Senior Human Resources & Administration Officer

Hiring: Senior Human Resources & Administration Officer Location: Benin City, Edo State Our client is a premier infrastructure management firm dedicated to the modernization, maintenance, and safe operation of the critical arterial route connecting the Midwest to the Eastern gateway of Nigeria. As a vital link in the Trans-African Highway network, they play a pivotal role in facilitating regional trade, enhancing commuter safety, and driving economic growth across the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. The Head of Human Resources & Administration will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all human capital and administrative functions of the organization. The role is responsible for talent sourcing, recruitment, employee lifecycle management, payroll administration, expatriate management (including visa and immigration processes), employee relations, crisis management, and overall administrative governance. Key Responsibilities: Develop and implement comprehensive HR and administrative strategies aligned with corporate goals and long-term business sustainability. Advise executive management on workforce planning, organizational structure, and talent optimization. Lead HR transformation initiatives, policy development, and process improvement programs. Establish HR metrics, dashboards, and performance indicators for decision making. Design and execute strategic talent acquisition frameworks to attract high quality candidates across all levels. Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes including workforce planning, job design, sourcing, interviews, selection, and onboarding. Build strong employer branding and talent pipelines locally and internationally. Partner with departmental heads to identify manpower needs and succession planning requirements. Manage the full employee lifecycle from onboarding, probation management, confirmation, development, promotion, and exit management. Develop employee engagement, retention, and performance management frameworks. Oversee training and development programs, leadership development, and career progression initiatives. Implement HRIS systems for efficient employee data and lifecycle tracking. Oversee payroll administration ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with statutory requirements. Design and manage compensation, benefits, and reward structures aligned with market benchmarks. Ensure compliance with tax regulations, pensions, statutory deductions, and employee benefits administration. Collaborate with Finance on payroll budgeting, cost optimization, and audit readiness. Lead expatriate management processes including work permits, visas, residency documentation, and immigration compliance. Liaise with immigration authorities, government agencies, and regulatory bodies on expatriate quotas and approvals. Manage expatriate onboarding, relocation, and welfare services. Ensure full compliance with immigration laws and labor regulations. Provide leadership in handling employee grievances, disciplinary procedures, and conflict resolution. Develop crisis response frameworks for employee incidents, workplace disputes, and emergency HR situations. Promote a positive workplace culture, ethics, and employee well-being. Serve as a trusted advisor to management on sensitive HR matters and workforce risk mitigation. Supervise all administrative functions including facilities management, office operations, travel logistics, and general services. Ensure efficient asset management, vendor management, and administrative cost control. Develop administrative policies, SOPs, and compliance frameworks. Oversee health, safety, and workplace environment standards. Develop and enforce HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance procedures. Ensure adherence to labor laws, corporate governance standards, and regulatory requirements. Lead internal and external HR audits and compliance reviews. Maintain confidentiality, data protection, and ethical HR practices. Drive organizational culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Lead change management and workforce restructuring programs where required. Design succession planning and leadership continuity frameworks (critical for long-term institutional stability). Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, Psychology, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA is highly preferred). Minimum of 10–15 years progressive HR and administrative experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role. Relevant professional certifications such as: CIPM (Chartered Institute of Personnel Management), SHRM-SCP / SHRM-CP, HRCI (SPHR/PHR), CIPD (UK) or equivalent recognized HR certification. Strong working knowledge of expatriate quota systems, immigration processes, and regulatory compliance (especially within multinational or regulated environments). Strategic leadership and executive decision-making Strong knowledge of labor laws, immigration regulations, and HR best practices High-level negotiation and stakeholder management skills Crisis management and conflict resolution expertise Advanced payroll and HRIS systems proficiency Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills High integrity, discretion, and professionalism Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Time-to-fill and quality of hire Employee retention and engagement rates Payroll accuracy and compliance levels HR audit and regulatory compliance score Efficiency of expatriate and immigration processing Administrative cost optimization and service efficiency Employee satisfaction and workplace culture index Benefits Highly Competitive