The British Government is proud to be an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value and celebrate differences, promote equality, and challenge discrimination to enhance our organisational capability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
We also promote family-friendly, flexible working opportunities, subject to operational and security needs. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) operates an agile workforce and may require employees to undertake additional duties when necessary.
We are currently inviting applications for the position of Human Resources Officer (Administrative Officer level) at the British High Commission (BHC) in Nairobi. This fixed-term role offers a unique opportunity to support the internal human resources function of a dynamic and globally recognised organisation.
Position: Human Resources Officer (Administrative Officer)
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Number of Vacancies: 1
- Grade: AO (Administrative Officer)
- Working Hours: 36.25 hours per week
- Type of Position: Fixed Term (6 months)
- Salary: KES 199,553.07 (subject to tax and statutory deductions)
- Start Date: 4 August 2025
- Application Deadline: 23 June 2025
- Region: Africa
- Organisation: British High Commission Nairobi
- Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
- Job Subcategory: HR
Main Purpose of the Role
The Human Resources Officer (HRO) will report directly to the Head of HR and provide crucial administrative support for all Country Based Staff (CBS) at the British High Commission. This role encompasses the entire employee lifecycle—from onboarding to exit—and ensures the accurate and timely processing of staff pay and benefits. The HRO will also maintain comprehensive HR records and prepare regular HR-related reports, ensuring compliance with internal and local standards.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
1. Compensation and Benefits
- Medical and Pension Administration
Liaise with service providers to ensure timely and efficient support to CBS. Process medical and WIBA (Work Injury Benefits Act) invoices, seek approvals, and assist with issue resolution. - Payroll Management
Act as the HR point of contact for monthly payroll changes. Compile payroll inputs, collaborate with the Finance team, and ensure all changes are properly documented. Respond to payroll-related queries.
2. Recruitment and Onboarding
- Recruitment Support
Guide Hiring Managers through short-term internal recruitment (Expressions of Interest) and coordinate long-term external recruitment with the Regional HR Hub in Pretoria. - Induction Coordination
Update and upload induction materials on Microsoft Teams. Schedule induction sessions and ensure all security clearances and documentation from new joiners are completed in time.
3. Records and Compliance
- Staff Tracking
Work with the HR Helpdesk to monitor staff arrivals and exits. Support timely updates to the headcount report and CBS contract status in liaison with the Regional HR Hub. - Records Management
Maintain accurate, secure, and up-to-date HR files—both digital and physical. Perform routine file audits to ensure data integrity. - Contract Management
Track the expiration of various contract types. Ensure timely renewals and updates are made in accordance with HR policies. - Reporting
Compile and distribute monthly staff reports including current staffing lists and bi-monthly headcount updates. Assist in updating CBS budget allocations.
4. Administrative and Operational Support
- Invoice Processing
Handle the timely processing of invoices for HR-related expenses, legal services, awards, and staff training. - Employee Communication
Act as a central point of contact for CBS HR inquiries. Communicate HR policies and procedural updates clearly and in a timely manner. - Offboarding and Exit Processes
Coordinate staff offboarding to ensure accurate and timely updates to HR records and final settlements. - Committee Participation
Provide secretarial and logistical support to HR-linked committees, including:- Medical Committee
- Pension Committee
- People Committee
- Health and Safety Committee
- BHC Awards Committee
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
- Active membership in the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM)
- Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years in a human resources role
- Hands-on experience in payroll, benefits administration, and employee relations
- Skills:
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail and organisational skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive HR information
- Knowledge of Kenyan employment laws
- Analytical skills for interpreting HR data and generating actionable insights
Core Behaviours Required
Candidates must demonstrate the following behaviours as part of the application and selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
Additional Information
- Please complete your application in full. The information provided will be used in screening, and incomplete applications may not be considered.
- Kindly ensure all information is accurate before submission, as changes cannot be made post-submission.
- No payments or fees are required at any stage of the recruitment process.
- Applicants must already have the right to live and work in Kenya. We cannot sponsor work permits.
- Staff not liable for local tax may have their salaries adjusted accordingly.
- Appointment is subject to reference checks and security clearance.
- Shortlisted candidates may be placed on a reserve list for 6 months for consideration in case of similar future vacancies.
- Only applications submitted through the official tal.net platform will be considered. Beware of third-party sites; the British Government will not accept applications via any other platform.
For more detailed information on success profiles and behaviours, visit the UK Government’s Success Profiles Guide.
How to Apply
If you are a proactive and detail-oriented HR professional looking for your next challenge in a respected and diverse international organisation, we encourage you to apply now through our official application portal.
