Esther Ajah

I am a seasoned People and Culture professional with over nine years of experience leading HR operations across the technology, digital communications, humanitarian, and financial services sectors. I bring strong expertise in talent management, employee relations, and compensation and benefits, with a proven ability to align HR strategies with business objectives. Skilled in managing employee welfare, payroll, and learning and development initiatives, I excel at fostering positive workplace cultures and driving employee engagement.

I am adept at optimizing HR processes, resolving complex people matters, and partnering with leadership to build high-performing, resilient teams.

Acting Head, People and Culture - HASAL Micro-finance Bank - Abuja, Nigeria

(2025-06)

• Developed staff workplace compliance strategies in alignment national labor laws, regulatory requirements and requirements
• Developed training development programmer for over 200 staff, including role-based training, career development, and capacity building programs.
• Executed payroll and benefits design and administration including designing allowances, pension and leave entitlements.
• Monitor staff fraud risk, employee rotation, conflict of interests and declaration of
• Oversee recruitment, selection, and onboarding of staff.
• Supervise implementation of performance appraisal systems (KPIs, scorecards)
• Handle disciplinary matters, grievances, and conflict resolution

Human Resource Officer - Hasal Micro-finance Bank - Abuja, Nigeria

(2024 - 2026)

• Development of quarterly board reports for the Human Resources Department.
• Management of staff welfare initiatives including cooperative society, support loans and bulk buying, HMO.
• Ensuring smooth employee relations including grievances management, staff welfare and workplace harmony.
• Talent acquisition including attraction, recruitment and retention of exceptional talent that have resulted in credit support of about 1 Billion naira to SMEs to support growth in the last fiscal year. Onboarding, orientation on company values, ways of working and alignment with company goals.

Human Resource Officer, Learning and Development - Integrated Dairies Limited - Jos, Nigeria

(2023 - 2024)

• Created, designed and delivered statutory training requirements for new and existing staff across the organization.
• Reviewed and updated training needs, requirements and models for mid-level to senior managers on succession planning, leadership and transformational change.
• Designed and implemented post-training evaluations and assessment to improve the effectiveness of learning and development models in alignment with organisational tools
• Executed the use of online training platforms including google classroom and zoom webinars. In-person facilitation and training sessions including workshops, group assesments and interactive design.
• Provided advisory to team leaders and cross-functional teams on relevant training tools and materials to support staff needs and team objectives.

Operations Manager - Antel Agency - Lagos, Nigeria

(2022-01 - 2024-06)

• Developed employer branding requirements to align with Agency goals and priorities across communication materials, internal goals and external engagements.
• Developed engagement strategies that positioned Antel Agency for global reach using social media and digital tools
• Expanded collaboration and partnership models with multiple partners including travel agencies and national clients to expand reach and capacity.

Hr Admin/Team Lead - Haven of Hope NGO - Jos, Nigeria

(2016-01 - 2022-01)

• Led acquisition, recruitment and retention of exceptional talent in the social and development sector across multiple arms of the organization including philanthropic healthcare, education and social impact.
• Executed project management activities for multiple projects including CSR programs, scholarship and community initiatives with over 80% in cost-effectiveness ion resource allocation
• Conducted periodic performance and work assessments and designed tailored recommendations for senior leadership to improve organizational growth.
• Lead learning and development activities including development of training materials on change management, social leadership for impact and growth focused culture
• Technical advisory to line managers and team leads on compliance with organizational policies, employment law and appraisal of support needs.

Master of Business Administration - MBA - National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

Bachelor of Science - Zoology - University of Agriculture (2011 - 2016)