Job Descriptions

Position:Regional HR Business Partner-Sudano Sahel Region

Reports to:Regional Director

Positions Managed:Functional/Matrix reporting line to Country HR Managers

Location:Kigali-Africa Regional Hub Office

Country Program/Sector:

Scope:Regional

Position Type:Full-time

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organisation, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the ocean and over 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, aquariums, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our 5,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and worldwide work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

More information at www.wcs.org.

About WCS Global Human Resources Team

Within the context of WCS’s Human Resources Framework, the Global Human Resources team partners with Global Conservation to build a global, diverse, and engaged workforce by attracting, developing, and retaining talent to deliver on Global Conservation’s strategy and mission. Global HR collaborates with leadership, managers, and employees to develop talent solutions and engage in performance, employee relations, and policy application while partnering on a wide range of activities with HR Centres of Excellence – Talent, Total Rewards, and HR Operations and Systems. The Global HR team ensures that WCS Global has the diverse, equitable, inclusive, and high-impact global teams necessary to drive an ambitious conservation agenda.

About the Sudano Sahel Region

The Sudano-Sahel Region presents unparalleled opportunities for WCS to play a direct role in saving some of the last remaining intact wildernesses on the planet and to contribute significantly to the security of people and wildlife. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key populations of endangered elephant, northern giraffe, lion, and eland. Communities also depend on the land for their livelihoods through pastoralism, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a significant presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, with a strong conservation history and proven success in protected area management. WCS currently has conservation initiatives in Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria and Cameroon. We work actively to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, enhance anti-trafficking activities, and implement our policy and scientific programs.

About the Regional HR Business Partner for Sudano Sahel

Reporting to the Regional Director for Sudano Sahel, the Regional HRBP oversees WCS’s human resources activities across countries. The regional HRBP for Sudano Sahel will work in partnership with leaders, managers, and employees within the Sudano Sahel region to shape, develop and deliver HR plans and solutions in line with the needs and priorities of the region. Operating as an HR expert, the HRBP will advise, guide and support staff and managers by providing people management and development support across teams. The Regional HRBP will implement and execute key HR processes, such as recruitment, selection, and onboarding for regional and country positions, compensation & and benefits, performance management, employee relations, work culture and learning and development. In countries without dedicated HR staff, the HRBP will provide day-to-day HR service to managers and employees. He/she will participate in the development, implementation, and utilisation of HR tools, policies, and procedures at the country level. The role is progressive and will evolve to meet the evolving needs of HR and the region.

This is an opportunity for an HR professional who is passionate about supporting people who are making a positive impact in the world. WCS seeks a dynamic, well-organised, and hard-working team player who is action-oriented and client service-oriented. The role also requires someone with HR experience in Africa and who is bilingual in French and English.

Major Responsibilities

• Manage the recruitment and selection process for regional and country-level positions, including ensuring job descriptions are accurate and effective, posting positions, screening applications, coordinating the interview process, and preparing and extending offers.
• “Overseeing the full onboarding process for regional staff and country-level senior staff.
• Update and/or implement HR manuals, policies, and toolkits across the region to ensure effective, efficient, fair, and transparent processes, and promote equal opportunities. Ensure compliance with local labor laws in coordination with legal counsel and/or labor offices where appropriate.
• Provide day-to-day HR service for country programs where we do not have dedicated in-country HR staff.
• Ensure local compensation and benefits practices are aligned with organizational reward strategies. Partner with the Total Rewards team and country-level HR leads (where applicable) to update salary scales, ensure job descriptions are up to date, level jobs accurately, and support the salary review process. Partner with the HR Director and Finance to budget appropriately to ensure competitive compensation and benefits.
• Analyse and report HR information to support 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. Facilitate HR operational support for the region and its country programs. Build HR knowledge, expertise, and capacity leveraging internal and external resources.
• Partner with leadership and employees to ensure a positive work culture in line with WCS´s Code of Conduct, and to resolve any issues.
• Develop policies and procedures for continuous identification of training needs of the staff. Organize appropriate training programs for employees.
• Ensure that HR issues are given full consideration in all decision-making and are in compliance with the spirit and intent of local labor regulations and requirements, as well as donor requirements where applicable. Solicit feedback and recommend improvements where appropriate.
• Coordinate an effective performance management process in line with WCS’s global Talent framework.
• 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.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree a plus.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive HR professional experience, including exposure to all areas of HR and a minimum of 3 years as an HRBP or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience supporting HR activities through the employee lifecycle from recruitment to separation, and developing and implementing HR processes, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated success as an HR generalist supporting employee groups in multiple locations within a regional environment.
• Demonstrated success in supporting and building relationships at all levels, including negotiating and influencing.
• Resourceful and proactive in prioritizing issues, creating, and executing solutions.
• Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills who can work seamlessly across countries, cultures, and organizational units.
• Demonstrated ability to work, manage, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment; aptitude for problem-solving and decision-making needed.
• Fluency in English and French required. Fluency in French is a MUST

Additional Requirements:

Approximately 30% to 40% of travel to the WCS offices in the Sudano Sahel.

Licenses & Certifications: 

• SPHR, GPHR, CIPD, HR professional certification or relevant Master´s degree is a plus.

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should submit their application at [email protected] by emailing an application letter and CV as one PDF document by the

4 September 2025 deadline. Please include " Regional HR Business Partner-Sudano Sahel Region " in the subject line of your email.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the selection and hiring process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share the same values.

The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate based on age, color, race, disability, gender identity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.