Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Training
Behavioural Competencies
Languages
Hobbies and Interests
References
Timeline
Generic

JOEL OKOTH SEWE

Kiambu

Summary

Experienced HR generalist with over 10 years of industry experience in INGO, hospitality, and banking industries, developing and implementing people strategies that drive organizational success. Proven ability to lead teams, collaborate with leadership to identify emerging people issues, support organizational change processes, and broker people solutions to create an impact in the organization.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Human Resource Manager

Innovations for Poverty Action
Nairobi, Kenya
04.2022 - Current
  • Collaborate with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, and ensure timely and effective hiring.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of new policies and procedures based on national laws and organizational guidelines.
  • Facilitate employee induction and onboarding, educating new hires in company procedures, induction training, and best practices.
  • Work in partnership with the HR Manager to create, implement, and manage improved HR strategies, services, and programs to support staff.
  • Mediate and take part in conflict resolution on employee issues, using current policies and disciplinary actions.
  • Oversee and manage employee benefit programs, including payroll, leave, GPA/WIBA, medical insurance, and pension plans, while ensuring they remain competitive and respond to employee queries.
  • Deputize the Human Resource Manager, and offer leadership in her absence.
  • Train, coach, mentor, and appraise direct reports and all staff, as appropriate, to optimize their potential.
  • Work with the local and global legal teams on policy issues, compliance concerns, grievances, and employee complaints.
  • Support expats and TCNs staff working from the country office to have the necessary work permits, and ensure visitors have the required visas before they visit the country office, as well as support in other immigration processes.
  • Facilitated and coordinated the implementation of different initiatives to enhance staff engagement in the organization, e.g. Employee wellness sessions, team-building sessions, staff recognition, and staff development.
  • Played a key role in the revision of the IPA Kenya recruitment and selection policy and procedures.
  • Supported management in conducting effective performance development reviews, and in developing improvement plans for career and professional growth and development.

Ag. Human Resource Manager

Innovations for Poverty Action
Nairobi, Kenya
04.2024 - 07.2024
  • Reporting to the Country Director, I was an advisor to the senior management team on the organization’s people agenda.
  • I led the local HR department in developing and implementing HR strategies, and advising line managers on all aspects of the employee lifecycle.
  • Developed and implemented staff development programs to enhance skills related to collaboration, communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making within the organization.
  • Identify legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resource functions, and ensure policies, procedures, and reports comply.
  • Organized team-building exercises to foster trust, collaboration, and a sense of collective ownership within different teams, and across departments.
  • Provide training, support, and advice on performance management and staff development plans, and ensure performance reviews are conducted when required, as per the IPA policy and procedure.
  • Recommended updates to IPA’s compensation and benefits that ensure organizational competitiveness in local talent markets, deliver flexibility and creativity to employees, and are cost-effective for IPA through job evaluation, compensation, and benefits working group.
  • Worked with the Global HR and legal team to resolve employee relations issues, such as employee complaints, and harassment allegations.
  • Applied people function technical and professional knowledge, recognized best practice approaches, and insight to resolve non-standard issues.
  • Managed and advised on discipline and conduct-related issues, up to and including dismissal, by reference to policy, local legislation, and working with legal/ER.
  • Made professional recommendations to resolve specific or localized people function issues, and offered ideas that contributed to the development of wider solutions to broader organizational challenges and problems.
  • Supported in the revision of the induction and onboarding process, in collaboration with all stakeholders, to improve the overall new employee experience.
  • Created and amended company policies, suggested improvements, implemented strategic planning, and improved organizational development.
  • Investigated and managed grievances, disciplinary actions, and employee relations meetings, quickly resolving issues and finding appropriate solutions.

Human Resource Coordinator

Innovations for Poverty Action
Nairobi
04.2021 - 03.2022
  • Co-developed HR strategies for IPA Kenya in conjunction with the Senior HR and Administration Manager, in line with the vision, mission, and values of IPA Global.
  • Ensured payroll was processed accurately and on time every month.
  • Produced regular reports on key employee metrics, and offered data-driven recommendations for improvements and cost-saving initiatives.
  • Actively participated in the review and implementation of the IPA compensation and benefits program, in collaboration with the Senior HR Manager and the Total Rewards Director.
  • Take part in the annual Medical Insurance, GPA, and WIBA service provider evaluation and vendor selection process.
  • Supported in the budgeting and implementation process.

