HR Officer at The Pharo Foundation

The Pharo Foundation is a privately funded entrepreneurial organization that runs philanthropic programs as well as for-profit social enterprises. The Vision of the Foundation is an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa. The Mission is to achieve the Vision by investing in the human and physical capital of Africa, with an emphasis on job creation. Established in 2011 as a UK based non-profit, the Foundation has already carried out more than 30 projects, primarily in Ethiopia and Somaliland. The key themes for the philanthropic side of the Foundation are education, health, water, and agriculture.  Social enterprises cover all sectors where the Foundation can make an impact financially, create jobs, and add value in a sustainable manner.

Headquartered in London, the Foundation also has an operational HQ in Nairobi and offices in, Addis Ababa, Assosa, and Hargeisa.

As part of its development of social enterprises, the Foundation has acquired 484 Ha of land in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region (“the BGRS Region”) of Ethiopia. The first phase of the development of the commercial Farm on this land is the development of 100 Ha, with a view to developing the remainder over the next 2-3 years.

POSITION SUMMARY

• The HR Officer (HRO) of Pharo Farms (“the Farm”) will be initially based in Asosa Town but will eventually be permanently based at the Farm which is approximately 60km from Asosa in the BGRS Region of Ethiopia;
• The HRO will act as the single point of accountability for all Human Resources related matters at the Farm. The HRO will support the General Manager and line management in making sound Human Resources decisions in the short and long term;
• The role holder will interpret, advise, and counsel line management and employees on the application of Farm HR policies, procedures, and processes and assist resolve employee issues in line with Farm policies and procedures;
• H/She will be deeply passionate about HR, resilient, self-motivated, highly efficient, and have generalist knowledge of various HR functions. The goal will be to provide excellent assistance and support to employees and managers;

REPORTING TO:  General Manager – Pharo Farms, Asosa

FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Head of HR and the Chief Operating Officer   in Nairobi, Kenya;
• The Pharo Foundation Country Representative in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
• Pharo Foundation Finance and Admin Manager in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
• Pharo Farm Management Team;

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Local Labour authorities in the BRGS Region;
• Community leaders around the Farm;
• HR external service providers;

DIRECT REPORTS:

• General Administration staff

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General

• Organize, direct, and coordinate day-to-day HR operations such as vacancy management, on-boarding, leave management, general administration, and other HR transactional workstreams;
• Develop HR policies and procedures and ensure that Farm employees are made aware and comply with these policies and procedures;
• Project management and completion of HR deliverables in consultation with the General Manager and other Farm line managers;
• Provide expert HR guidance as a contributing member of the senior leadership team on the Farm;

Specific

• Expand and strengthen the Farm’s Human Resources hiring plan by recruiting and retaining the best talent possible domestically;
• Identify the training needs of Farm employees and ensure processes are in place to support and encourage the appropriate personal and professional development of staff within the context of the Farm’s objectives;
• Create the Farm’s employee handbook and ensure it is in line with the Foundation’s overall HR policies and the local employment law and regulations are updated on a regular basis.
• Be responsible for Farm employee’s pensions and benefits administration;
• Co-Create job descriptions and advertisements in consultation with the General Manager and hiring managers;
•  Be the custodian of the health, safety, and welfare policies at the Farm.
• Assist line managers to monitor staff performance and attendance;
• Counsel line managers and employees on Ethiopian employment law and the PharoFoundation  policies and procedures;
• Custodian of approved remuneration policies, contracts, working conditions, and in consultation with the General Manager, be accountable for the effective administration and compliance at the Farm;
• Any other duties as and when required by the General Manager;

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Possess an HR postgraduate qualification (minimum requirement) but a Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business Administration or Social Sciences with a bias in HR is preferred) and/or membership of a professional HR association;
• Have at least 3-4 years of Human Resources generalist working experience;
• Knowledge of the agribusiness industry and or local/ international commercial businesses will be an added advantage;
• Good leadership skills with the ability to manage a multiplicity of stakeholders in a matrix organization;
• Very good computer skills with the ability to work using MS Office suite and HR systems;
• Excellent spoken and written English;
• A self-starter, capable of working independently and with the ability to produce high-quality results under pressure;
• Commitment to the capacity building of Farm staff based on mutual respect and a collaborative approach;
• Ability and willingness to travel as required within Ethiopia;

Behavioral COMPETENCIES

• Detail-oriented and a flexible approach to work. High professional and ethical standards;
• Excellent interpersonal, planning, coordinating, and HR project management skills;
• Positive outlook and outgoing personality;
• Structured and process-oriented. Excellent time-management and can balance multiple priorities;
• Motivated to learn and perform and not afraid to ask questions;
• Willing to challenge the status quo and add value by introducing positive change;
• Flexible and comfortable to work in a commercial Farm environment;