Senior Human Resource Officer
About Us
The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations and is seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. Reorganized under the Council of Ministers Regulation No. 530/2023, AHRI is a premier biomedical, clinical trial, and bioequivalence research institution. Over its 50+ years of service, AHRI has operated as a critical hub for technical skill transfer, local pharmaceutical capacity building, and medical training in Ethiopia and across Africa. We are dedicated to delivering impactful research that transforms public health, making our human capital our most vital asset.
About the Job
As the Senior Human Resource Officer at AHRI, you will operate at the intersection of public institutional governance, scientific research support, and modern human resource management. This position ensures that our highly specialized workforce—comprising international collaborators, research scientists, clinical trial specialists, and administrative staff—is supported by robust HR infrastructure. You will manage both permanent civil service tracks and diverse project-based contract staff, balancing strict regulatory compliance with dynamic institutional growth.
Job Summary
The Senior Human Resource Officer is responsible for managing advanced, day-to-day HR functions at AHRI, including specialized talent acquisition, contract management for international/grant-funded projects, employee relations, and performance evaluations. Reporting to the CHRME, you will help align Federal Civil Service Commission strategies with the national civil service reform agenda, Ministry of Health guidelines, and international research partner standards.
Key Responsibilities
1. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
Coordinate end-to-end recruitment pipelines for diverse academic, laboratory, and clinical roles, ensuring absolute transparency and compliance with institutional grading scales.
Assist principal investigators (PIs) and directorates and divisions in drafting specialized, bias-free job descriptions for complex scientific, medical, and project support roles.
Manage onboarding processes to ensure incoming national and international researchers are properly integrated into AHRI’s research culture, biosafety protocols, and ethical standards.
2. Contract Administration & Benefits Management
Oversee the processing and administration of contract staff contracts alongside various short- and long-term project-based grant contracts.
Track contract expiry timelines, renewal cycles, and salary/allowance structures (including home, internet and mobile allowance allocations) across varied institutional scales.
3. Performance Analytics & Development
Conduct and coordinate the institutional performance review cycle, tracking staff progress through probation periods and annual regular evaluations.
Monitor personnel statistics to support institutional metrics, including target metrics such as AHRI’s gender parity goals across research cohorts.
4. Employee Relations & Compliance
Handle labor conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary procedures in strict accordance with Federal Civil Service Commission regulations.
Support internal control processes, HR audits, and the maintenance of securely digitized, highly confidential HR files (HRIS).
Qualifications & Skills
Thorough conceptual understanding of modern HRM best practices within a public research, health sector, or NGO context.
Deep conversance with public servant regulations and civil service reform framework mandates.
Demonstrated ability to navigate the complex dynamics of a project-driven, grant-funded workforce alongside standard institutional operations.
Exceptional attention to detail, file accuracy, and record-keeping principles.
Technical Requirements
HRIS Proficiency: Hands-on operational experience using Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), ERP and other HRM related software skill for tracking personnel profiles and trends.
Data & Office Tools: Advanced capability in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace apps to generate statistical reports and payroll adjustments.
Digital Integration: Ability to quickly adapt to and implement institutional digital shifts, such as virtual learning trackers and digitized personnel files.
