Human Resources Assistant at the 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 Resources Assistant

Vacancy No. 066
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. Since 2004, GIZ has maintained a country office in the capital city Abuja. Currently, 464 national and regional employees, 66  international employees, 6 integrated experts, and 3 development advisors are working in the country (June 2022).

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.

Job Description

• We are looking to employ an HR assistant with outstanding administrative and communication skills. An HR assistant is expected to be a conceptual thinker with superb organizational and time management skills. 
• You must be reliable and should accurately follow instructions with the ability to multitask and acclimatize to a fast-paced environment.
• To ensure success, HR assistants should display remarkable conflict management and decision-making skills with a solid understanding of employee relationships, staffing management, and payroll and benefits administration. Top candidates will be superb at problem-solving, efficient in scheduling, and precise in the recruitment process.

Responsibilities
The Human Resources Assistant Provides Support In:

• Ensuring that tasks are carried out smoothly within the assigned area of responsibility
• Organising and coordinating all work stages 
• Performing all daily duties in the assigned area of responsibility.
• Support the development and implementation of HR initiatives and systems.

The Human Resources Assistant Performs the Following Tasks:
Personnel Recruitment:

• Assists with recruiting (identifies existing GIZ HR resources in the country and/or region, writes job advertisements and ensures publication in appropriate print and/or online media)
• Assists with shortlisting incoming applications based on requirements or hiring criteria, gets references.
• Assists in organising the selection process (e.g., interviews) 
• Assists with notification of unsuccessful applicants, documents the selection process, archives the documentation, and enters the data in existing HRM systems.

Conditions of Employment and HR Support:

• (In consultation with the Head of Unit) draws up the appropriate contract based on national labour law and the material and formal conditions (limited/unlimited employment contract, internship etc.)
• Assists with all other organisational and administrative processing stages, e.g., monthly update of entries in SAP HR application for national personnel
• In consultation with the Head of Unit, updates information on employment conditions for national personnel (compensation system, salary groups, model job descriptions, labour law etc.)

HR Instruments and Procedures:

• Assists in implementing policies for national personnel
• Is involved in HRM for national personnel
• Assists with formulating and updating a wide range of HR information materials (for new staff or for the employment manual)
• Assists with developing HR procedures and instruments
• Assists in organising the evaluation process (information on schedule for the staff assessment and development talks, filing forms, monitoring documentation on qualification requirements and professional development etc.)
• Assists with training materials (including producing materials or planning rooms for induction events for new staff)
• Supports with retrieving documents and providing support to the unit during internal and external audits
• Supports with payroll administration, as maybe be required by team.
• Implementation of a digitalization plan for the unit. This will include digitalization of staff files and policies.

Other Duties / Additional Tasks:

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

Qualifications

• BA / M.Sc in Business Administration, University Degree in Law or Sociology (if possible, with a focus on HR Management) or comparable degree

Professional Experience:

• At least 3 years’ professional experience in a comparable position.

Other Knowledge, Additional Competences:

• Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software SAP/SAGE, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Fantastic organizational and time management skills.
• Works well under pressure and meets tight deadlines.
• Ability to accurately follow instructions.
• Basic knowledge of national labour and social law
• Effective HR administration and people management skills.
• Knowledge of French is an added advantage
• Strictly confidential handling of all HR issues
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 2

Application Closing Date
22nd July, 2022.