Senior Human Resource Associate

Innovations for Poverty Action
Nairobi
04.2019 - 03.2021
  • Actively participated in the successful implementation of an integrated HR and Payroll system that improved analysis, reporting, payroll processing, and leave management.
  • Developed and successfully implemented a Payroll and HRMIS Standard Operating Procedure that streamlined payroll operations and enhanced the employee self-service experience.
  • Actively participated in recruitment and selection for local hires, as well as new hire orientation, and provided necessary guidance as required.
  • Contributed to the development and implementation of new policies and procedures, including the attachment, internship policies, and the HR service level agreement.
  • Worked in partnership with the HR and Admin Manager to create, implement, and manage improved HR strategies, services, and programs to support staff.
  • Mediate and take part in conflict resolution on employee issues, using current policies and disciplinary actions.

Senior Human Resource Officer

Java House Africa
Nairobi
06.2017 - 04.2019
  • Worked closely with the General Manager and Commissary Leadership team to embed shared leadership values into the organizational culture through training, communication, and role modeling.
  • Developed and introduced new employee initiatives, including the Staff Council at the Commissary, employee wellness sessions, and recognition programs that deepened employee engagement.
  • Actively participated in the recruitment and selection of hires in assigned departments, as well as staff induction, and provided necessary guidance as required.
  • Developed and successfully implemented the company’s Performance Development Plan Policy and Procedure, outlining performance standards, ratings, and performance improvement plans.
  • Assisted the HR Director and Manager in developing a Succession Planning program to evaluate and develop existing talent.
  • Actively participated in job evaluations that led to job grading and the realignment of employee compensation and benefits to attract and retain top talent.
  • Coached managers on supervisory skills to increase communication, clarify expectations, and improve performance.
  • Coordinated cross-functional leadership circles, or working groups, to address specific strategic issues or projects at the Commissary.

Human Resource Assistant

Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited
Nairobi
05.2010 - 06.2016
  • Successfully handled end-to-end recruitment and selection of direct sales staff, from applications to onboarding, reducing the onboarding turnaround time of direct sales staff from eight to three weeks.
  • Ensured successful implementation of My HR Portal/ESS, and enhanced 70% utilization through end-user training and coaching.
  • Carried out induction training for new hires, and annual interview accreditation for line managers.
  • Managed all staff welfare and employee relations matters within assigned clusters, and ensured timely and adequate resolution of disciplinary and grievance issues to promote a harmonious working environment.
  • Contributed to the development and implementation of new policies and procedures based on corporate guidelines for HR guidelines.

Human Resource Assistant

Commercial Bank of Africa Limited
Nairobi
08.2009 - 03.2010
  • Actively participated in recruitment and selection, payroll processing, and benefits management for all contract staff, compiling staff training and development needs, filing, and other administrative duties.

Education

Master of Science - Human Resource Management

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology
Nairobi, Kenya
07-2025

Diploma - Human Resource Management

Kenya Institute of Management
Nairobi, Kenya
09-2014

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology

University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
12-2009

Skills

  • HR strategy development and implementation
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Employee relations and wellness
  • Learning and development
  • Performance management
  • Compensation and benefits management
  • Organization development
  • HR analytics and reporting
  • HR policy formulation and implementation
  • HRIS

Affiliations

Institute of Human Resource Management, full member, No. 010956

Training

  • Humentum: Certificate in Management Skills for NGOs, 05/24
  • ECornell: Employment Laws Around the Globe, 09/23
  • Sycamore Solutions Ltd: Taxation for HR and Payroll Administrators, 12/19
  • Millennium Management Consultants: Occupational Safety and Health, 11/19

Behavioural Competencies

  • Achieving results
  • Professional Excellence
  • Customer Centricity
  • Creativity
  • Integrity
  • Collaboration

Languages

Swahili
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2

Hobbies and Interests

Reading, playing drums and guitar

References

Available upon request

Timeline

Ag. Human Resource Manager

Innovations for Poverty Action
04.2024 - 07.2024

Associate Human Resource Manager

Innovations for Poverty Action
04.2022 - Current

Human Resource Coordinator

Innovations for Poverty Action
04.2021 - 03.2022

Senior Human Resource Associate

Innovations for Poverty Action
04.2019 - 03.2021

Senior Human Resource Officer

Java House Africa
06.2017 - 04.2019

Human Resource Assistant

Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited
05.2010 - 06.2016

Human Resource Assistant

Commercial Bank of Africa Limited
08.2009 - 03.2010

Master of Science - Human Resource Management

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology

Diploma - Human Resource Management

Kenya Institute of Management

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology

University of Nairobi

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JOEL OKOTH SEWE