Human Resource Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Agency for International Cooperation) is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries.

In Nigeria, GIZ's portfolio includes among others, a programme to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its regional integration goals. The programme aims to strengthen sector-specific capacities in the areas of Peace and Security, Customs and Trade as weir as Strategic Management and Organizational Development in the ECOWAS Commission.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Human Resource Advisor

VA No: 086
Location: Abuja
Organization: GIZ Nigeria Country Office

Background

• As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world.
• GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
• The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe - from the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector and governments of other countries.
• We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity.
• Our main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The registered offices of GIZ are in Bonn and Eschborn. Our approximately 23,500 employees, almost 70 percent of whom are national personnel, work in a round 120 countries (July 2020)
• GIZ has worked in Nigeria since 1974. From 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently 361 national and 66 international employees, 19 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists and 3 development workers are working in the country (June 2020).

Programme:

• GIZ Offices are the central element of GIZ’s field structure.
• They ensure consistent overall representation of the company and its
  successful positioning as a service provider in the international cooperation market.
• They are headed by a country director.
• The country directors represent GIZ as a whole in the country or countries they service.
• The country director is responsible for shaping the GIZ country portfolio and assuring its quality, and in particular ensures that GIZ activities in all business sectors are coherent.
• The country directors generally have management responsibility for the officers responsible for commissions in the public-benefit TC measures in their area.
• The GIZ Offices provide human resources and commercial support services for programmes and projects in their areas.
• These services must be contracted as set out individually in the respective processes and rules sections.
• Furthermore, the GIZ Offices perform internal audits of the project administrations in the public-benefit sector, and by agreement for International Services projects and offices too.

Responsibilities and Tasks
Responsibilities:

The Human Resource Advisor:

• Is the central contact for management and staff for all HR questions, specifically recruitment and selection, contract issues and professional development measures.
• Is responsible for implementing HR procedures as required, specifically operational and administrative tasks.
• Implements national personnel policies in line with local conditions.
• Acts independently and integrates others who have been assigned HR tasks.
• Advises the Head of unit and/or Country Director on HR policy issues.

Tasks:
The Human Resource Advisor performs the following tasks:

Personnel Recruitment:
The Human Resource Advisor:

• Organises and directs the recruitment process in accordance with GIZ standards.
• Supports Heads of Programmes, Heads of Administrations, and Line Managers on drawing up requirement profiles and formulates appropriate job descriptions in consultation with them.
• Supports internal clients with band allocation for new positions based on the profiles developed and sets benchmark values for appropriate remuneration levels in individual cases.
• Searches for suitable staff in accordance with the requirements for the positions (identifies existing GIZ HR resources in the country and/or region, writes job advertisements and ensures publication in appropriate print and/or online media)
• Evaluates applications received and shortlists candidates on the basis of the requirements or hiring criteria, obtains references, and conducts preliminary discussions
• Organises personnel selection (e.g., Applicant interviews) and advises if necessary, on selection.
• Documents the selection process, archives the documentation and enters the data in existing HRM systems (SAP).

Conditions of Employment and HR Support:
The Human Resource Advisor:

• Ensures contract processing, new staff onboarding and assists on all other HR matters.
• Determines the appropriate contract based on national labour law and the material and formal conditions (limited/unlimited employment contract, internship etc.)
• He / she consults a lawyer specializing in labour law
• Draws up the employment contract on the basis of the standard GIZ contract, local hiring conditions and the contents of the advertisement
• Deals with all other organisational and administrative stages in processing, e.g., Monthly update of entries in
• SAP-HR for national personnel
• Maintains information on hiring conditions for national personnel (remuneration system, salary groups, model job descriptions, labour law etc.), updates this and informs managers
• Staff data entry on SAGE Payroll, in collaboration with the Controlling and Accounts unit
• Coordinates and organizes the health insurance of all National and Regional staff.
• Maintains the personnel files up to date.

HR Instruments and Procedures:

• The Human Resource Advisor coordinates the key HR processes, including HR and competence development, staff evaluation and human resources management (HRM).
• The Human Resource Advisor identifies current issues and problems and formulates appropriate proposals for HR instruments and procedures in accordance with the national personnel policy.

The Human Resource Advisor:

• Is responsible for implementing and complying with GIZ’s national personnel policies and puts in place the corresponding HR instruments and procedures
• Implements HRM for national personnel (e.g., Enters competences, plans availability for assignment, considers staff for vacancies, advises, organises, and implements professional development measures)
• Develops information material for new staff.
• Writes and updates the employment manual with relevant documents on current hiring conditions.
• In this context, he/she consults a lawyer specialising in labour law.
• Develops human resources instruments and procedures (e.g., Staff assessment and development talks, bonus systems, development plans) in consultation with the Head of Unit and assists in their implementation
• Organises the evaluation process (information on schedule for staff assessment and development talks, filing forms, monitoring documentation on qualification requirements and professional development etc.)
• Plans and organises training measures, including induction event for new staff, and advises managers on further training measures
• Manual blacklist sanction check via SAP for new staff.
• Networks with the national personnel help desk at Head Office and the other HR specialists in the region to share experience on good practices.

Other duties / additional tasks:
The Human Resource Advisor:

• Performs other duties and tasks at the request of managemenT.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience

• B.A / M.Sc in Business Administration, University Degree in Law, Economics or Sociology (if possible, with a focus on HR management) or similar area.
• Member of a Human resource professional body (CIPM, CIPD, etc) is an asset.

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years’ professional experience in a comparable position.
• Experience in other international organisations.

Other Knowledge, Additional Competencies:

• Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software (SAP, SAGE), and computer applications (e.g., MS Office,)
• Good knowledge of national labour and social law
• Experience in advising on HR issues
• Impressive track record in a service provider and governance role
• Fluency in French will be an advantage.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality in handling matters.
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed - corresponding measures are agreed with management
• A good team player who is willing to take on responsibility.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.

Application Closing Date
19th November, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Letter of motivation as one document with complete contact details to: recruitment-nigeria@giz.de using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Please include vacancy no. 086 in the mail subject.
• GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race and religion are encouraged to apply.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.