Regional HR Director at Church World Service

Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership & Organizational Development (20%)

• In liaison with HR at the HQ, develop and implement a HR operations plan for Africa, ensuring alignment with CWS global HR priorities and CWS Africa strategic direction.
• Contribute to the organization’s strategic planning and ensure HR considerations are embedded in multi-year plans.
• Lead the integration of HR management from regional RSC Africa structures to CWS structures at the region and country offices, ensuring a smooth change management process.
• Provide technical leadership of the HR function across the region ensuring capacity (people, systems and processes) that is able to drive the intended organizational culture and achievement of organizational goals.
• Work with the regional and country office leadership to ensure that change across the organization is effectively managed.

HR Policy, Compliance & Risk Management (20%)

• In coordination with the CWS Africa leadership and HR at HQ, develops and implements HR policies, processes and practices that are in compliance with INGO best practices, and applicable laws and regulations for the locations where CWS Africa operates.
• Ensure audit‑ready documentation, internal controls, and HR compliance reporting across the region.
• Provide guidance to leadership and line managers to ensure fair, consistent, and transparent employee practices.
• Regularly provide and interpret HR metrics (turnover, time‑to‑fill, diversity indicators, performance cycle completion, etc.) to inform leadership decisions.
• Oversee internal HR compliance reporting and conduct regular HR process reviews across the region.

Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Workforce Planning (15%)

• Advise CWS Africa leadership on staffing models, workforce planning, and organizational design to meet programmatic needs.
• In collaboration with finance and departmental heads and country representatives, ensure total employee costs (compensation, benefits, training, etc.) are budgeted for and all employee related activities are within budgeted allocations.
• Provide technical oversight for recruitment of key and senior roles; support country HR teams in full‑cycle recruitment.
• Lead talent acquisition for key HR leadership roles across Africa and provide technical oversight to country-level HR teams.
• Drive talent and succession management and leadership development programs across the region.
• Develop and implement a nimble, performance-based compensation structure that recognizes performance, skills, experience, and tenure.
• Oversee employee benefits programs, ensuring competitive and compliant packages across countries.

Performance Management & Learning and Development (15%)

• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of the CWS Performance Management System and process.
• Build capability of managers and supervisors in performance feedback, coaching and evaluation.
• Provide leadership on training needs assessments and development of annual training plans for staff and HR teams.
• Oversee the development and implementation of robust supervisory and management training programs.
• Oversee onboarding/orientation of new employees and those appointed/deployed to different roles and countries.
• Oversee effective and timely probationary performance management.

Staff Care, Culture & Employee Relations (15%)

• Champion employee wellness, and duty of care practices; ensure appropriate response in stressful incidents.
• Support employee recognition, and implementation of employee engagement initiatives.
• Promote effective communication across the organization.
• Ensure that HR units at the region and in the countries are accessible, responsive, and proactive in addressing staff concerns.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and harassment-free workplace culture across CWS Africa.
• Promote a strong culture of integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
• In collaboration with the security and administration unit leadership, advise on duty of care obligations and ensure workplace safety, security, and staff well-being.
• Provide guidance on investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances, and maintaining a harassment‑free workplace.
• Promote inclusion, respectful communication, and CWS values across diverse teams.

Leadership, Collaboration & Representation (10%)

• As needed, serve on CWS Africa leadership forums; contribute HR insight to regional leadership decision‑making.
• Liaise routinely with CWS HQ HR, Regional leadership, Security, and Program leadership to advance cross‑cutting HR initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Represent HR in cross-departmental initiatives, decision-making processes, and audits.

Other Duties (5%)

• Provide surge/coverage support for key HR leadership gaps in country programs.
• Participate in special projects and perform other responsibilities as assigned, to enhance HR efficiency and organizational effectiveness.
• Continuously monitor HR data, trends, and KPIs to inform decision-making.

Qualifications

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Organizational Development or related.
• Postgraduate qualification/certification in Human Resource Management is preferred.
• A Member of Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) with good standing.

Experience:

• Ten (10) years management experience preferably in an International NGO in a similar
• Eight (8) years HR Management experience in progressively advanced
• Proven experience working in an HR management capacity with large multi-cultural
• Knowledge of Kenyan labor laws and customs.
• Knowledge of other African country and US labor laws is preferred.
• Experience US refugee resettlement, refugee protection, or humanitarian relief programs
• Proven experience in adapting to, working with and excelling at using new technologies in a fast-paced
• Good knowledge of African country, U.S. and Kenya retirement benefits rules and regulations
• Computer literacy with a strong emphasis on Microsoft office and Human Resources Information Systems.