Head of Human Resources At GIZ Nigeria, Country Office

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Salary: According to GIZ Salary Scale for Band 5
Closing Date: 07 July 2025
Minimum Qualification: Master’s degree in human resources or a related field.

About GIZ

GIZ is a global leader in international cooperation for sustainable development and international education, committed to shaping a future worth living worldwide. With over 50 years of experience, GIZ operates in diverse areas, including economic development, employment promotion, energy, environment, peace, and security. We collaborate with the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries. Our primary commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn, GIZ employs approximately 23,500 staff across 120 countries, with nearly 70% being national personnel (as of July 2020).

In Nigeria, GIZ has been active since 1974 and maintains a country office in Abuja since 2004. Currently, 466 national employees, 63 international employees, 37 regional staff, 4 integrated specialists, and 3 development workers are engaged in the country (as of January 2025).

Project Background: GIZ Country Office

The GIZ Country Office in Nigeria is a central element of GIZ’s field structure, ensuring consistent representation and positioning GIZ as a leading service provider in international cooperation. Led by the Country Director, the office oversees the GIZ country portfolio, ensuring quality and coherence across all business sectors. The Country Director has management responsibility for officers handling public-benefit technical cooperation (TC) measures. The Country Office provides human resources and commercial support services for programs and projects, adhering to GIZ’s processes and rules. Additionally, it conducts internal audits of project administrations in the public-benefit sector and, by agreement, for International Services projects and offices.

Responsibilities

The Head of Human Resources will:

• Advise the Country Director on HR policies and procedures, assuming conceptual and coordination tasks.
• Lead and manage the HR team to ensure efficient and effective delivery of HR services, including overseeing unit structure change processes.
• Ensure compliance with national laws and GIZ Processes and Rules (P+R).
• Review and update compensation and benefit policies to ensure competitiveness and compliance with GIZ principles and market standards.
• Continuously update the employment manual to align with HQ standards and national laws.
• Provide guidance to staff and managers on performance management processes (staff talks).
• Oversee evaluation and classification of job positions.
• Manage HR audit processes, including planning, execution, responding to inquiries, mitigating risks, and implementing recommendations.
• Maintain records and compile statistical reports on personnel data (e.g., hires, transfers, performance appraisals).
• Develop and manage contracts with consultants, service providers, and legal advisors.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on HR-related matters.
• Perform additional duties as requested by management to support the Country Office objectives.

Tasks

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic HR plan.
• Provide strategic HR advice to the Country Director and senior management.
• Lead the HR team to ensure efficient operations.
• Actively contribute to management team meetings.
• Engage with cluster coordinators to ensure alignment.
• Ensure business continuity and oversee knowledge management (e.g., updating forms, templates, and regulations).
• Communicate changes in HR policies and procedures.

HR Operations and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with GIZ Processes and Rules (P+R) and national legislation.
• Maintain accurate data management and personnel records, ensuring data quality.
• Establish standard procedures for digitalized and hardcopy personnel files.
• Provide ad hoc risk and legal reporting to the Country Director.
• Manage payroll software customization and oversee payroll processing.
• Initiate annual tax and social audits, steering the audit process and addressing findings.
• Monitor P+R updates and implement necessary modifications.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
• Advise on project restructuring and handle legal HR-related issues.
• Collaborate with legal advisors to document attestation of formats, guidelines, and forms.
• Initiate consulting contracts for HR-related matters as needed.
• Manage insurance and social security topics.

Leading and Managing the HR Team

• Oversee recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Develop staff capacities and foster a professional team environment.
• Conduct regular high-quality team meetings and follow up on agreements.
• Implement regular jour fixe meetings with HR colleagues.

Visa Team Leadership and Management

• Oversee the Visa team, ensuring efficient and timely processing of visa applications for international staff, with clear KPIs for timelines.
• Maintain meticulous records of work permit expiration dates, proactively notifying staff and management of renewals.
• Develop and update documentation, including manuals and internal knowledge bases (e.g., Ida page), for visa processing procedures.
• Monitor immigration regulations and policy changes, advising the Country Director on impacts and actions.
• Collaborate with external visa consultants for seamless processing.
• Manage complex or sensitive visa cases with discretion and professionalism.
• Implement training, mentorship, and professional development for the Visa team.

Recruitment and Selection

• Oversee the end-to-end recruitment process, including critical position recruitment.
• Implement talent management strategies, including staff talks, Personal Professional Development Plans (PPDP), and career development.

Compensation and Benefits

• Manage compensation and benefits, ensuring competitiveness and compliance.
• Conduct annual market salary surveys and collaborate with other international organizations in Nigeria to assess best practices.
• Oversee payroll processing, benefits administration, and termination-related payments, ensuring compliance with salaries, taxes, social security, and cost-sharing.

Employee Relations and Engagement

• Coordinate with the National and Regional Staff Representative (NRPR).
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Address employee concerns and resolve conflicts promptly.
• Implement employee engagement initiatives on HR-related topics.

HR Metrics, Data, and Contract Management

• Track key HR metrics (e.g., turnover, contract end dates) for evidence-based decision-making.
• Manage contracts with consultants and service providers.

Annual Staff Talk Processes (Performance Management)

• Steer the annual staff talk process.
• Provide training to managers and staff on the process and yearly management themes.
• Analyze staff talk results for performance-related remuneration decisions.

Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including line managers, employees, partner organizations, ministries, and vendors.
• Collaborate with GIZ HQ, HR Hubs, and other country offices to share best practices and ensure consistency.

Training and Development

• Oversee training and development processes to enhance staff capabilities.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources or a related field.
• Membership in a human resource professional body (e.g., CIPM, CIPD) is an asset.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant, highly professional experience with proven team leadership ability.
• Experience working in other international organizations.

Other Knowledge and Competencies

• Strong working knowledge of ICT technologies, including HR-related software (e.g., SAP, SAGE) and computer applications (e.g., MS Office).
• Excellent knowledge of statutory and labor laws.
• Proven experience advising on HR issues.
• Outstanding intercultural experience and understanding.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive matters.
• Willingness to upskill as required, with measures agreed upon with management.
• Ability to drive tasks forward using sound judgment for optimal solutions.
• Strong team player with a willingness to take on responsibility.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your CV and letter of motivation as a single document with complete contact details via email to: [email protected]. Include Vacancy No. 059 in the email subject line.

GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates, regardless of disability, age, sex, ethnicity, race, or religion, are encouraged to apply.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.