Officer, Payroll and Benefits

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has had a consistent presence in Afghanistan since 1990 to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in its organizational development, auxiliary role and outreach, humanitarian diplomacy, partnership development, humanitarian response operations, and longer-term programming. A core part of IFRC’s mission is to coordinate and support the work of member National Societies, driving the transformations that are essential for the IFRC network to fulfil full potential as a global humanitarian actor – engaged, accountable and trusted – and to deliver on an agreed agenda. The IFRC Secretariat as well as engages with the ICRC on Movement Coordination and Cooperation in line with an existing Movement Cooperation Agreement.

In response to massive humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, the IFRC is supporting ARCS in scaling up humanitarian response alongside longer-term programmes. During 2023, the IFRC will support ARCS programming under three pillars: Pillar 1 on addressing immediate humanitarian needs; Pillar 2 on supporting recovery and bridging to development, and; Pillar 3 on strengthening local response capacity.

In view of the scaled-up IFRC support, the capacity of IFRC Country Delegation in Afghanistan is being bolstered. The capacity will enable IFRC to support ARCS with a more rigorous, systemic, and structured coordination, collaboration, and cooperation towards a more efficient and effective implementation of its Strategic Plan 2021-2025. Furthermore, human resources management capacity, including improving aspects of payroll and benefits implementation in Afghanistan, will be enhanced.

Reporting to the Senior HR Officer – and operating under the technical guidance of the Regional Human Resources Business Partner – the Payroll and Benefits Administration Officer is primarily responsible for: (i) Managing all aspects of the payroll and benefits implementation process for all national staff in Afghanistan, and (ii) playing a key role in developing cutting-edge standards in payroll services by providing professional advice and guidance to support continuous improvement of systems and modalities of working

Contribute to all aspects of Payroll Administration:

1. Collect all necessary documentation within set deadlines.
2. Verify eligibility to benefits, in accordance with IFRC rules, guidelines, procedures, and practices.
3. Process payroll-related aspects of all applicable insurances (sickness and accident).
4. Perform calculations of adjustments, as well as indemnities, as required.
5. Contribute to the finalization of the payroll cycle including by engaging with the Finance Department for initiating bank transfers and issuing salary statements.
6. Contribute to the maintenance of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) by collecting and recording information related to new hires, contractual matters, payroll, entitlements as well as benefits.
7. Perform an in-depth analysis of payroll, considering specific situations.
8. Perform quality control on a regular basis to ensure no errors are made.
9. Support the improvement and implementation of procedures related to the management of the monthly payroll cycle to increase awareness of payroll deadlines and improve compliance with such deadlines.
10. Provide support and advice to HR colleagues and employees on the application of IFRC rules, guidelines, procedures, and practices, as pertains to benefits and entitlements.
11. As may be agreed with Finance, assist with the posting of the monthly payroll to the financial system once salaries are paid to ensure the budget codes are updated as per financial requirements.
12. Liaise with the Finance Department on matters related to payroll, as required.
13. Support the enrolment and termination of employees.
14. Coordinate separation processes and respond to queries pertaining to payroll.
15. Support the annual salary review process.
16. Manage the leave administration process, including parental leave and sick leave.
17. Advise employees of options as well as impacts to corresponding benefits.

Report on payroll-related activities:

1. Produce regular and ad hoc reports.
2. Run payroll queries as requested.

Contribute to the improvement of HR Processes and Systems:

1. Contribute to and implement improved processes, aimed at optimising the payroll/HRIS system.
2. Work closely with the Regional HR Unit’s technical support on D365 HR and payroll system-related issues and make recommendations for system improvements.
3. Support the Senior HR Officer in implementing any improvements, as required.
4. Verify system data periodically to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Contribute to Updating Policies, Procedures, Processes and Regulations:

1. Support the development, implementation, and communication of policies, procedures, and processes.
2. Provide advice to other HR colleagues regarding the interpretation and application of the Staff Regulations in relation to payroll and benefits, ensuring the portfolio holders are aware of the most common queries.
3. Report and escalate operational and systems-related issues.

Effective matrix management:

As part of the ‘One IFRC Team’, be available for time-bound interim support to other IFRC Country Delegations, Country Cluster Delegations, Regional Offices or Geneva head office when agreed with line and technical managers.

Required:

- University degree or equivalent qualifying experience in a relevant field 

- Professional HR or payroll qualification or equivalent experience

Required:

- At least 3 years of relevant payroll experience

- Experience working in a multicultural environment

- Experience with the Afghan labour law and social security

- Experience of supporting staff

Preferred:

- At least 3 years of relevant HR experience 

- Understanding of or experience working with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, other international organizations, INGOs and/or development agencies

Required:

- Ability to work in a stressful and demanding environment, under pressure, with time-sensitive deliverables while keeping a consistent, courteous, and positive attitude 

- Proficiency in Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

- Excellent computer skills including Office 365, Teams, and SharePoint 

- Excellent customer service skills 

- Maturity and discretion in handling confidential matters

- Excellent organizational and administration skills

- In-depth knowledge of payroll and benefits administration 

- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills

- Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality 

- Fluently spoken and written English

- Knowledge of Dari and Pashto

Preferred:

- Proficiency in Microsoft D365 or other ERP system 

-  In-depth knowledge of Afghan social security regulations