The USAID Uganda Feed the Future Water and Food Systems Activity (FTF WFSA) is a five year activity (2023-2028) that aims to inclusively and equitably improve food and water security in the Kyoga Basin in northeastern Uganda, specifically three watersheds – Lokok, Awoja, and Lokere, by empowering individuals and communities to mitigate and adapt to shocks and stressors in order to improve livelihoods, maintain nutrition and health wellbeing, address drivers of conflict, and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance. This area is home to nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods are at risk due to violent cattle raiding and the effects of climate change (drought and flooding). This part of Uganda also suffers from fragmented markets, chronic underinvestment in public services, and a lack of private sector investment. This Activity is aligned with the Water and Development II (WADI II) scope to access critical technical services in support of the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy, Global Food Security and Strategy Refresh, Agency Climate Strategy, and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience; and is a cornerstone of the USAID Uganda (2022) Country Development Cooperation Strategy Development Objective (DO) 2, Resilient Growth Enhanced. The activity aims therefore aims to achieve results under the following development objectives:

1. Improve water supply and integrated water resource management.
2. Increase equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services for households and schools.
3. Improved agriculture-based livelihoods.
4. Increased consumption of nutritious foods among women and children.
5. Expanded access to financial resources for women, men, youth, indigenous people, and marginalized groups.
6. Improve local capacity to manage shocks and stressors.

FtF WFSA will enhance market systems, strengthen relevant institutions, expand access to climate-resilient services, and—in two of the most vulnerable of the 21 districts covered by the activity—employ “graduation” approaches to assist the ultra-poor. These initiatives will incorporate conflict sensitivity, local leadership, climate change adaptation, and approaches inclusive of women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups.

Role’s Purpose

The Human Resources Officer supports the Senior Human Resources Manager in all activities related to Human Resources according to DAI’s policies and procedures and USAID requirements. S/he supports DAI plays a pivotal role in the facilitation of the recruitment process to quickly and compliantly address staffing needs.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Assist the Senior HR Manager, as needed, with human resources tasks, including staff on-boarding and orientation, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions in compliance with USAID rules and regulations, DAI policies, and local labor laws.
• Enter HR data into Technical & Administrative Information System (TAMIS) and generate required reports. Maintain personnel files in hard copy and into Technical & Administrative Information System (TAMIS) for all long-term and short-term project staff.
• Maintain a database of all employee contracts with dates of contract start, termination and dates and information on starting salary and increases; coordinate and prepare employment agreements for all the Project´s staff.
• Establish and maintain system for personnel files (Moroto, Soroti, and Kotido and Kapchorwa offices).
• Assist in updating personnel and policy manual, review and/or advice on policy change, dissemination and implementation of new policies from HO or management.
• Provide applicants and new hires with information about the job including hours and pay, tasks, responsibilities and working conditions. Support in new employee onboarding and orientation.
• Manage maintenance of all staff timesheets, prepare monthly timesheet report to finance including leaves taken, changes in status, increases or transfers for the payroll.
• Prepare and maintain organizational chart, security warden tree, employees contact list, holiday list, update and distribute them regularly to WFSA staff.
• Perform audit of HR files no less than bi-annually.
• Support, where needed, in all closeout activities duties related to Human Resources throughout the final project closedown.

Recruitment

• In coordination with Hiring Managers, discuss recruitment plan for each position to ensure effectiveness and understanding of positions qualifications and requirements. Implement and enforce a fair, transparent and bias free recruitment process.
• Draft scopes of work and post job advertisements.
• Screen candidates in collaboration with the hiring unit, short-list the ideal candidates; schedule and participate in interviews; inform short-listed candidates for test/interviews and the final result; notify applicants of results of selection process and prepare job offers.
• Conduct required DAI and USAID due diligence, including employment history verification, education verification, checking professional references and suitability of applicants before making the offer.
• Ensure each recruitment effort is compliant with the DAI policies and procedures as well as USAID requirements and Ugandan laws.
• Support and promote gender equity and social inclusion in the recruitment processes to support that FrF WFS Activity team of professionals are diverse and inclusive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resource management or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years work experience in Human Resources, including recruitment, negotiation, employee performance management, and compliance.
• Prior experience working on USAID or other donor-funded projects preferred.
• Knowledge of Uganda Labor Law and/or Legal Regulations on labor preferred.
• Prior experience working in Uganda.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Highly computer literate with advanced e-mail, word processing and spreadsheet management skills
• Professional proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in local languages is preferred.

Skills

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks. Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated exceptional customer relations skills (both internally & externally).
• Possesses training and/or work experience in problem-solving, leadership, and conflict management.
• Excellent communication and personnel management skills and ability to relate to people at all levels of an organization and from different multicultural backgrounds.
• Commitment to values: respect, honesty, leadership, integrity, responsibility;
• Ability to work under pressure.

Reporting

The Human Resources Officer will report to the Senior Human Resources Manager.