Junior HR Officer

Creating a Workplace Where People Thrive — Fueling Growth for Small Business Success Why Merchant Capital? Merchant Capital is an innovative FinTech on a growth trajectory, powering up the local economy one ambitious business owner at a time. As an entrepreneur‑led business, we are proud to have cultivated a high‑energy and results‑driven market culture, attracting self‑starters with a can‑do attitude. And because our success is based on collaboration, testing, learning, and identifying opportunities, we value dynamic thinkers who respect one another. Our people describe us as ‘high‑performing’, ‘fast‑paced’ and ‘agile’. We are deliberate about who joins us because we know that A‑Team players want to work with A‑Team players Just as we ignite the aspirations of our clients, we create an environment that enables each team member to drive their own ambitious growth. Merchant Capital gives you the space, support, and autonomy to reach beyond your role. What we offer: Personal growth and career development Meaningful and stimulating work where you get to make a difference Autonomy and the space to learn and grow Mentorship and development programme Lively open plan workspace Free on‑site gym Exciting Team events Being part of a winning team- of A‑team players Purpose of the Role: The purpose of this role is to help build a great place to work where people grow and achieve together. You will work closely with the HR Manager to provide comprehensive HR administrative and coordination support across the employee journey. This includes compliance administration, recruitment, HR systems management, record keeping, and assisting with employee relations and HR projects. The role forms a critical part of ensuring smooth people operations, maintaining accurate information, and supporting employees and managers in line with company culture, values, and compliance obligations. Key Responsibilities 1. Compliance & HR Administration Support the administration and coordination of compliance‑related HR matters, including Employment Equity (EE) planning, submissions, employee data tracking and reporting. Health and Safety documentation, training registers, incident administration and committee coordination. B‑BBEE HR‑related data collection, evidence gathering and reporting for verification processes. Skills Development & Training data management, tracking attendance, coordinating learning opportunities, and assisting in submitting the annual Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR). Maintain and update HR templates, employment contracts, policies, forms, and internal documentation. Update and track HR KPIs and dashboards. Manage and maintain the HR Information System (HRIS) collaboratively with the Finance Department, ensuring accurate, up‑to‑date employee data. 2. Recruitment & Onboarding Assist with the full recruitment cycle, including drafting and posting job advertisements on recruitment platforms. Screening applications and scheduling interviews. Conducting reference checks and supporting background verification processes. Coordinate onboarding for new hires, including preparing offer packs, induction schedules, system access and documentation. Ensure new employees are welcomed and integrated effectively. 3. Employee Records Management Maintain accurate, secure, and confidential employee records in both digital and physical formats. Ensure all employee data is managed in line with POPI Act requirements and internal privacy standards. 4. Administrative & Employee Support Provide general administrative support to the HR department and assist with employee inquiries regarding policies and projects. Assist with HR calendars, scheduling internal HR meetings, and coordinating HR communications. 5. Employee Relations Support Support HR with employee relations case preparation and documentation. Assist with relevant documents. 6. HR Projects & Process Improvement Participate in HR initiatives aimed at improving HR processes, systems, workflows, and employee experience. Suggest opportunities to streamline processes and leverage technology (including AI‑based tools) to improve HR efficiency. 8. Reporting Assist in preparing, updating, and submitting HR reports, including monthly reports, analytics dashboards, and compliance submissions. Required Qualifications & Experience BCom in Human Resource Management or related qualification. Minimum 1 year of experience in an HR administrative or HR Officer role. Must have recruitment experience. Working knowledge of South African labour legislation. Experience maintaining HR systems and/or working alongside Finance on payroll/employee data (advantageous but not required). Proficient in Microsoft Office. Strong administrative discipline and high attention to detail. Highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Strong interpersonal skills and professional relationship‑building ability. Ability to manage confidential information with sensitivity and discretion. Curious and comfortable learning and integrating technology and AI tools to work smarter. Creative problem‑solving ability and willingness to find practical solutions. Proactive mindset — able to think two steps ahead and anticipate needs. What Will Make You Successful in This Role You genuinely enjoy helping people and keeping processes running smoothly. You are resourceful, curious, and willing to roll up your sleeves to get things done. You are tech‑savvy and excited about using modern tools and AI to improve efficiency. You are dependable, calm under pressure, and take pride in accurate, neat work. Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full‑time Job function Human Resources #J-18808-Ljbffr