Job description
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT @ BURN MANUFACTURING
LOCATION: Blantyre
POSITION: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
OVERVIEW
BURN is inviting applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Human Resource Manager, based in Blantyre, Malawi.
The successful candidate will lead the full employee lifecycle, from workforce planning and recruitment to employee relations, compensation, staff development and separation. The role will ensure that all human resource practices comply with Malawian labour laws and the requirements of statutory regulatory authorities.
The HR Manager will also provide strategic advice to senior management, strengthen employee relations, oversee payroll and benefits administration, and ensure effective HR policies, systems and procedures.
JOB TYPE: Full Time
DATE POSTED: Tuesday, 3rd November, 2026
DUTY STATION: Blantyre, Malawi
POSITION: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
JOB SUMMARY
The Human Resource Manager will oversee all human resource functions and ensure that the organisation attracts, develops, manages and retains employees effectively.
The position requires strong knowledge of Malawian employment legislation, statutory compliance, employee relations, payroll administration, performance management and organisational development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic HR Leadership
Partner with senior management to align HR strategy, workforce plans and budgets with business objectives.
Advise leadership on organisational design, restructuring, localisation and succession planning.
Prepare HR reports and analytics covering headcount, staff turnover, absenteeism and labour costs.
Present relevant workforce information and recommendations to management and the Board.
2. Recruitment, Onboarding and Workforce Planning
Manage end-to-end recruitment processes, including job evaluation, advertising, shortlisting, interviews, reference checks and qualification verification.
Issue compliant employment contracts and written particulars of employment.
Coordinate staff induction and probation processes.
Manage expatriate recruitment, including work permit and visa applications.
Support localisation planning and related workforce decisions.
3. Employee Relations and Discipline
Handle employee grievances, disciplinary hearings, suspensions, terminations, redundancies and retrenchments fairly and in accordance with the law.
Maintain constructive relationships with recognised trade unions.
Support collective bargaining and trade union recognition agreements.
Represent the organisation during conciliation proceedings, Ministry of Labour engagements and matters before the Industrial Relations Court, working with legal counsel where necessary.
4. Compensation, Benefits and Payroll
Design and review salary structures, grading systems, allowances and employee benefits in line with the Malawi labour market.
Oversee monthly payroll processing and ensure accurate statutory deductions, remittances and filings.
Administer medical insurance, group life insurance, pension and other employee benefits.
Manage relationships with benefits providers, vendors and brokers.
5. Performance, Learning and Talent Development
Manage the performance management cycle, including goal setting, appraisals, performance improvement plans and calibration.
Plan and budget for employee training in line with the organisation's TEVET levy obligations.
Monitor staff capacity-building activities.
Lead talent development, leadership development and succession planning programmes.
6. Workplace Culture, Wellbeing, Health and Safety
Promote a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace.
Handle matters relating to harassment, gender and disability.
Coordinate employee wellness and HIV and AIDS workplace programmes.
Support occupational health and safety initiatives.
Lead employee engagement and communication activities, including surveys and exit interviews.
7. HR Operations, Policies and Systems
Develop, review and communicate the HR policy manual, staff handbook and related procedures.
Maintain accurate employee records and human resource information systems (HRIS).
Protect employee personal information in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.
Manage the HR budget and relationships with HR service providers.
Supervise, coach and manage the performance of the HR team.
STATUTORY AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
The HR Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the organisation complies with relevant Malawian employment laws and regulatory requirements, including:
1. Employment Act
Ensure employees have written employment contracts and documented employment particulars.
Manage probation periods and working hours, including overtime.
Ensure compliance with annual, sick, maternity and family leave entitlements.
Manage notice periods, termination, severance and redundancy processes.
Prevent forced labour and child labour.
2. Labour Relations Act and Ministry of Labour
Manage trade union recognition and collective bargaining processes.
Handle labour conciliation and employee disputes.
Ensure compliance with strike regulations.
Manage cases referred to the Industrial Relations Court.
3. Minimum Wage Orders
Ensure employee salaries meet or exceed the applicable gazetted minimum wage for each job category.
4. Pension Act 2023 and Reserve Bank of Malawi
Ensure eligible employees are enrolled in a pension scheme.
Deduct and remit the minimum pension contributions stated in the advert: 10% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution of pensionable pay.
Ensure contributions are remitted to a licensed pension administrator by the 14th of the following month.
Maintain employee life insurance cover.
Prevent pension contribution arrears and associated penalties.
5. Taxation Act and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)
Ensure accurate Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions and monthly remittances.
Prepare and submit annual employee tax returns.
Manage Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) compliance.
Maintain employer TPIN registration and relevant tax records.
6. TEVET Act and TEVETA
Ensure payment of the annual skills levy based on the previous year's basic payroll.
Complete and submit the Employer Data Form within the stipulated deadline.
7. Workers' Compensation Act
Ensure employees are insured or covered for work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
Report workplace accidents.
Manage and process workers' compensation claims.
8. Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act
Ensure workplace registration.
Establish and maintain a workplace safety and health committee.
Maintain occupational safety and health records.
Investigate workplace incidents and accidents.
Facilitate and support regulatory inspections.
9. Immigration Law and Department of Immigration
Ensure expatriate employees have valid work permits and visas.
Manage permit and visa renewals.
Maintain evidence of compliance with localisation plans.
10. Data Protection Law
Ensure lawful collection, processing, storage and retention of employee personal data.
Obtain consent where legally required.
Establish procedures for responding to data breaches.
11. Compliance Monitoring and Reporting
Maintain a statutory compliance calendar covering monthly, quarterly and annual deadlines.
Conduct internal compliance checks and prepare for inspections by labour, pension, tax and safety authorities.
Brief management on legislative changes and update HR policies and contracts accordingly.
Maintain personnel files, payroll records and statutory returns for audit and inspection.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Academic Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
A Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, Law or a related field.
A Master's degree in Human Resources, Business or Law will be an added advantage.
Professional Experience
Applicants should have:
At least seven (7) years of progressive HR experience.
Experience in a senior generalist or HR management role in Malawi.
Hands-on experience in recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits, payroll oversight, learning and development, and HR compliance.
Experience handling disciplinary cases, terminations or employment disputes under Malawian labour law.
Experience leading and developing a team.
Experience managing an HR budget.
Professional Certification
Professional HR certification or membership of a recognised professional body, such as CIPD, SHRM or a recognised local HR body.
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
Experience using HR information systems (HRIS) and payroll software.
Strong HR analytics and reporting skills.
Sound understanding of Malawian labour laws and statutory authorities.
Strong knowledge of payroll, pension and tax computations.
Ability to interpret legislation and apply it to practical HR matters.
Excellent negotiation, mediation and employee relations skills.
Strong leadership and strategic thinking abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Knowledge of Chichewa will be an advantage.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications through BURN's official recruitment portal.
Application Link: To apply for this job please visit burnmanufacturing.applytojob.com.
DATE POSTED: Tuesday, 3rd November, 2026
Closing Date: Not specified
IMPORTANT NOTICE: BURN does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment process, including application, interview, meetings, processing or training.
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are encouraged to review the official application page for complete instructions and submit their applications through the recruitment portal.