HR & Operations Officer - JSI Research & Training Institute

John Snow Inc. is a leader in improving the health of individuals and communities by providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs worldwide. JSI has implemented projects in 104 countries, and currently operates from eight U.S. and 81 international offices for the past 30 years.

Job Description

• Job Title: Human Resources (HR) and Operations Officer
• Job Location: Tamale Ghana,
• Purpose: To support nutrition activities in 17 priority districts in Northern Ghana as needed.
• Closing Date: June 12, 2020
• Position Category: Local hire, paid in country
• Salary commensurate with experience.

Project Description

USAID Advancing Nutrition is USAID’s flagship multi-sectoral nutrition project, led by the JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), and a diverse group of experienced partners. Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners. The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change, and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity and advance development.

From 2020 – 2022, USAID Advancing Nutrition will provide technical support and assessment services to advance the Government of Ghana’s efforts to improve equitable delivery of quality services that promote household resilience and early childhood growth and development. Technical services provided through USAID Advancing Nutrition will strengthen national and local government planning in Northern Ghana and stimulate the development of multisectoral solutions most pressing food security and nutrition problems. The portfolio will encompass activities funded by USAID/Washington as well as the USAID Mission to Ghana.

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTING

The HR and Operations Officer will report to the Finance & Operations Manager. [b]This position is based in Tamale.
The ideal candidate will have a university degree at three (3) or more years of experience working in HR, procurement, or other operations position.

Job Summary

The Human Resources (HR) and Operations Officer will manage the day-to-day human resources duties including recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and performance management. They will also support (and sometimes lead) the procurement of goods and services including event venues, local consultants, office supplies, and other goods and services necessary for project implementation. The HR & Operations Officer will also support logistics for project events, trainings, and meetings, and will oversee the day to day duties of local and international travel.

The ideal candidate will have a university degree at three (3) or more years of experience working in HR, procurement, or other operations position.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Ensure USAID Advancing Nutrition adheres to the JSI Local Hire Employment (LHEM) and that all personnel information is kept and documented in accordance with LHEM;
• Lead and oversee recruitment, onboarding, and orientation with oversight from the Finance & Operations Manager.
• Coordinate with other JSI/Ghana projects to ensure fair and equitable procurement and implementation of benefits and welfare administration, employee relations, and JSI/ Ghana branch policies and procedures.
• Oversee the Annual Performance Review process, including any applicable performance improvement plans, and any necessary support to supervisors/managers.
• Assist the F&O Manager and technical leads, to identify and initiate new recruitments, including developing job descriptions, advertising, shortlisting, and interviewing for vacant project positions.
• Collaborate with the F&O Manager and technical leads to implement and oversee orientation for new staff members.
• Assist the F&O Manager and other senior management to HR policies/procedures are implemented properly and consistently, in accordance with the LHEM.

Procurement

• Manage and monitor the project’s procurement processes, including but not limited to verification of technical specifications, preparation of procurement documentation, responding to written inquiries and clarifications, procurement evaluation and notification, and contract preparation.
• Act as a resource person to all project staff for procurement related inquiries, and provide regular training to staff to ensure awareness with JSI Management Accountability Framework.
• Update vendor lists for common procurements (preferred vendors, pharmaceuticals, etc.) and streamline vendor-preferred procurements, as applicable.
• Ensure all project procurement files are up to date and audit-ready all the times, in accordance with the Operations Manual.
• Liaise with the JSI home office staff on procurement related activities in accordance policy and procedures.
• Maintain procurement plan.

Administration (some tasks may be adjusted as additional staff come onboard)

• Provide administrative and logistics support to project events, trainings, and workshops.
• Manage USAID Advancing Nutrition office space and staff comfortability.
• Maintain inventory of project non-expendable equipment, including tagging, tracking, and assessing condition of equipment and furniture for USAID required reports.
• Ensure that administrative files for the office are maintained in a consistent and orderly manner.
• Coordinate travel requirements for staff and consultants, including hotel accommodations and conference booking.
• Ensure that project equipment are maintained and properly functioning
• Maintain vendor files.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by Finance and Operations Manager.

Required Skills or Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University degree in business and/or project management.

Experience:

• Working knowledge of HR principles, local labor laws, and benefit administration in the Republic of Ghana;
• Minimum of 3 years’ combined demonstrated experience in a procurement, HR, and/or operational related position for international development projects in the Republic of Ghana, preference for USAID experience;
• Ability to show be discreet and maintain confidential information;
• Dynamic team player with strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.

Computer Skills: Proficiency in MS Office suite.

Language Skills: Written and verbal fluency in English.