People and Culture Officer

About the Position

Cooperation Canada is seeking a motivated and experienced People and Culture Officer to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, the Officer will play a key role in supporting the organization’s human resources functions and a healthy and positive work environment, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance with relevant labor laws and regulations.

The People and Culture Officer oversees payroll processes, HR administration, and organizational initiatives to cultivate a positive workplace environment. Responsibilities include managing bi-weekly payroll, supporting recruitment and onboarding, tracking AEDIJ strategies, and facilitating employee engagement surveys. They coordinate training initiatives, maintain HR systems, and contribute to organizational planning and events. Essential skills include HR expertise, attention to detail, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. This role is instrumental in ensuring efficient HR operations and fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence within the organization.

Responsibilities of the role, which is based in Ottawa, include, but are not limited to:

Payroll – 20%

• Process the bi-weekly payroll, verifying payroll change requests and updates to staff information as directed by Director, Finance & Operations.
• Prepare Records of Employment (ROE), and other government legislated documentation as required.
• Prepare and complete year-end processing including reconciliation, filing and preparation of T4s
• Set up and provide instruction to staff regarding online paystub portal (Wagepoint) and responding to payroll inquiries in a timely manner.
• Support Finance Officer with termination payment and retro payment calculations, and application of annual and ad-hoc payroll increases.
• Provide the Finance team with payroll information to support MSPP and RRSP administration and payments.
• Work with Finance team in providing necessary payroll information for budgeting and financial reporting.
• Work with Finance team in providing support for the annual organizational audit and project audits.

People and Culture Administration Support – 45%

• Support the Cooperation Canada team in recruitment processes, including posting job advertisements, arranging interviews, preparing interview packages and reference checks.
• Supports the onboarding/orientation of new employees, including preparing orientation material, communicating with new hires, and coordinating with other departments as part of the onboarding process.
• Coordinates and tracks progress on the implementation of AEDIJ (Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice) strategy and programs across the organization as they relate to people and culture, and measures the progress based on the targets specified in the strategy.
• Support the team with the development and issuing of standard employment related letters such as confirmation of employment, etc.
• Support the annual deployment of Cooperation Canada annual performance review process and track performance review files, ensuring compliance with performance review deadlines.
• Review the organization’s harassment policy annually, suggest necessary revisions and support team-wide training, as outlined in the policy and under legislation.
• Administer the employee engagement survey, collect the responses, and help analyze the data and preparing the summary report.
• Conduct ad hoc people and culture related research.

Human resource systems and monitoring – 15%

• Coordinate, support implementation and track organization-wide training initiatives, including ensuring accurate training records within the HRIS (BambooHR) and compliance with human resources-related regulations and legislation.
• Maintains and updates HR information available to employees through the HRIS and other systems.
• Maintains the seniority list and other information reports required by the collective agreement.
• Ensures record management and appropriate archiving of human resource information, including converting paper files to electronic format.

Organizational resilience, support and planning – 20%

• Promotes and maintains an organizational culture that advances gender equality, AEDIJ, reduces power abuse and inequalities, is inclusive, and fosters trust and safety.
• Provide administrative support to organization-wide priorities and initiatives that fall within the Finance and Operations team.
• Supports annual and quarterly planning processes, and development of annual team retreats, professional development, and teambuilding.
• Participates in the implementation of key events of Cooperation Canada (such as the organization’s major bi-annual event for which all staff participate).
• Perform other duties identified as a priority by Management.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Post-secondary degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2 year’s experience in payroll, human resource system administration or a human resource supporting role.
• Demonstrated experience with various HR and payroll systems, including benefits administrator portals, HRIS and payroll administrator portal essential.
• Experience with and understanding of payroll principles, as well as hands-on experience administering payroll through an established payroll system.
• Strong understanding of human resource best practices, employment laws, and collective agreement provisions.
• Functionally bilingual in English and French.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and reprioritize tasks in response to unexpected changes in priorities/requests and effectively manage change in fast paced environment.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational and time management skills with the ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Strong computer skills in spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail and online systems are essential.
• Experience in working in a cross-cultural setting.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is an asset.
• Experience with WagePoint or BambooHR is an asset.
• Working towards CHRP or Canadian Payroll Association certification is an asset.