Position:  HR Associate

Job type: Full-Time – On-site

Location: Eastern Bypass Rd, Ruai – Nairobi, Kenya

About Octavia Carbon

Octavia Carbon is a pioneering Direct Air Capture (DAC) startup committed to addressing the global climate crisis through carbon removal technologies. Our mission is to reverse climate change, using cutting-edge climate tech, in Kenya. As we embark on this transformative journey, we seek a talented Technical Writer to join our team and help shape the narrative of our ground breaking efforts. 

Position overview 

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented HR Associate to join our growing team. This role is designed for an early-career professional who is eager to learn by doing and take on real responsibility from day one.

As an HR Associate, you will work closely with the team across the full employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding to engagement and compliance. You will not only support day-to-day HR operations but also contribute to building and improving systems, solving people-related challenges, and creating structure in a fast-paced environment. This role requires someone who is proactive, organized, and comfortable with ambiguity. You will grow quickly by taking ownership, paying attention to detail, and approaching problems with a practical, can-do mindset.

Key Priority Areas

In this role, your focus will be on:

• Operational Excellence – Ensuring HR processes run smoothly, accurately, and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Process Building & Improvement – Identifying gaps and proactively building or improving HR systems, policies, and workflows
• Employee Experience – Supporting a seamless onboarding experience and maintaining responsive, people-centered HR support
• Data Accuracy & Organization – Maintaining clean, reliable HR data and ensuring strong documentation practices
• Responsiveness & Execution Speed – Acting quickly on tasks, following through reliably, and adapting to changing priorities

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Screen CVs, conduct initial candidate screenings, and coordinate interview logistics
• Execute pre-onboarding tasks and ensure a smooth first-day experience for new hires
• Identify bottlenecks in hiring and onboarding processes and suggest improvements

Benefits Administration

• Support employee enrolment into benefits (insurance, pension, etc.)
• Maintain accurate records and ensure timely updates and follow-ups

Learning & Development

• Assist in identifying skill gaps and researching training resources
• Coordinate internal and external training initiatives
• Track participation and feedback to improve learning programs

Employee Engagement

• Support planning and execution of engagement activities and team events
• Assist in managing employee surveys and compiling insights
• Maintain clear internal communication and identify improvement opportunities

Employee Data Management

• Maintain accurate HRIS records and employee documentation
• Support implementation of data organization and security processes
• Audit data regularly and flag inconsistencies

Internal Relations & Employee Requests

• Process HR requests (leave, documentation, etc.) efficiently
• Respond to employee inquiries on HR policies and procedures
• Escalate sensitive issues appropriately while maintaining confidentiality

Building & Improving HR Systems

• Identify gaps in HR processes and proactively fix them
• Support development of policies, SOPs, and scalable systems
• Help structure HR operations as the company grows

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 1-2 years experience in an HR or a people related role.
• Knowledge of HR principles and practices
• Understanding of employment law fundamentals.
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations (a plus)
• Proven experience using HRIS
• IHRM membership and CHRP completion are added advantages.

Skills and Abilities:

• Sharp attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Highly proactive and solutions-focused, with strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word
• Integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive data
• Passionate about building inclusive and engaging workplaces

Application deadline is Sunday, 26th April 2025. 

Octavia Carbon offers competitive growth opportunities, a route to owning company equity, and a high degree of professional freedom & responsibility and a steep learning curve.

Octavia Carbon is an equal opportunity employer and especially encourages applications from women, and individuals from diverse socioeconomic, religious, and regional backgrounds.