Deborah Nwaezide’s academic journey began at the University of Abuja, where she studied political science. Part of her undergraduate coursework explored human resources and social dynamics in the workplace, which struck a chord within her. As political science to society, human resources seemed to probe social interactions, providing fascinating insights into human behavior.
She moved to launch a career in human resources upon graduation but shelved the plan after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into a lockdown. This period of uncertainty propelled her towards a niche within HR: technical recruitment, which involves connecting skilled professionals with opportunities in the expanding tech industry.
Today, Deborah serves as the Talent Manager and Global Technical Recruiter at Zarttech, a Netherlands-based firm aiming to bridge the global tech talent deficit. Remotely, she aids in developing innovative solutions that tackle bias during recruitment, dismantle barriers for emerging talents, and foster trust among stakeholders.
At Zarttech, her primary responsibility involves sourcing and recruiting highly skilled developers to deliver exceptional value for diverse industries. Together with managing these software developers, she also develops digital applications that take on social problems.
HR technology, Deborah reckoned, isn’t relatively new, as many individuals and companies have transitioned from traditional HR practices to adapting technology into their recruitment and training processes. “This shift has led to the emergence of numerous HR technologies, particularly in tech-focused industries. Consequently, we have specialized tech HR professionals dedicated to this intersection of tech and HR,” she explained.
A study conducted in the United States reported that the field of human resources is predominantly comprised of women. Data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2016 showed that 72% of HR managers were women, while an overwhelming 86% of HR generalists were women, according to Payscale.com. Likewise, on the African continent, women make up over 60% of managerial roles and dominate human resources.
Deborah attributes the heavy female presence in HR to women’s inherent sensitivity and emotional intelligence, which are integral aspects of human resources management. Since these skills are natural to them, women tend to perform excellently in the sector.
Despite all her success in HR, Deborah often contends with gender bias in the male-dominated tech industry. “The challenge lies in being heard and taken seriously, particularly when in a leadership position. Gender dynamics often come into play, with some questioning her authority based on age and gender rather than her abilities,” she said.
Through her position in leadership, she proposed policies to combat these biases, the implementation of which has allowed for more diversity and inclusion. One such policy is the “woman first” approach, which emphasizes prioritizing women in the firm’s communications. This enhanced women’s visibility and recognition of their potential and helped them to be treated with more equality and respect within the workplace.
An additional approach was a “first name” policy to break down hierarchical barriers and create a more friendly environment where individuals can interact on equal footing irrespective of status. This approach, Deborah says, fosters collaboration among employees and contributes to the overall growth of the company.
Beyond HR Tech
Outside of her contributions to HR Tech, Deborah’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her new digital application, Koko. Concerned about the problem of securing essential services after relocating to a new neighborhood, she launched a multifaceted booking app in January
Koko facilitates seamless transactions between individuals and service providers. For service seekers, Koko’s personalized searches and smooth user interface make it easy for users to track everything from beauty treatments to professional advice. Direct communication options enable seamless interaction with service providers through text and phone calls.
For service providers, Koko provides a repertoire of clients and helps to streamline management tasks such as bookings, schedules, and payments. Months into its launch, Koko has onboarded more than 3,000 users, forging trust and creating convenience.
Deborah Nwaezide’s journey transcends conventional boundaries, exemplifying the fusion of HR expertise with technological prowess. As she continues to break barriers and drive innovation, her story serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals navigating the dynamic intersection of tech and HR.
Deborah Nwaezide's academic journey in political science at the University of Abuja led her to a career in human resources, with a particular focus on technical recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. She currently serves as Talent Manager and Global Technical Recruiter at Zarttech, a Netherlands-based firm. Her role includes sourcing skilled developers, addressing recruitment biases, and promoting diversity.
The HR field is predominantly female, which Deborah attributes to women's emotional intelligence. Despite her success, she faces gender bias in the tech industry but has implemented policies for diversity and equality, such as prioritizing women's communication and a first-name policy to foster collaboration.
Beyond HR, Deborah launched Koko, a digital app facilitating transactions between service providers and users, which has gained over 3,000 users. Her journey highlights the integration of HR expertise with tech innovation, serving as an inspiration for professionals in tech and HR.
