People Specialist (HR Specialist) at NMI · Cape Town

We're seeking an enthusiastic and people-oriented HR generalist, who is an excellent communicator, detail-oriented professional with practical knowledge of local South African employment law and practices.
This role will be the face of NMI's People function in South Africa, shaping workplace culture, supporting leadership and ensuring compliance with all South African employment legislation.
Operating during later hours to align with our global operations, you'll be an integral part of our onsite leadership team while partnering closely with our global People function.
This role requires a collaborative and adaptable, creative thinker, with hands-on experience in engagement and culture initiatives, HR administration and employee relations.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Culture & Engagement
Shape and nurture local workplace culture aligned with NMI's global values
Drive employee engagement and retention initiatives as agreed with global People team
Create a welcoming and inviting office environment by organizing meals, events (such as our volunteering events and staff parties), reviewing and improving local initiatives and perks.
Employee Relations
Work with leaders to proactively identify and mitigate employment relations risks
Support managers and employees through employee relations matters; including investigations, disciplinary and performance management processes and grievances
Ensure full compliance with South African labour legislation including the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and Employment Equity Act
Serve as NMI's primary representative at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)
HR Administration & Compliance
Facilitate onboarding and offboarding processes for South African employees
Manage local benefits programs
Oversee leave management and statutory reporting
Develop and implement South Africa-specific HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with the global NMI policies
Create and maintain local SOPs to strengthen processes and support consistency
Manage relationships with external service providers
Develop and implement H&S policy
Training & Development
Design and deliver training programs for global managers on South African employment law and cultural considerations
Consult global People team on performance management, local disciplinary process and employee relations best practices
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labour Law, or related field
Minimum 5-7 years of progressive HR experience
Proven track record of representing employers at CCMA with successful outcomes
Practical knowledge of South African employment legislation and case law
Experience supporting managers in a global or multinational organization (specific US experience is required)
HR certification (e.g., SABPP, CPHR SA) preferred
Essential Skills & Competencies
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
Legal Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of South African labour law and ability to apply it practically in complex situations
Conflict Resolution: Strong mediation and negotiation skills with the ability to find pragmatic solutions
Cultural Intelligence: Experience managing in diverse, multicultural environments
Business Acumen: Strategic thinking with the ability to balance employee advocacy and business needs
Training & Facilitation: Confident presenter and skilled at developing others
Adaptability: Comfortable working non-traditional hours in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Systems Proficiency: Experience with HRIS platforms and strong MS Office and Google Suite skills
What Makes You Great For This Role
You're energized by being part of a global HR team and influencing organizational culture locally
You thrive in global environments and enjoy coaching managers across different time zones
You're a problem-solver who can balance compliance requirements with practical business solutions
You're comfortable with later working hours and understand the benefits of global collaboration
You've successfully navigated complex CCMA cases and understand the nuances of South African employment law
What We Offer
Competitive salary of between R600,000 – R800,000, depending on experience
Opportunity to shape the people function in a growing South African operation
Leadership visibility and influence as part of the onsite leadership team
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
Professional development and growth opportunities within a global organization
Collaborative, inclusive work environment
Health Insurance - Discovery Medical Aid and Stratum Gap Cover
TELUS Health - Employee Assistance Program
Bonusly colleague reward scheme
Family friendly policies
About us
NMI is committed to inclusion and diversity and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer we encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
We enable our partners with choice, and challenge the one-size-fits-all approach to payment. You’ve probably used NMI in the last 24 hours without even realizing it. We’re the platform that powers success for innovative tech created by SMBs, entrepreneurs and fintech startups. We’re creative problem solvers who help visionaries smash through boundaries and think beyond what’s possible so they can think about what’s next. But we’re not just built for the tech savvy. We democratize the latest payments technology so that everyone can realize the benefits of easy payments across the full spectrum of commerce. We’re all about enabling more payments in more ways and more places.
We believe that having a diverse group of employees strengthens both our work and our workplace. We’re focused on making NMI more diverse and welcoming with initiatives like having a dedicated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion action group, diversity goals for hiring, anonymized resume screening, affinity groups such as our Women's network and LGBTQ+ Network, open forums for discussions on diversity and social justice, and measuring inclusion and belonging as part of our regular employee engagement surveys.
We are an Equal Opportunities employer and will provide reasonable support throughout the recruitment process to applicants who have a disability. Please let us know in advance so that any support, aids or adaptations can be put in place to assist you.
Please be aware that all offers of employment are made subject to receipt of satisfactory background and financial checks.