United States International University - Africa is located in the Kasarani area, off Thika Road in the suburb of Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. The university is an independent, not-for-profit institution serving 6512 students representing 69 nationalities. It offers 24 degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral level, all of which are accredi...

Job Summary:

The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Legal, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, with a minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience in human resources, including proven experience as an Employee Relations Specialist or similar role. Membership in the Institute of Human Resource Management (CHRP(K)) is required. The candidate must possess strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations, excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information. Experience working in an academic or similar environment will be an added advantage.

Job Purpose:

The selected candidate will report to the Director of Human Resources, and play a critical role in providing end-to-end operational HR support to the university’s academic and non-academic units. The selected candidate will work closely with various stakeholders to develop and implement HR initiatives that align with the university’s strategic objectives, ensuring compliance with relevant labor laws and university policies while fostering a positive work environment.

Key Responsibilities/Tasks/Duties:

HR Consulting:

• Provide HR expertise and guidance to departments, schools, and projects on employee-related matters and facilitate recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and talent development.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with faculty and staff to understand their HR needs and concerns.

HR Operations:

• Manage the administration of HR processes, including recruitment, payroll, benefits, and employee data management.
• Ensure compliance with relevant labour laws and regulations, as well as university policies and procedures.

Employee Engagement and Development:

• In liaison with the Director Human Resources, design and implement initiatives to enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources to develop and deliver training programs to improve employee skills and knowledge.

Employee Relations:

• Act as a primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding ER issues, providing timely guidance and support.
• Address employee concerns, conflicts, and disputes through effective mediation and negotiation techniques, fostering positive outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and legal regulations, conducting investigations and recommending corrective actions as needed.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with university policies, Labour Laws, and other state statutes related to employment.
• Serve as a Member of the Occupational Safety, Health & Environment Committee to ensure compliance and continuous assessment to ensure safety.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources to continuously evaluate the environment to identify potential risks and participate in developing strategies to mitigate them.

Communication:

• Disseminate HR-related communications to employees through various channels (e.g., email, intranet, meetings).
• Work with the DHR and collaborate with university communications teams to develop HR-focused content.

Projects:

• Participate in special projects as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.

Key Relationships

Key Internal Stakeholders

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with all university departments, schools, and administrative units to ensure effective HR service delivery and support the institution’s strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required for the Role:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Legal, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Membership in the Institute of Human Resource Management, CHRP(K).
• Proven work experience as an Employee Relations Specialist or similar role.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in human resources.
• Experience working in an academic or similar environment will be an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in HR software systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• High level of integrity.

Competencies Required for this Role:

• Strong employee relations and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent mediation and negotiation capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proactive, self-driven, and results-oriented approach to work.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in HR information systems and database management.

• Provide HR expertise and guidance to departments, schools, and projects on employee-related matters and facilitate recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and talent development.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with faculty and staff to understand their HR needs and concerns.
• Manage the administration of HR processes, including recruitment, payroll, benefits, and employee data management.
• Ensure compliance with relevant labour laws and regulations, as well as university policies and procedures.
• In liaison with the Director Human Resources, design and implement initiatives to enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources to develop and deliver training programs to improve employee skills and knowledge.
• Act as a primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding ER issues, providing timely guidance and support.
• Address employee concerns, conflicts, and disputes through effective mediation and negotiation techniques, fostering positive outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and legal regulations, conducting investigations and recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, Labour Laws, and other state statutes related to employment.
• Serve as a Member of the Occupational Safety, Health & Environment Committee to ensure compliance and continuous assessment to ensure safety.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources to continuously evaluate the environment to identify potential risks and participate in developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Disseminate HR-related communications to employees through various channels (e.g., email, intranet, meetings).
• Work with the DHR and collaborate with university communications teams to develop HR-focused content.
• Participate in special projects as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.

• Strong employee relations and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent mediation and negotiation capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proactive, self-driven, and results-oriented approach to work.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in HR information systems and database management.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Legal, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Membership in the Institute of Human Resource Management, CHRP(K).
• Proven work experience as an Employee Relations Specialist or similar role.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in human resources.
• Experience working in an academic or similar environment will be an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in HR software systems.