Payroll & Total Rewards Lead

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Payroll & Total Rewards Lead to join our dedicated and talented team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty 

MEDA's work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Payroll & Total Rewards Lead is responsible for supporting the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of MEDA's global Total Rewards programs. This role will assist in ensuring timely and accurate execution of payroll and benefits processes, data analysis and reporting while maintaining systems and records. This includes preparation of in-house, full cycle, semi-monthly and monthly payroll, and group benefit administration for Headquarters (HQ) and regional employees. In addition, the Payroll & Total Rewards Lead will provide support to the People & Culture department on compensation and job evaluation related projects, employee documentation, policy administration, and other projects as needed.

Job Status: Full-Time

Start Date:  March 2026 or as soon as possible

Location(s): Remote, based in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana or Senegal

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Payroll & Benefit Administration and Compliance %

• Complete full cycle semi-monthly and monthly payroll for salaried HQ and regional employees
• Administer monthly payroll for global regional staff through global payroll providers and employer of records (EORs) including exchange rate differentials
• Ensure payroll and remittance practices are compliant with local labor legislation and all submissions are made accurately and within required timeframes
• Assist with year-end payroll reporting including tax documents and annual benefit reporting in North America (US ACA reporting and CDN dental reporting) and required annual remittances/declarations for regional staff
• Manage payroll and benefit enrollment, termination, revision and systems
• Prepare, reconcile and track benefit invoices for payment
• Prepare payroll reports, GL's and benefit worksheets for finance reconciliations
• Support annual benefit renewal, open enrollments and mandatory notices
• Support audit processes with supporting documentation related to payroll and benefits
• Answer employee questions related to payroll and benefit administration

Compensation and Job Evaluations %

• Assist in job evaluation exercises, maintain job description library, and gather market data
• Support Director, Total Rewards on annual salary increase process including collection of CPI data and preparation of salary increase worksheets and letters

Employee Records and Document Administration %

• Assist in drafting, maintaining and updating job descriptions
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date and complete employee compensation and benefit related records and files in Bamboo HR and SharePoint
• Ensure proper documentation of all payroll and benefit related items to support audit compliance
• Administer time-off tracking and leaves in BambooHR to enable reporting
• Monitor and administer documentation related to job evaluation requests and internal acting-as/interim roles and promotions
• Draft employee letters, amendments and end of employment documentation as required

Policy Administration & General People & Culture Support %

• Administer and support Total Rewards policies and improvements
• Support corporate culture and employee experience including assisting in onboarding and offboarding
• Collaborate with Director, People & Culture to assist with annual performance management process
• Assist in preparing employee communication relating to Total Rewards initiatives
• Assist the Director, Total Rewards with special projects

REQUIREMENTS

Education:  Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field

Experience: Minimum 4 years of experience in payroll and benefits administration

*Working toward Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or equivalent certification an asset 

Technical Expertise: Experience with HRIS systems (BambooHR) and payroll platforms (ADP) preferred

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

• Appreciation and support of MEDA's faith statement, values and goals
• Certified Human Resources Professional and a member of the relevant HR body in your country
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities while meeting deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Fluency in English and French both written and spoken is a strong preference
• Discretion and sensitivity in handling confidential information
• Collaborative workstyle with skills in building and maintaining relationships
• International NGO or multi-country payroll experience is an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 20, 2026 @ 4:00 pm EST.

MEDA welcomes and encourages applications from all genders, backgrounds, religions, cultures, nationalities and abilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in the selection process.

MEDA is not in a position to sponsor or assist candidates in obtaining work permits. Employees are required to establish that they will be able to work legally in the country the role is in, during the course of employment.

MEDA does not use AI for screening, assessing or selecting applicants

Location

Waterloo, Ontario (Remote)

Department

People & Culture

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Mid-level