Senior Human Resource Officer

SOS Children’s Villages Kenya (SOS CV Kenya) is a member of the SOS Children's Villages International (CVI) Federation. SOS CV Kenya is a child-focused Non-Governmental Organization established in Kenya in 1973 to provide care and support to children who have lost or are at risk of losing the care of their biological family.  The organization’s vision is “Every child belongs to a family and grows with love, respect, and security” and its programs are driven by the mission of “building families for children in need, helping them shape their own futures and sharing in the development of their communities”. In this regard, the organization works to reduce poverty; increase access to quality education and decent work; reduce inequalities and build strong institutions in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 4,8,10, and 16. This is done through programs that are geared towards addressing the political, economic, health, and socio-cultural root causes of child vulnerability and family separation. The programs focus on Alternative Care, Family Strengthening, Youth Empowerment, Education, Health, Advocacy and Humanitarian Action. SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya implements programmes in five (5) of Kenya’s 47 Counties namely Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Meru. We seek to recruit a suitably qualified person to fill the position of Senior Human Resource Officer 

POSITION: SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER (1) NATIONAL OFFICE

Mission of the position:  Reporting to the Human Resource and Administration Manager, the Senior Human Resource Officer will primarily be responsible for the implementation of the organisation Human Resource and Administration Strategy and contribute to overall achievement of the organisation strategy.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

Contract Management and records:

• 
  
• Managing general human resource administration processes through renewal of contracts, drafting letters for separating staffs, transfers, recommendation, memos, bank letters, certificate of service and appointment letters and statutory bodies letters etc.
  
• Follow up on all contracts that are elapsing and support supervisors to ensure Staff Requisition Forms (SRF) are filled and approved in a timely manner
  
• Prepare contracts for all temporary staff including volunteers, interns, casuals and attaches) ensuring all supporting documents have been availed before contracting.
  
• Ensure all HR documents leaving to the locations are keyed in the register for accountability and recorded upon being returned.
  
• Ensure all staffs files have the required documentations for all new hires and ongoing staff and are up to date as per the checklist
  
• Regularly update the staff information register incorporating the joiners, leavers and transfers
  
• Prepare all committee letters in a timely manner
  
• Ensure accurate filing of all staff related correspondence
  

HR Planning:

• 
  
• Contribute to the HR Strategy of SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya and ensure alignment with the organizational goals and objectives
  
• Support in development and implementation of staff planning, assisting with the new/existing departments to have needed staff with the right competence on time, both at national office and locations.
  
• Devise and implement metrics as and when needed
  
• Advocate for the simplification and development of new human resources polices, support process improvement initiatives and streamlines practices and procedures to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
  

Recruitment/On & Off boarding

• 
  
• Support all aspects of recruitment process: posting and managing job descriptions, researching relevant job boards, screening resumes, liaising with candidates and arranging phone screens and interviews; providing support and guidance to hiring managers throughout the hiring process.
  
• Preparation of interview reports and presentation for review and approval with interview outcome summary.
  
• Facilitate employment verification and background check screenings for applicable candidates.
  
• Provide any improvements in the orientation and on-boarding program and procedures in compliance to SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya policies and procedures and oversee staff exit process in the organization including conducting exit interviews, termination of benefits etc.
  
• Provide excellent customer service via email, phone or in person; answers questions from employees and the public regarding human resources issues and respond to employment verification requests and other requests for information.
  
• Prepare quarterly orientation program for all new staff
  

Building a committed and effective staff team

• 
  
• Undertakes facility visits to support facility heads at project level as per the departmental workplan
  
• Supports in helping facility heads to develop and maintain effective and open channels of communication, to form a cohesive and supportive team
  

Promote good working relationships and positive discipline.

• 
  
• Support and endeavours to uphold the rights and responsibilities of each staff member, as outlined in the SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya Terms and Conditions of Service (Employee Handbook), to promote positive discipline at all levels. This will involve provision of expert advice to Location Program Directors on contents of the terms and conditions of Service (Employee Handbook)
  
• Participate in disciplinary committee hearings as assigned by the HRM. Also support facility heads in resolving conflicts and major employee grievances, which cannot be solved within the relevant facility.
  
• Provide support, understanding and counsel to staff and ensure open communication is always maintained.
  
• Support employee relations with professionalism; support investigations to resolve issues/conflict in the workplace
  
• Act as an impartial mediator in disciplinary procedures and ensure it is administered in an equitable and fair manner and meets all legal and labor regulations and requirements
  
• Maintain an effective negotiation process and harmonious employee/employer relationship
  

 Training and development of all staff.

• 
  
• Support in conducting specialized training programs on key HR areas like, Mission, Vision, Values, Who We are, Our Brand and other key areas of focus for staff knowledge and development
  
• Review the clearance and exit surveys for employees leaving the organization for feedback on improvement and staff development areas.
  
• Where necessary and on identified needs, the SHRO will undertake facility visits to support staff on various HR related issues
  
• Promote SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya performance culture initiative to enhance collaboration across the organization
  

Payroll management/HRIS

• 
  
• In a timely, efficient way, ensure that monthly payroll is processed ensuring completeness and accurate documentation as guided by the policy.
  
