Human Resource Officer

About UWEAL:

UWEAL was established in 1987. UWEAL is an apex woman in business organization with 5.7 million women benefiting from its programmes with presence in 109 districts/chapters. The women are segmented in 14 clusters including Agribusiness, manufacturing, professional/service, textiles, Art and craft, tourism, oil and gas among others. 

Since its establishment, UWEAL has remained a force to reckon with in promoting women's entrepreneurship in Uganda. Rooted in its core pillars of advocacy, capacity building, networking, and Institutional development. UWEAL has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive and prosperous business environment for the last 37 years. Over the past three decades, the organization has played a pivotal role in advocating for women's active participation in business, aiming to create a more equitable and dynamic business landscape in the country. 

Project Overview:

The GROW project (Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises) aims to increase women's income through gender-transformative policies and enhance access to finance and markets for women entrepreneurs. The project supports the implementation of Women Entrepreneurs Platforms (WEPs) across multiple regions, contributing to Uganda's economic development through women’s empowerment.

Position Overview

The HR Officer will be responsible for overseeing all human resource-related activities at UWEAL, with a specific focus on ensuring smooth HR operations for the GROW Project. The position requires managing recruitment, onboarding, staff development, and ensuring compliance with Uganda's labor laws. The HR Officer will be a key player in creating and maintaining an efficient, productive, and inclusive work environment within UWEAL and the GROW Project, ensuring that all staff are motivated and well-supported.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruitment and Staffing: Manage the recruitment and selection process for UWEAL staff, especially those involved in the GROW Project. Ensure that the organization attracts, hires, and retains qualified candidates.
• Employee Relations: Serve as the main point of contact for HR-related queries, resolving issues related to employee relations, conflict management, and performance challenges.
• Onboarding and Orientation: Develop and implement onboarding processes for new hires, ensuring they are well-integrated into the organization and the GROW Project teams.
• Training and Development: Identify training needs and develop capacity-building initiatives to enhance staff skills. Implement training programs focused on both technical skills for the GROW Project and overall professional development.
• Compliance and HR Policy Management: Ensure compliance with Ugandan labor laws and UWEAL’s HR policies, making sure that these policies are consistently applied and adhered to. Update HR policies as necessary to reflect changes in legal requirements or organizational needs.
• Performance Management: Lead the performance appraisal process, providing guidance to managers on assessing and developing their team members. Assist in implementing performance improvement plans where necessary.
• Records Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records, including contracts, leave days, and performance reports. Ensure confidentiality and proper documentation of all HR-related materials.
• Health, Safety, and Welfare: Promote health and safety practices in the workplace, ensuring a conducive working environment for all staff. Support initiatives related to employee welfare, mental health, and work-life balance.

Qualifications and Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional certification in HR management (e.g., CIPD, SHRM) will be an added advantage.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in an HR role, preferably in an NGO or development project setting. Experience with HR management in multi-regional projects will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of Ugandan Labor Laws: Strong understanding of Ugandan employment laws and regulations to ensure organizational compliance.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of local languages from the project regions (Eastern, Central, and Western Uganda) is an asset.
• Organizational Skills: Highly organized with strong attention to detail. Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Problem-solving Skills: Ability to handle HR-related challenges with diplomacy, professionalism, and practical solutions.

Reporting

The post holder reports to the Chief Executive Officer. 

Working Hours

This is a full-time position [working 40 Hours per week] during normal office hours with occasional evening/weekend working and the option to work flexibly to be agreed on appointment. The contracted place of work will be UWEAL’s Head Office in Kampala. However, there is the potential for some home/remote working subject to negotiation with the Line Manager.