Human Resources Manager at Nyika Vwaza Co-Management Trust

Position Title: Human Resources Manager -Nyika Vwaza Co-Management Trust

Duration:5 year contract
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer(CEO)
Location: Thazima, Nyika National Park, Malawi

BACKGROUND

The Government of Malawi, through the Department of National Parks and Wildife (DNPW), and Peace Parks Foundation have signed a 20-year Co-Management Agreement (CMA) for the sustainable development and management of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Widlife Reserve, forming the Nyika Vwaza Complex, which is an integral component of the MaawiZambia (MAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). These two protected areas colectivey cover over 4,000 km2of and. Under this agreement, a special non-profit and efficient legal entity, the Nyika-Vwaza Co-Management Trust (Trust), is to be established in Malawi. The Trust wil be responsible for managing and developingthe Nyika Vwaza complex. It wil be overseen by a Board of Trustees (Board) appointed by DNPW and Peace Parksin accordance with the CMA provisions and the Trust’s Constitution.

A Park Management Unit (PMU) will be formed within the Trust to impement the Strategic Business Plan (SBP). The PMU will be led by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) appointed by the Board. An HR manager will be recruited to oversee all human resources functions, including hiring, training, and developingstaff; ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations; managing empoyee relations and performance; and fostering a positive and productive work environment. The HR manager wil aso support the CEO and the Board in building an effective organisational structure and cultivating a strong, mission-driven cuture within the Trust.

DNPW is an agency of the Government of Malawi responsible for managing protected areas within and outside the protected areas, as mandated by the National Parks and Wildlife Act (CAP 66.07). Peace Parksis a non-profit conservation organisation specialising in large-scale conservation through the
development of transfrontier conservation areas and the long-term management of key protected areas in partnership with government conservation agencies and local communities.

While the Trust is being estabished and capacitated, DNPW and Peace Parkswil ead the recruitment of the senior management of the PMU. Peace Parkswil also serve as the interim employer for this senior
management team of the PMU. Once the Trust becomes operational, the employment contracts will be
transferred to the Trust.

JOB PURPOSE

The HR Manager will be responsible for overseeing all HR functions and requires a strategic and hands-on approach to ensure effective HR management, compliance with local labour laws, develop a culture of performance and support for the Trust’s goals and objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

HR Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development of a set of values for the Trust and embed these values in the HR policies.
• Develop the Trust HR poicies and practices, with Peace Parks support, in accordance with the following frameworks:
  o National Parks and Wildife Act (2017), Labour Act, Employment Act and other pieces of legislation
  o National Wildlife Policy and other pertinent Policies
  o CMA requirements
  o Integrated General Management Plan for Nyika and Vwaza
  o Strategic Business Plan and other plans approved by the CMA and Trust
• Support the creation of workforce panning and forecasting strategies to align with business needs, Trust growth and affordability.
• Develop a Change Management Plan.
• Contribute to the development of the Trust organizational structure with a view to develop an effective and efficient organization.
• Develop and maintain a salary grid for the Trust based on a national benchmarking.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including job postings, candidate screening, interviews, and onboarding processes.
• Ensure a positive candidate experience and effective integration of new hires.
• Coordinate onboarding programmes for new hires.
• Support the development and implementation of the onboarding process.
• Participate in the development and implementation of an integrity scheme.

Employee Relations

• Address employee concerns and grievances in a timely and professional manner.
• Support conflict resolution and mediation efforts, and termination processes.
• Ensure that al staff understand how their roles contribute to the Trust’s overall mission.
• Develop with the CEO and manage an outreach plan presenting to staff how the Trust will be developed and its main HR policies.

Performance Management

• Contribute to developing a comprehensive management framework starting from the Trust strategy and feeding into PMU Department and individual staff performance management.
• Define and align individual performance goals with the Trust’s strategic objectives.
• Set up regular performance reviews, feedback mechanisms, and performance improvement plans.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on performance-related issues.
• Establish clear metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all roles within the Trust.
• Implement systems to track and record performance data consistently and accurately.
• Analyze performance data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Participate in designing and implementing a system to recognise and reward high performance.
• Oversee the annual performance review cycle, ensuring timely and effective completion.
• Support and guide managers during the review process to ensure consistency and fairness.
• Develop and implement strategies to address underperformance, including coaching, additional training, and, if necessary, forma performance improvement plans.

Training & Development

• Map the necessary skills for each position within the Trust.
• Assess staff against this skills map.
• Identify training needs and develop programmes to enhance employee skills and career development.
• Present training sessions related to specific HR-related programmes.
• Monitor progress in terms of skill development.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations.
• Prepare and submit statutory reports.
• Timeous closure and distribution of weekly and monthly reports to all stakeholders.
• Budget management and reporting.
• Maintain and update HR policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Peace Parks Foundation HR team to ensure consistency in HR practices.

Compensation and Benefits

• Coordinate compensation and benefits processes.
• Manage monthly payroll processes in collaboration with the Peace Parks Payroll and HR Team.

HR Information System

• Maintain and update HR records and databases.
• Ensure data integrity and confidentiality.
• Providing support to and resolving queries of internal stakehoders.

HR Administration

• Maintain filing systems of employee records.
• Draft employment contracts and job descriptions.
• Assist Peace Parks Head Office by providing relevant employee information.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of generalist HR experience.
• Preference will be given to Malawian citizens.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in HRIS software, MS Office, payroll tools.
• Knowledge and full understanding of HR functions and best practices; process development and systems application; sound understanding of regulation and compliance; performance management.
• Proven track record in the creation of processes and policies in an organisation.
• Excellent written communication skills for correspondence, reports and HR content.
• Experience in driving changes and conducting HR change projects.
• Meticulous and detail orientated with solid reporting abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Method Of Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter detailing their interest in and suitability for the position and a Curriculum Vitae with full address, telephone number, email address and contact details of at least three contactable references. These should be submitted by 23 August 2024

A competitive salary package will be negotiated based on qualifications and experience.

Applications should be submitted to:

Human Resources.
Email: [email protected]

SHORTLISTED Candidates will be contacted to attend an interview.

Should you not hear from us within two weeks from the closing date, your application was unsuccessful.