Human Resource Officer (Hospitality)

Position:                                             Human Resource Officer (Hospitality)

Level:                                                 Senior-level

Location:                                           Masai Mara ( Narok)

Industry:                                            Hospitality

Nationality:                                       Kenyan

Age Group:                                        30 – 45 Years

Salary:                                                KES 80,000 – 100,000 Gross

Job role

On behalf of our client, a leading hospitality provider, we are seeking an experienced Human Resource Officer with a strong focus on HR Operations. The successful candidate will lead and manage all HR functions for safari lodge and camp operations in the Masai Mara. Key responsibilities include ensuring legal compliance, effective workforce planning, high staff engagement, and service excellence, while supporting both local and expatriate employees in a remote hospitality environment.

Academic & Professional Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• IHRM Membership (Practicing Certificate) – Mandatory.
• HR professional certification ( CHRP or equivalent)

Experience

• Minimum 5–8 years HR experience, with at least 3 years in hospitality, tourism, or lodge operations.

Technical Skills

1. HR Operations & Technology

• Proficiency in Human Resource Information Systems.
• Payroll & Benefits Administration: Technical knowledge of Kenyan statutory deductions
• Ability to use Excel  to track key metrics like Time to Hire, Turnover Rates, and Training ROI to report back to hospitality stakeholders.

2. Kenyan Labor Law & Compliance

Operating in Kenya requires a deep technical understanding of local statutes to mitigate legal risks.

• Employment Act 2007: Deep knowledge of Kenya’s employment and labour laws
• Skill in handling disciplinary hearings and grievances in accordance with the law
• Ensuring the lodge meets safety standards, critical for remote locations where medical help is far away.

3. Hospitality-Specific Operational Skills

Working in a safari lodge is different from a corporate office; it requires "Bush Operations" knowledge.

• Technical skill in creating rosters that account for "High Season" surges and "Low Season" maintenance/leave cycles.
• Coordinating staff "ration runs," uniform procurement, and managing staff housing (camp life) standards.
• Designing training modules specifically for luxury hospitality standards (e.g., "The Guest Journey" or "Cultural Sensitivity in the Bush").

Responsibilities & Requirements

1. HR Operations & Administration

• Oversee end-to-end HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, payroll coordination, leave management, and employee records.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of personnel files in compliance with Kenya Employment Act, 2007 and Data Protection Act, 2019.
• Manage staff rosters, headcount planning, and seasonal workforce requirements.
• Coordinate accommodation, staff welfare facilities, and camp-based HR logistics.

2. Recruitment & Workforce Planning

• Manage recruitment for hospitality roles including lodge managers, chefs, F&B staff, guides, housekeeping, maintenance, and support staff.
• Liaise with local community leaders and conservancies for community hiring and local employment quotas.
• Manage expatriate recruitment, work permit coordination, and compliance with Kenya Immigration regulations.
• Control recruitment costs and reduce turnover through effective manpower planning.

3. Employee Relations & Labour Compliance

• Act as the primary point of contact for employee relations, grievance handling, and disciplinary processes.
• Ensure fair application of company policies, CBAs (if applicable), and labour laws.
• Handle disciplinary hearings, terminations, and dispute resolution professionally.
• Represent the company during labour inspections or audits.

4. Performance Management & Productivity

·        Implement performance appraisal systems aligned to hospitality service standards.

·        Support departmental heads in setting KPIs and productivity benchmarks.

·        Identify underperformance issues and recommend corrective actions or training.

5. Training & Development

·        Coordinate training programs on: Hospitality service excellence, Guest experience standards, Health, safety, and hygiene

·        HR compliance and leadership development

·        Identify training needs and support staff career progression.

·        Ensure induction programs for new joiners and seasonal staff.

6. Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Coordination

• Support payroll processing by ensuring accurate attendance, overtime,
  and leave data.
• Manage benefits including medical cover, meals, accommodation, uniforms,
  and statutory deductions (NSSF, NHIF, PAYE).
• Benchmark wages against hospitality industry standards in Kenya.

7. Health, Safety & Staff Welfare

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, 2007 and hospitality safety standards.
• Promote staff wellbeing, mental health, and work-life balance in remote
  locations.
• Coordinate staff medical emergencies and welfare initiatives.
• Support camp risk management and emergency preparedness.

8. Policy Development & HR Reporting

• Develop, review, and enforce HR policies, SOPs, and employee handbook.
• Prepare monthly HR reports covering:
• Headcount and turnover
• Absenteeism and discipline
• Training and performance
• Labour cost analysis
• Provide HR insights to management and board as require

Benefits:                                           As per the company policy

Joining:                                              Immediate