Human Resource Assistant

Youth Impact Labs East Africa; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Part time

Job summary

A leading global humanitarian organization is seeking a Human Resource Assistant in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal. You will provide essential HR support, manage employee records, and coordinate recruitment activities. Ideal candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree and have 1-3 years of HR experience, coupled with strong communication and organizational skills. This role offers a temporary contract with opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 1-3 years related experience in HR.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Experience with recruitment and onboarding processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide generalist HR support to the HR department.
• Maintain employee records and paperwork.
• Conduct the new hire process for employees.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri‑urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Gambella – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible. Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities.

Location

Addis Ababa

Position Status

Temporary

Safeguarding Risk Level

High

General Position Summary

The Human Resource Assistant supports the HR department in executing daily HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, employee records management, benefits administration, staff support, and HR reporting. The role ensures HR processes are handled efficiently, confidentially, and in alignment with organizational policies and labor regulations.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provides generalist human resources support to the Mercy Corps Ethiopia HR Department in Addis Ababa
• Collect and track required employee paperwork
• Maintain employee records, filing and documentation such as recruitment documents, CVs, valid contracts, timesheets, employee data sheets, and performance evaluations as well as ensuring leave records of all staff are properly maintained and updated
• Completes the new hire process for employees; collecting data, and creating new employee files
• Prepare interview agendas and guides for candidate interviews
• Assist in updating employee files; facilitating the documentation processes
• Screen resumes for selected positions to send to hiring managers
• Produce a weekly activity report
• Ensure that records regarding personnel activities and personnel data are kept confidential
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission
• Follow up employee medical insurance reimbursement
• Responsible for the management of staff leave
• Ensure all local admin or legal issues are handled in a smooth way
• Responsible for the smooth running of the Office management
• Answer all incoming telephone calls and direct them to the proper person or department; make telephone calls as requested for staff and use intercom system to transfer calls and announce visitors
• Welcome and receive all visitors, suppliers, etc.
• Manage all internal and external communications (telephone calls, faxes, emails etc)
• Must have a clear understanding on all MC policies and program needs; must be able to help facilitate training to all support staff to ensure the smooth, uninterrupted implementation of all MC programs
• Responsible for maintaining supply of all administration documents and making them available for all MC Ethiopia staff
• Responsible for maintaining all administrative notice boards – keeping them updated, clean and neat in appearance
• Working with Petion office
• Assist MC management in Ethiopia in facilitating the smooth flowing of routine, administrative work of the Mercy Corps office and program support operations
• Perform any other similar tasks that may be reasonably assigned by the line manager

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves

Knowledge And Experience

• Bachelor Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration Management or business-related degree is required
• 1-3 years related experience is required
• Good computer skills (especially Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook)
• Professionalism and self-motivation expected at all times
• Must be confident, self-starter, an independent thinker and have strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; team oriented
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral are required
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, emotional maturity and appropriate flexibility
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to successfully manage multiple tasks
• Flexibility in responding courteously to immediate needs of visitors and callers

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Applications

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically. Only candidates that are short‑listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

Deadline for All Applications

27 January 2026 / 9:00 AM