Regional Human Resources Manager- Africa

Job Posting Organization:
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a non-profit, international organization established to address agricultural challenges and improve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, particularly in the Global South. CIMMYT focuses on enhancing the production systems of staple crops such as maize and wheat through applied agricultural science. The organization operates in multiple countries, including Ethiopia, Senegal, and Zimbabwe, and is a core member of the CGIAR Research Center, which is dedicated to reducing poverty and improving nutrition and natural resources. CIMMYT's regional office for Africa is located in Nairobi, Kenya, at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

Job Overview:
The Regional Human Resources Manager will be pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency across CIMMYT's country offices in Africa. This role is designed to ensure that these offices align with CIMMYT's organizational goals and adhere to established policies while effectively managing their strategic mandates. The manager will provide strategic leadership and support to the Regional Director and Management, facilitating coordination between headquarters and country offices. This position requires regular monitoring and capacity building to enhance performance and accountability, as well as making localized decisions to address specific challenges and opportunities. The role also involves collaborating with other regional managers to implement policies and procedures, focusing on process improvement and maintaining business continuity during transitions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Support and Alignment: Conduct assessments of country office operations to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and regional priorities. Review country office activities and coordinate strategic planning with HQ.
• Governance and Compliance: Ensure adherence to organizational policies and compliance standards, conducting reviews and recommending corrective actions.
• Operational Effectiveness: Monitor operational performance, identify inefficiencies, and implement process improvements.
• Workforce and Talent Development: Evaluate leadership practices, support talent development initiatives, and develop annual training plans.
• Risk Management: Ensure compliance with institutional policies and identify risks in staff management.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthen partnerships with recruitment companies and represent the Regional/HQ team in country offices.
• Environmental, Health and Safety Management: Oversee implementation of health and safety programs.
• Compensation and Benefits Management: Develop a global compensation strategy.
• Internationally Recruited Staff Management: Coordinate onboarding and offboarding of international staff. 1
• Audit and Compliance Support: Support audit efforts and ensure compliance with labor laws. 1
• Tools and Systems Management: Collaborate with HQ to manage HR reporting tools. 1
• Monitoring and Oversight: Conduct ongoing monitoring of country office operations and provide updates to HQ.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or a related field. They should have at least 8-10 years of progressive HR experience, particularly in regional or multi-country management. Experience in governance, compliance, and strategy alignment is essential. Personal attributes include the ability to align HR activities with organizational goals, lead and inspire HR teams, and drive change management initiatives. A strong understanding of labor laws and internal controls is also required, along with experience in workforce planning and recruitment practices.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for effective human resource management and strategic alignment within the organization.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8-10 years of progressive HR experience, with a focus on regional or multi-country management. Candidates should have a proven track record in human resources governance, compliance, and strategy alignment, as well as experience in driving change management initiatives and fostering a positive organizational culture.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Candidates should also demonstrate cultural sensitivity for working in diverse, multi-lingual teams. Proficiency in presenting HR data and insights to senior leadership is essential.

Additional Notes:
This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position with competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience. The appointment will be for two years, including a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available resources. The duty station for this position will be in Nairobi, Kenya.