leave management, assisting in the development and implementation of staff training and development programs, and supporting performance management processes. The officer will advise staff and management on HR policies and best practices, fostering a positive working environment and supporting employee engagement initiatives. This position is crucial for ensuring that WFP can effectively deliver its humanitarian assistance and maintain a high-performing workforce.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Resources Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the implementation of HR strategies and initiatives aligned with WFP's overall business strategy.
• Managing the recruitment and selection process, including drafting job descriptions, posting vacancies, screening candidates, and organizing interviews.
• Coordinating onboarding and induction processes for new staff members.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date employee records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Providing support in the administration of compensation, benefits, and leave management.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of staff training and development programs.
• Supporting performance management processes, including probation, appraisal, and feedback cycles.
• Advising staff and management on HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Fostering a positive working environment and supporting employee engagement initiatives. 1
• Completing recruitment and onboarding processes for all planned hires and ensuring compliance with WFP HR policies. 1
• Submitting HR reports and analytics as required and maintaining positive feedback from staff and management on HR support.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in Human Resource Management, Public or Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or a related field. Alternatively, a first university degree with additional years of related work experience or relevant training/courses may be acceptable. Candidates should possess knowledge of HR best practices, techniques, and processes, with a basic understanding of the theoretical background. The ability to support junior team members and basic analytical skills to compile, maintain, and analyze data are also essential. Good communication skills are required to effectively interact with a variety of individuals, and knowledge of UN/WFP specific processes and systems is advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree in Human Resource Management, Public or Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or a related field. A first university degree combined with additional years of relevant work experience or training may also be considered acceptable. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of HR management within an international humanitarian context.

Experience:
Typically, candidates should have one or more years of postgraduate professional experience in Human Resources, particularly with an interest in international humanitarian development. Desired experiences include responding to standard and ad-hoc HR inquiries, providing coaching or training to new staff members, and gaining experience in administrative and systems support across multiple activities in the employment life cycle, including recruitment, interviews, training support, performance management, and policy implementation within a country office environment.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a level C proficiency required. If the duty station's language differs from English, fluency in that language is also necessary. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and reports to the Deputy Country Director. WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment, along with an attractive compensation package. The organization is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted exclusively through WFP's online recruitment system, and candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.