Country Programme Payroll Support Officer

Role & Responsibilities

The Country Programme Payroll Support Officer provides oversight and approval of changes to the payroll system for all Medair country programmes. Working closely with country programme payroll specialists/focal points and the GSO Payroll Support Assistant, the Country Programme Payroll Support Officer serves as a critical liaison, ensuring that country programmes’ needs for payroll technical support are met and comply with guidelines. As this is a new role, the responsibility includes developing and implementing a change request process. Serving as the main representative for country programme payroll on organisational change initiatives is a key aspect of this role.

Project Overview

Medair Global Support Office (GSO) provides operational guidance for country programmes, along with both technical and compassionate support for our relief workers. Within our Global Support Office and affiliate offices, we are also responsible for promoting the work of Medair to the world, to raise and manage the funds needed to run our life-saving and sustaining programmes, and to recruit international and GSO staff.

Medair’s GSO Human Resources department aims to advise and support the organisation on key HR functions and ensures quality is safeguarded.

Workplace & Working conditions

This position is a GSO role based in Switzerland with up to 4 weeks per year visits to Medair country programmes. Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, open-ended contract.

Key Activity Areas

Set up and monitoring of systems for payroll change requests

• Establish system for tracking and approving country programme payroll change requests.
• Develop simple and clear guidelines for requesting, documenting, and approving changes to payroll system configuration.
• Serve as the lead country programme payroll representative on change initiatives involving payroll systems, e.g. new ERP implementation.

Manage payroll change requests

• Review and approve payroll change requests to ensure proper supporting documentation is in order.
• Escalate exception requests to Benefits and HR Administration Manager.
• Responsible for recording and maintaining documentation of payroll change requests.
• Remain familiar with Medair’s data protection guidelines and its implications for payroll data confidentiality.
• Liaise with Data Protection Focal Points to assess country programmes’ approach to payroll data confidentiality and advise on any necessary changes to bring into compliance with guidelines.

Technical support

• Serve as liaison between Payroll System Support and country programme payroll focal points to ensure requested changes are technically feasible, meet customer demands and risk standards, and are processed in a timely manner.
• Act as back up for Payroll System Support, develop technical competence in basic areas of technical support (e.g. calculation rule modification, data exports, etc)
• Provide coverage when the Payroll System Support Assistant is unavailable.

Training

• Train new country programme colleagues in payroll change request system, guidelines, appropriate supporting documentation, etc.
• Ensure payroll focal points are kept up to date on process requirements and coach or train where needed.

Innovation

• As this role is responsible for developing and maintaining processes, the holder of this position is expected to engage in continuous process improvement.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor degree in HR, or equivalent. HR Administration, especially payroll.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written). French or Arabic desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years in an equivalent position.
• Experience with, or training in, payroll management.
• Knowledgeable with the Microsoft Office Environment, working experience with an HR information system or payroll system (experience with Cresus will be a plus).
• Motivated by quality collaboration and administration.
• Payroll administration skills desirable.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including cross-cultural communication.
• Flexible to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work within a multicultural team.