HR Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development assistance, CRS operates in more than 100 countries around the world. The organization is dedicated to saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to a collaborative, mission-driven culture that aims to improve the lives of the poor globally. CRS employs a diverse workforce and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's processes and policies reflect a strong commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring a safe environment for all program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers. The organization also emphasizes the importance of adhering to its Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, which are integral to its operations and mission fulfillment.

Job Overview:
The HR Officer will play a crucial role in coordinating and supporting the execution of the Country Program (CP) HR strategy and operational plans. This position is essential for ensuring high-quality programs that serve the poor and vulnerable populations. The HR Officer will provide responsive and high-quality service to address various HR programs, services, and operational needs. Key areas of focus will include recruitment, staff development, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, onboarding/orientation, policies, staff care, and employee administration. The HR Officer will work closely with the HR team and other stakeholders to foster a positive work environment and ensure that HR practices align with organizational objectives. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing HR-related challenges and opportunities within the organization, ensuring that all HR functions are executed effectively and efficiently to support the overall mission of CRS.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The HR Officer will be responsible for coordinating policies related to human resources activities, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, and performance management. This includes processing, verifying, and maintaining documentation related to personnel activities such as staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, and classifications. The HR Officer will interpret and provide guidance to sub-office teams on HR processes, policies, workflow, and work unit priorities. Additionally, the officer will provide employees with information about policies, job descriptions, working conditions, wages, and opportunities for promotion and employee benefits. Planning and conducting new employee orientation with the HR team is also a key responsibility, aimed at fostering a positive attitude toward organizational objectives. The HR Officer will conduct reference and background checks for new hires and discuss results with the Head of HR. Assisting in the review, development, and implementation of new and existing HR policies and procedures is essential. The officer will serve as a link between the HR team and employees, handling questions, interpreting, and administering contracts, and helping to resolve work-related problems. The HR Officer will assist the Head of HR in ensuring that all phases of the performance management system are implemented according to agency guidance, including performance and development planning, coaching, assessment, mentoring, and career planning. Identifying training and development opportunities using staff performance and development plans is also a critical duty. The officer will process employee requests for external training while complying with policies and procedures, draft and coordinate employee communications, and prepare personnel action forms for new hires. Tracking probationary periods, managing the national staff separation process, and ensuring compliance with local labor laws are also part of the responsibilities. The HR Officer will track and generate relevant HR data and metrics to assess organizational effectiveness and ensure all HR audit topics are covered, co-leading the closing of any HR audit findings. The officer will make decisions on HR issues in consultation with the Head of Human Resources and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the HR Officer position should possess a strong set of qualifications that align with the responsibilities of the role. A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A master’s degree in administration or human resources, along with a professional HR certification, will be considered an added advantage. The candidate should have a minimum of 3-5 years of post-graduate experience in human resource management, preferably within an international organization, and should demonstrate a good understanding of HR best practices and standards. Knowledge of employment laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts, and practices is essential, along with a good understanding of local labor laws. Familiarity with payroll management will also be beneficial. The candidate should possess strong relations management abilities, excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. A proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented mindset is crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates applying for the HR Officer position must have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or other related fields. A master’s degree in administration or human resources, as well as a professional HR certification, will be considered advantageous. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage human resources functions and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Experience:
The HR Officer position requires a minimum of 3-5 years of post-graduate experience in human resource management. This experience should preferably be within an international organization, providing the candidate with a solid understanding of HR best practices and standards. The candidate should also have experience with and knowledge of employment laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts, and practices, as well as a good understanding of local labor laws. This level of experience is crucial for effectively navigating the complexities of HR management in a diverse and dynamic environment.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for the HR Officer position is proficiency in English. This is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. While English is the primary language required, any additional language skills may be considered a plus, particularly if they align with the regions in which CRS operates. Candidates who possess multilingual capabilities may have an advantage in fostering relationships and communication in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
The HR Officer position is a full-time role based in Abuja, Nigeria. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel up to 20% of the time as required by the job. The position does not have supervisory responsibilities, but it involves key working relationships with internal stakeholders such as the Head of HR, Senior HR Officer, HR Officers, and Project Leads, as well as external relationships with insurance vendors. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment and the in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS has offices, reflecting its commitment to local hiring and community engagement.