Head of Human Resources (Consultancy)

About the role

Ujamaa Africa, a Kenyan NGO working to prevent gender-based violence, is seeking an experienced Head of Human Resources for a six-month consultancy (January to June 2027) based in Nairobi. The consultant reports to the Executive Director and will strengthen HR policies, systems, processes and governance, while regularising employment documentation, improving contract management and strengthening performance management in line with Kenyan labour law, safeguarding standards and donor requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Develop an HR strategy, annual work plan and workforce plan, and review HR policies, procedures and internal controls
• Audit employee records, contracts, job descriptions, leave and performance files, then set up a central contract register and standardise contract preparation, approval, renewal and expiry tracking
• Set up transparent, merit-based recruitment and onboarding, and standardise requisitions, shortlisting, interviews and reference checks
• Implement a performance-management framework with KPIs, supervision and appraisals, and establish grievance, conflict resolution, disciplinary and whistleblowing procedures
• Review compensation practices and propose a salary-grading and remuneration framework, and strengthen payroll, benefits and statutory controls with Finance
• Integrate safeguarding, child protection, PSEA and sexual-harassment prevention into HR policies, and support staff engagement, wellbeing and professional development
• Run training needs assessments, build succession and talent-management systems, and handle separations fairly and legally
• Set up HR compliance trackers, workforce dashboards and reporting, advise the Executive Director and prepare a handover report and HR tools

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Organisational Psychology or a related field
• CHRP-K certification and current IHRM membership in good standing
• At least six years of progressive HR experience, including a minimum of three years in a senior HR leadership role
• Experience in an NGO, international development or mission-driven institution is highly desirable
• Experience establishing HR systems, policies, internal controls and compliance frameworks
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality and donor compliance
• Added advantage: postgraduate qualification in HR, Organisational Development or Employment Relations

Required skills

• Strong practical knowledge of Kenyan employment and labour law, employment contracts, disciplinary procedures, grievance management and separation processes
• Recruitment, performance management, compensation and salary grading, employee relations, HRIS and organisational development
• Managing organisational change, staff engagement, workforce planning and sensitive transitions
• Strategic HR leadership, HR risk management, contract administration and stakeholder engagement