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 staff members who are committed to the mission of fighting hunger worldwide. WFP is recognized for its efforts and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts globally. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply, and is dedicated to creating a work environment that reflects the communities it serves. WFP's vision for its workforce is to build diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing teams that operate in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by the organization's core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. To learn more about WFP, visit their official website and follow them on various social media platforms for updates and news.

Job Overview:
The Human Resources Officer position at WFP Malawi is crucial for advancing the organization's strategic goals, particularly in alignment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The role involves delivering professional, client-focused HR services and partnering with managers to implement HR solutions that align with WFP's corporate priorities. The officer will work under the supervision of the Head of Human Resources and collaborate with the country office leadership and HR team. This position is designed to enhance workforce planning, talent acquisition, and employee support, ensuring that WFP can effectively respond to the needs of the communities it serves. The officer will also be responsible for overseeing HR operations, managing staff separation processes, conducting HR data analysis, and contributing to the continuous improvement of HR processes. This role is integral to fostering a supportive and efficient HR environment that enables WFP to achieve its mission of fighting hunger and supporting vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Resources Officer will have a range of key accountabilities, including leading HR operations related to benefits and entitlements, contracting, and social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security within the country office. The officer will support workforce planning and organizational design processes, actively contributing to workforce reviews and succession planning. Additionally, the officer will oversee talent acquisition and deployment for both national and international staff, ensuring compliance with WFP policies while building a diverse talent pipeline. The role includes managing staff separation processes, which involves calculating and processing benefits, addressing social security and pension-related queries, and providing employee support measures to ensure fairness and transparency. The officer will conduct HR data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making and process improvements, collate and analyze data for accurate reporting, and provide responsive HR support to managers and staff. Furthermore, the officer will guide and supervise junior HR colleagues, fostering their capacity development and enhancing team effectiveness.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Human Resources Officer position must possess a strong understanding of HR best practices, techniques, and processes, along with a basic theoretical background in human resources. The role requires the ability to support junior and less experienced team members, as well as basic analytical skills to compile, maintain, and analyze data, prepare reports, and draw initial conclusions. Good communication skills are essential for effectively conveying information and collaborating with a diverse range of individuals. Familiarity with UN/WFP specific processes and systems is advantageous, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to WFP's values and mission.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is an advanced university degree in Human Resource Management, Public or Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates with a first university degree and additional years of relevant work experience or training/courses may also be considered. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of human resources in an international humanitarian context.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of post-graduate professional experience in Human Resources, particularly with an interest in international humanitarian development. This experience should encompass various aspects of the employment life cycle, including recruitment, training support, performance management, and policy implementation within a country office environment. The ability to respond to standard and ad-hoc HR inquiries and provide coaching or training to new staff members is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a proficiency level of C. Additionally, candidates should be fluent in the local language of the duty station if it differs from English. This language proficiency is crucial for effective communication within the organization and with the communities served by WFP.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role within the WFP Malawi country office, and it is essential for candidates to be aware that WFP does not charge any fees during the application or recruitment process. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through WFP's online recruiting system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process. WFP emphasizes an inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.