David Karanja

HR Generalist with nearly five years of progressive experience delivering efficient, compliant and customer-focused human resources support across the full employee lifecycle, within corporate, public-utility and public-health sector environments. Broad generalist scope spanning HR operations and compliance, recruitment and onboarding, contract and employee records administration, payroll and benefits coordination (including outpatient insurance claims administration), HRIS data management, performance management, and staff learning and engagement. Proven track record coordinating end-to-end recruitment and onboarding for over 300 employees, screening and interviewing 50+ candidates, and maintaining accurate employee records through Sage People 300 HRIS.

Brings additional confidentiality and data-governance discipline from supporting COVID-19 response record-keeping with the World Health Organization and Kenya's Ministry of Health, and demonstrates community leadership and employee-wellbeing values as a Youth Branch Leader and mental health advocate with YMCA Kenya. Detail-oriented, confidential and solution-focused, with strong ability to balance day-to-day HR delivery with organisational compliance requirements.

HR Officer — HR Generalist - Thika Water and Sewerage Company Ltd - Thika, Kenya

(2024-04)

• Act as a key point of contact for HR queries, applying company HR policy consistently while preparing and issuing employment contracts, confirmation letters and contract-related correspondence, ensuring appropriate review before issue.
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records and HR documentation, supporting audit readiness and data integrity across the employee lifecycle.
• Coordinate end-to-end recruitment processes — job posting, candidate screening, interviewing and onboarding — managing the hiring and smooth integration of nearly 50 employees in compliance with company policy.
• Screened job applications and interviewed over 50 candidates as part of the talent acquisition and selection process.
• Administer the full employee lifecycle, including contract renewals and confirmation documentation, demonstrating strong HR documentation practice.
• Coordinated onboarding and training for over 300 employees in partnership with AMSOL Consultants and the HR team on a culture change management initiative.
• Support payroll and benefits administration by consolidating monthly payroll inputs and managing employee benefits enrolment and renewals, ensuring accuracy and strict confidentiality.
• Administer employee benefits, including outpatient insurance claims, liaising directly with insurers and cover providers to ensure timely claim resolution and staff wellbeing.
• Expertly manage and maintain Sage People 300 HRIS to ensure accurate employee records and data integrity.
• Design and deliver HR dashboards and reports using Excel, analysing employee performance and talent distribution to inform management decision-making and strategic workforce planning.
• Utilise NVivo, SPSS, STATA and Excel to generate actionable HR analytics, collaborating with department heads to align HR metrics with organisational goals and propose training and development strategies.

Health Records Data Clerk — COVID-19 Response - World Health Organization (WHO), in support of the Ministry of Health, Kenya - Kenya

(2022-02 - 2022-08)

• Worked alongside data management personnel to handle confidential client and patient details as part of national COVID-19 response record-keeping.
• Supported accurate, secure and confidential maintenance of health records in a high-volume, compliance-driven public health environment, in line with WHO and Ministry of Health data protection standards.
• Gained direct exposure to working within a multilateral/international health agency, reinforcing discipline in confidentiality, data integrity and structured record management transferable to HR data governance.

Human Resource Intern - Thika Water and Sewerage Company Ltd - Thika, Kenya

(2023-02 - 2024-01)

• Maintained and updated HRIS records, ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Facilitated onboarding and orientation for new hires.
• Assisted with payroll and benefits administration and supported continuous improvement of employee documentation processes.
• Undertook additional HR administrative duties as assigned by the Human Resource Department.

Youth Branch Leader & Youth Professional / Mental Health Advocate - YMCA Kenya - Kenya

Serving as a Youth Branch Leader at YMCA Kenya, an NGO focused on advocacy for youth and women's rights and social youth programmes empowering vulnerable communities.

• Champion youth professional development and mental health advocacy, supporting community-based initiatives that build resilience and wellbeing among young people.
• Contribute to youth rights and empowerment programmes, building skills in community engagement, advocacy and grassroots coordination that complement professional HR practice in employee engagement and wellbeing.

Certified Human Resource Practitioner (CHRP-K) - HRMPEB (2025-05 - 2026-08)

Bachelor of Commerce - Human Resource Management - University of Nairobi (2018-01 - 2022-12)

Certificate - Computer Applications - ICS Technical College (2024-03 - 2024-06)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) - Mangu High School (2012-01 - 2015-12)