About the job

Human Resources Manager

Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (with occasional domestic travel)

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Director of Corporate Services

Supervises: HR Generalists, Recruitment Officers, Payroll & Benefits Specialists

Role Purpose

The Human Resources Manager will serve as a strategic business partner and the organizational custodian of our people-first culture. This is a comprehensive leadership role requiring deep expertise across all facets of human resources.

The successful candidate will lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of HR strategies that attract, develop, and retain top-tier national and expatriate talent. Crucially, you will ensure our workplace operates with a high level of compliance, safety, and cultural intelligence, driving the organization’s mission forward as a premier employer of choice in Papua New Guinea.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic HR Leadership & Culture

• Business Partnership: Align HR strategies with the overall corporate business plan, advising executive leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and change management.

• Cultural Guardianship: Cultivate a high-performance workplace culture that respects PNG’s rich cultural diversity while promoting professional excellence, equity, and inclusion.

• Community & Stakeholder Relations: Act as a key liaison with external bodies, including local communities, landowner groups (where applicable), and the Papua New Guinea Human Resource Institute (PNGHRI).

2. Talent Acquisition & Localization (Nationalization)

• End-to-End Recruitment: Oversee the sourcing and selection process for executive, professional, and operational roles.

• Localization Strategy: Design, execute, and monitor robust succession plans and localization programs to transition key technical or expatriate roles to highly skilled PNG nationals, meeting or exceeding national regulatory expectations.

• Expatriate Management: Supervise the mobilization, visa, and work permit processing (through ICA and the Department of Labour & Industrial Relations) for international hires, ensuring a seamless onboarding transition.

3. Employee Relations & Legal Compliance

• Regulatory Alignment: Maintain absolute compliance with the PNG Employment Act (1978), Minimum Wages Board decisions, and other national labor laws.

• Dispute Resolution: Manage complex employee relations issues, grievances, and disciplinary processes with high empathy, balancing professional policies with cultural awareness (such as navigating the sensitivities of the Wantok system).

• Union & Industrial Relations: Manage relationships and negotiate constructively with employee representatives or trade unions where applicable to ensure industrial harmony.

4. Learning & Development (L&D)

• Skills Development: Perform training needs analyses and design modern learning programs to address skill gaps and foster leadership capabilities.

• National Training Compliance: Ensure the organization complies with the National Training Council (NTC) guidelines and qualifies for relevant training levies or rebates.

5. Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Oversight

• Market Competitiveness: Regularly review and benchmark salary bands, benefits (such as housing allowances, medical insurance, and school fee assistance), and incentive programs to maintain a competitive edge.

• Superannuation & Taxes: Oversee timely and compliant superannuation contributions (e.g., to NASFUND or Nambawan Super) and IRC salary tax compliance.

Key Competencies & Profile

• Strategic Vision: Ability to translate corporate goals into actionable, multi-year HR initiatives.

• PNG Labor Law Expertise: Deep working knowledge of the PNG Employment Act, OHS regulations, and work permit processes.

• Cultural Agility: Exceptional emotional intelligence to manage diverse teams, balance local cultural norms, and lead fair conflict resolution.

• HR Tech Literacy: Familiarity with modern HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and payroll platforms.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree or MBA is highly regarded.

• Professional Membership: Active, professional-level membership with the Papua New Guinea Human Resource Institute (PNGHRI) is highly desirable.

• Experience:

• A minimum of 8–10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 4 years in a senior HR management or lead generalist role.

• Proven experience working in a prestigious corporate environment, major multinational, or highly regarded national organization in PNG.

• Demonstrated experience managing both local PNG national workforces and expatriate personnel.

Join us at Easy Skill

Easy Skill is changing the way we work. We supercharge teams around the world and transform people into a competitive advantage. With the right people power, anything is possible. We align technical project needs with the world's best talent. We've completed over 584 assignments to date and counting. We connect the right people, skills, and knowledge with the right projects to shape a better future. Joining the Easy Skill crew is signing up for the adventure of a lifetime. We help our candidates realize their career ambitions and transcend borders. We serve global leaders across a variety of industries such as mining, energy, construction, oil and gas, industrial, and defense sectors. We’re looking for our next #perfectmatch to build a brighter future. Are you ready?