• Receive and review all payroll changes by 20th date of each month
  
• Share the analysis report and company total for review before approval for processing on 25th date of each month
  
• File monthly returns by 2nd date of each month (PAYE, SHA, NSSF, NHDF, Pension, Banks and Sacco’s)
  
• Follow up with finance to ensure that all statutory payments have been paid out by the 5th date of each month
  
• Share the EFT with the Finance Officer for processing salaries on or before 26th date of the month
  
• Ensure all reports have been shared with the accountant for reconciliation and to the Finance Manager, Human Resource Manager and the National Director for review and approval
  
• Serve as focal point for HRIS and all integrations, partnering with finance on payroll and ensure all record keeping is up to date and compliant.
  
• Support all SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya benefits administration including preparation and submission of all schedules, onboarding/off boarding of employees from payroll and benefits ensuring all benefit information is up to date and posted in HRIS
  
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR-related vendor contracts/agreements including consultants
  
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all vendors and service providers.
  

 Compliance, Administration & Management

• 
  
• Conduct internal spot check audits to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations; assist with compilation of statistics and material in support of affirmative action and various compliance requirements
  
• Maintain all HR files with ease to navigate physical and electronic files in compliance with document retention policies
  
• Ensure compliance with all labor laws and minimization of legal exposure
  

 Performance Management

• 
  
• Support the performance management process including; creating a plan to manage annual reviews, conduct training on goal -setting, utilize budgets to organize development activities and work one on one with managers and employers
  
• Support in ensuring timely completion of the annual performance evaluation process
  
• Facilitating performance management process through proper documentation tracking and coding of appraisal documents and proper identification of key development areas.
  

 Administrative Support

• 
  
• Support the development of simple but effective Human Resources administrative procedures, in accordance with the policies of the SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya
  
• Support the Human Resources & Administration Manager prepare, review and monitor the annual human resources budget and ensure effective implementation of the National Human Resources and administration strategy.
  
• Implement staff wellbeing programs, including health talks, financial wellness talks, sports day, team buildings etc. in conduction with the facility heads.
  

Benefit Administration

• 
  
• Prepare all provident fund letters regarding benefits and send to the insurer ensuring all supporting documents have been availed
  
• Develop and maintain up to date benefits onboarding materials for new employees
  
• Establish and maintain a positive working relationship with all stakeholders.
  
• Establish and administer employee benefits packages including health insurance & retirement plans
  
• Ensure that all new staff are added into medical cover and adequately supported with information regarding the approved panel
  
• Liaise with the medical insurance fund manager to ensure utilization reports, credit and debit notes have been received on a quarterly basis, reconciled and invoices forwarded for payment.
  

 Quarterly reporting

• 
  
• Support the HR Manager compile quarterly reports ahead of board meetings.
  

Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience.

• 
  
• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Human Resource Management from a recognized institution
  
• A member of Institute of Human Resource Management and in good standing
  
• Must have completed CHRP s
  
• Six (6) years’ experience with at least three (3) years’ experience as a human resources generalist in the NGO sector with experience in payroll management.
  
• Familiarity with Kenya Employment Act and other labor related laws/Acts
  

• 
  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, coupled with the professional credibility required to influence and motivate others to achieve results
  
• Demonstrate high integrity and maintain strict confidentiality
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and ability to use the internet to obtain data and reference materials.
  
• Proven ability to plan, organize and prioritize work, together with the ability to remain calm under pressure often in difficult circumstances and not lose sight of operational priorities.
  
• Competence in numeracy is essential.
  
• Strong IT skills and experience of HR systems (PayMaster, Navision, D365 etc.)
  
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and can deliver results within a short timeline
  
• Confident and proactive in liaising with people at all levels and working as part of a team
  

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

SOS Children’s Villages Kenya takes (Child safeguarding and Asset safeguarding) very seriously it is the Project Officer’s responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with the child safeguarding and Asset safeguarding policies of the Organization. The Project Officer must sign and commit to adhere to the organization’s provisions on Safeguarding which encompasses child and youth safeguarding; asset safeguarding; and adult safeguarding.

Data Protection Policy

At all times, ensure that the personal data of donors, sponsors, SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya beneficiaries and their families, co-workers, suppliers, Board members, contractors and other stakeholders is handled confidentially and by prevailing SOS-Kinderdorf International data protection laws and Kenya’s legal frameworks on Data Protection. 

How to Apply

If you believe your experience, competencies and qualifications match the job and role specifications described; send a Cover Letter & updated CV in PDF with details of 3 traceable referees one of which must be immediate former employer to addressed to the Human Resources Manager to reach us on or before recruitment@soskenya.org22nd March 2026 with the subject heading as ‘ Senior Human Resource Officer’.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

SOS Children’s Villages holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes.  

SOS Children's Villages is an equal opportunity employer and its Recruitment Policy addresses itself to the core values of best practice, diversity and equality.