Job Description

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Position Status: Interim, Regular

Risk Level: ☐ Level 3☐ Level 2 ☐ Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disasters, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the ultimate goal of building productive, secure, and just communities. Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls & boys’ empowerment, financial resilience, conflict management, and humanitarian response. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector, and civil society actors.

Department Summary

The Human Resource Department is responsible for providing effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps Nigeria. This includes but is not limited to: Talent Acquisition & Development; employee engagement coordination; country wide training & learning management; compensation & benefits administration; performance management oversight; disciplinary & grievance handling; staff data management; staff disengagement management and 3rd party service provision management (HMO, Group Life, etc)

General Position Summary

The Senior HR Officer will work alongside members of the HR Department and will be responsible for ensuring adherence to HR policies and procedures, recruitment according to Recruiting Guidelines, as well as championing national hiring and national & expatriate onboarding processes. S/he will also work with the Deputy HR Manager and HR team to support the Human Resource function across MCN, including employee engagement & management, performance management, employee welfare, and HR project management. The successful candidate will work with the Maiduguri team to support office morale, team building, and foster a positive organizational culture

Essential Job Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the Deputy HR Manager include, but are not limited to:

STRATEGY & VISION

• Support the HR Lead in the successful implementation, adherence, and common understanding of the National Staff Handbook and other HR Policies in all MCN Offices
• Support the HR Lead to ensure that controls are put in place to allow for transparent and unbiased HR Processes and systems
• Work with the HR Lead to build a strong, collaborative, and motivated office culture in Borno State, arranging team training and team-building initiatives

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Execute full lifecycle talent acquisition activities for all level positions in line with the recruitment process and applicable staffing plans for Mercy Corps Nigeria.
• Provide required training to all HR team members, hiring managers, and recruiting stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to the Application Tracking System (ATS) for assigned MCN offices.
• Ensure effective tracking and monitoring of leave utilization and R&R time off for all Northeast staff where applicable
• Support in finalizing negotiations and preparing documentation, including remuneration packages attached to offers for new hires in accordance with MCN guidelines for assigned MC offices in close coordination with the HR Lead or designee.
• Perform all required references, background, and documentation checks for new hires and discuss results with hiring managers.
• Screen, refer, and maintain a talent pool of external and internal candidates for additional interviews as applicable.
• Ensure effective implementation of the onboarding mechanism and that all team members receive complete orientation.
• Ensure the pre-hire new hire starter pack is ready and run orientation sessions for all hires in Bono State.
• Monitor and ensure completion of all MC Mandatory onboarding, Code of Conduct, and Safeguarding courses.
• Provide a broad range of in-person field HR support, including support in performance management, grievance management, and team engagement.
• Provide periodic follow-on support to the performance development plans for team members in their annual performance reviews.
• Proactively update Deputy HR Manager on staff issues & grievances and feedback.
• Ensure adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in the MC policies and procedure manuals.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Ensure completion of all required eLearning onboarding and safeguarding courses within one week of hire and encourage full use of Talent Development.
• Conduct training needs assessments (TNA) in collaboration with managers. Coordinate training programs based on identified learning and development needs.
• Oversee the design and delivery of internal learning sessions and workshops.
• Coordinate training logistics, including scheduling, materials, participant communication, and training records.
• Track and evaluate the impact of training programs to ensure continuous improvement.
• Facilitate HR orientation for new starters whilst also providing advisory to the coordination of new hires' induction and orientation phase.
• Oversee that all team members’ information is updated on the HRIS, HR trackers, and databases.
• Manage and update the HRIS and departmental trackers (leave tracker, HCM, recruitment tracker, performance and probation tracker, staff contract end dates)

EMPLOYEE WELLBEING AND ENGAGEMENT

• Develop and coordinate employee well-being initiatives that promote work-life balance, mental health, and employee resilience across Mercy Corps offices.
• Work with the HR Lead to organize wellness and engagement activities such as health campaigns, team building events, stress management sessions, recognition programs, and employee support programs.
• Oversee initiatives that improve employee engagement, promote inclusive workplace practices, and strengthen internal communication to impact Mercy Corps Nigeria culture and branding.
• Promote a positive work environment that encourages employee satisfaction and retention.
• Collaborate with management to ensure staff wellbeing is integrated into workplace practices.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in HR Management / Administration or relevant field
• Postgraduate qualification, and membership of a professional HR body with certification will be an added advantage.
• 2 - 5 years of professional experience in multiple human resource disciplines, specifically Training and Development, Employee Engagement, and Talent Management.
• Demonstrated understanding and proven experience in staffing and talent planning in humanitarian and development environments.
• In-depth knowledge and experience of the Nigerian Labor Act
• Proficiency in MS Office, internet searching, and applicant tracking systems, and use of social media for sourcing talent.
• Ability to communicate, influence, and solve problems effectively across diverse cultures and geographical distances with sensitivity
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Hausa will be an added advantage.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: HR Manager, Maiduguri

Works Directly With: HR Team, Program Team, Finance, Managers, and other hiring managers.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Promote a safe and inclusive work environment that, regardless of the context, is consistent with Mercy Corps’ culture of care.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Success Factors

The successful Human Resource Officer will have the ability to multitask, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions. S/he will possess a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial and training capacity.

Throughout the relief and development community. S/he will be flexible, resilient, and possess the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion are a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status, or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ( integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).