Job Description

Position:  HR Business Partner, Region East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO)

Reports to:    Regional Director
Dotted line:   HR Africa Director
Location:    Kigali, Rwanda
Coordinates with: Country Directors, Country Program HR Managers, Regional Business Manager and

Global HR

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries.  We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence.  Our 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

The Opportunity:

This is an opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting people who are making a positive impact in the world. The HR Business Partner, Region EAMWIO will have a global mindset, build effective working relationships, and be solution oriented. Reporting to the Regional Director EAMWIO, this individual will coordinate closely with Country Directors and Country Program HR Managers while also partnering with Global HR to implement global policies, initiatives, and toolkits in the region.

In addition to helping to build capacity across several country programs, this individual will manage Human Resources operational activities on a day-to-day basis for smaller country programs where we do not have a dedicated in-country presence. Additionally, this individual will collaborate with GCP (Global Conservation Program) managers and employees in areas such as Talent Acquisition and Management, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Relations, HR Operations & Systems, and Learning & Development. The role is progressive in nature and will evolve over time to meet the evolving needs of HR and the GCP organization.

Purpose:

To work in partnership with leaders, key stakeholders, and HR colleagues within East Africa Region to shape, develop and deliver HR plans and solutions in line with the needs and priorities of WCS East Africa Region. Operating as HR expert, to advise, guide and support staff and managers by providing high level people management and development support across designated directorates.

Primary Responsibilities:

This position’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Serve as day-to-day HR partner to Regional Director, Regional Business Manager and Country Directors, developing the regional HR strategies that support the goals and objectives of the region,
• Develop, review and or update regional human resources policies and procedures (compliant with and ensure they are effective, efficient, fair, and transparent, and promote equal opportunities). Ensure compliance with local labor laws and coordination with local labor offices,
• Assess staffing needs for the region, including recruiting new and replacement staff and supporting international mobility for expat staff in the region,
• Provide day-to-day operational HR support to GCP staff and managers in locations where there is no dedicated, in-country HR function,
• Implement HR toolkits and policies across the region to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of HR service delivery,
• Provide HR expertise in the areas of feedback, employee relations, development and coaching, compensation, and organizational development.
• Analyse and report HR information to support with benchmarking and the development of HR strategies and solutions. Ensuring that all internal and external reporting requirements are satisfied through the provision of management information and HR country returns.
• Assist in development and implementation of HR initiatives for the programs such as workforce planning, HR capacity building, learning and development, performance management, recruitment support, etc. to ensure countries have the right talent in the right places at the right time,
• Develop policies and procedures for continuous identification of training needs of the staff. Organize appropriate training programs for employees. Ensure a complete orientation/onboarding package is in place and that all staff are oriented on time,
• Assist in development and implementation of policies, operating procedures, tools, resources, and HR metrics,
• Build HR capacity within the region to ensure that HR can be a partner to regional and country management and staff,
• Support the implementation of global HR initiatives, including compensation and benefit programs, onboarding programs, and an HR information system,
• Stay up to date on trends in the HR field through continuous learning, certifications, and maintaining an active network of HR professionals within and outside of the iNGO sector,
• Complete any other HR duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
• Experience in a global role
• Language proficiency in English
• Language proficiency in French or Portuguese would be a plus

Workplace Conditions and Environment:

• Periodic need to work overlapping hours with teams located in different time zones