AVU Human Resources Officer Job in Kenya

Terms of Reference

1.0. Introduction

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies.

A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by eight (8) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania Mozambique, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts:

(a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and

(b) Not-for-profit development services.

The, Not-for-profit development services, aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER) Development; AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.

Some of the Not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries.

The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries.

The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 21 African countries.

The project has the following activities:

(1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions;

(2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace and Conflict Resolution;

(3) Gender Mainstreaming

(4) Research and Development;

(5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and

(6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity.

The AfDB funds the implementation of this project in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in 21 countries, as follows: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (8) Anglophone African Countries: Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

To successfully implement these project activities the AVU wishes to engage a Human Resources Officer to undertake all HR activities related to the project and the AVU as a whole. This post will be located in Nairobi, Kenya.

2.0. Scope of Work

• Monitor and ensure the implementation of human resources policies, practices and procedures.
• Implement Human Resources practices and objectives that will provide an employee oriented; high performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity, and standards; goal attainment,
• Lead in the recruitment and ongoing development of a superior workforce at the AVU by overseeing the preparation of job openings, review applications and provide short-lists to substantive offices; participate in the evaluation process.
• Coordinate the implementation of people-related services, policies, and programs through the AVU Rector
• Support the various managers about Human Resources issues related to their departments
• Prepare reports and coordinate special human resources project.
• Provide support on interpretation and application of policies, regulations and rules.
• Review and provide advice on exceptions to policies, regulations and rules.
• Provide advice on mobility and career development to staff
• Provide performance management support to staff and management. Assist managers and staff with understanding and using the performance appraisal system (PAS).
• Advise and counsel staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements.
• Support monitoring and implementation on disciplinary matters in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Support the mediation of conflict, grievance and harassment cases.
• Prepare responses to internal and external audit observations; assist in review of reports by audit/inspection bodies
• Maintain employee files and the HR filing system at AVU
• Ensure that collection of all necessary data from employees is done in a timely manner
• Prepare HR reports as requested by the AVU Management

D: Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelors Degree in a domain related to HR
• A professional qualification in HR is an added advantage
• Minimum of 6 years human resources experience
• Preferable to have experience in two or more of the following areas: human resources management, organizational development/change management, process improvement, compensation and staffing.
• Excellence in a client management model: mobilizing the best people and integrating the tools and processes required to meet the needs of the AVU business
• Business driven with a financial acumen
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills and integrity
• solid team player.
• Ability to design and drive change
• Ability to manage staff in a global, matrixed environment
• Ability to administer performance management systems and safety and recreation programs.
• Meticulous, high levels of care for details and accuracy
• Fluency in English and French is required.

E: Deliverables and Expected Outcomes

• Health and safety of the workforce.
• Development of a superior workforce.
• Development of the Human Resources unit.
• Development of an employee-oriented organizational culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, key employee retention and development, and high performance.
• Accurate staff records.

5.0. Modalities of Work

• This is a full time employment

6.0 Reporting

The officer will work under the coordination of the AVU Rector or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.

7.0 Payment

The salary will be commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate

The African Virtual University (AVU) is an equal opportunity employer

The successful candidate will be appointed for 2 years

Application must include detailed curriculum vitae with a telephone number, an email and residential address, names and contact addresses of three professional references

Applications should be sent to Ms Catherine Wangeci at cwangeci@avu.org with a copy to rector@avu.org

The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya

The closing date for this application is December 10th 2011 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3)