Country/Region: Uganda, Country Office

Location: Kampala

Organization: Save the Children International

Join us to lead sustainable change for children:

• Be part of a GLOBAL and DIVERSE technical community
• Get EXPOSURE in many different contexts
• Test and scale up INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
• Influence policies that affect MILLIONS OF CHILDREN

OVERVIEW 

Are you passionate about being an advocate for children? Do you want to use your expertise to bring about lasting change for children and be a part of an inspiring, dynamic global movement?

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the HR and Administration Director (HRAD) shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO).  The HRAD acts as a business partner to the Country Director and SLT and has ultimate responsibility for all people-based activity within the organization from both strategic and operational perspective. The HRAD is accountable for the provision of effective HR services in both emergencies and development programming contexts. S/he is responsible for all staff related areas, such as resource planning and recruitment, performance management, capacity development and staff wellbeing. The HRAD is the central focal point for Child and Adult Safeguarding and ensure SCI’s ambitions on diversity, equity and inclusion are maintained amongst staff across the organization. The HRAD is responsible for facilities management and has oversight over administrative and legal matters.

Sounds interesting? Read more below 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the Senior Management Team

• Assume leadership of the CO; support the development and implementation of the Country Strategic Plan and the achievement of the organizational goals;
• Help establish, maintain and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, partner agencies including humanitarian and development donors, and (I)NGOs;
• Ensure the CO complies with all organizational policies, procedures and standards;
• Ensure strong HR performance and achievement of relevant KPIs;
• Ensure that all required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies.
• Lead on design and implementation of a coherent organizational structure that fits and serves the organization’s practices and programmatic ambitions.

Policies, Procedures and Employee Relations

• Ensure that adequate advice and support are provided to managers and staff on interpretation and application of organizational policies and procedures and on other HR related matters.
• Supervise the development of adequate HR practices and processes aligned with the organisation’s overall strategy.
• Facilitate effective implementation of mechanisms such as international deployment and in-country staff rotation to ensure flexible resourcing of staff needs.
• Provide ethical oversight and leadership across the Country Office.
• Monitor and advise on disciplinary matters in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Mediate conflict, grievances and harassment cases.

Child and Adult Safeguarding

• Serve as the national focal point and champion on Child and Adult Safeguarding.
• Actively analyse risks to child and adult safety, propose and implement mitigation measures;
• Oversee that the organization recruits only representatives who are suited to work with children and to apply strict child safe recruitment practices and organizational Code of Conduct;
• Ensures that everyone associated with the organisation is aware of their obligations and responds appropriately to issues of child abuse and the sexual exploitation of children.
• Ensure the country Offices conducts regular safeguarding self-assesments, implement action points and relevant organizational initaitves, establish and maintain systems which promote awareness of Child Safeguarding, enable the prevention of harm, and ensure reporting of and responding to safeguarding concerns.

Recruitment, Retention and Staff Administration

• Ensure effective and timely recruitment, retention and succession of staff, including tailored orientation programs;
• Ensure through thorough review that employment terms, conditions and practices are fair, consistent, compliant with labour law and Save the Children human resource policies and best practice, and appropriate to the context;
• Prepare terms and conditions of employment and issue all employment and consultancy contracts in compliance with Uganda Labour Law and regional HR best practices.
• In collaboration with the Finance Department, ensure maintenance of updated information on staff salaries, allowances and income tax calculations in compliance with current laws and regulations.
• Ensure a conducive work climate that enhances staff motivation and retention. Provide support to senior managers to ensure staff wellbeing and splendid team spirit across the organization.

Performance Management and Staff Development

• Lead implementation and maintenance of performance management system that is in alignment with organizational goals; ensure that performance reviews are conducted regularly by supervisors; provide training and advise to managers on effective implementation of performance management.
• Lead on the development of an organisational culture that reflects our values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation;
• Lead on Talent Management and Succession Planning, providing career opportunities and ensuring the CO can adequately fill future critical vacancies.
• Analyse the organisational staffing needs – in conjunction with senior managers – and advise on job holder competencies and skills in light of changing contexts and content.
• Providing guidance on staff capacity building and in formulating the annual training calendar, and offering tailored capacity building solutions that are effective and low cost (e.g. staff rotation).

Facilities Management

• Oversee the overall maintenance of all Save the Children office premises, facilities assets and equipment (physical work environment) in country and ensure that these are secure and efficiently utilized.
• Manage all contracts and leases and advise senior management on lease renewals and new contracts.
• Ensure facilities are compliant with Health and Safety regulations.
• Ensure adequate insurance cover and keep up to date with suitability and types of cover available
• Oversee the annual preparation of the renewal of licenses and permits.
• Provide logistical support to guests, visitors including partner organisations involved in SC activities

Legal

• Ensure full compliance with Uganda laws and regulations with regards to human resource matters; ensure that Save the Children policies are coherent with Ugandan policies.
• Ensure adequate legal oversight, provide analysis of legal risks and legality assurance to the management and ensure that appropriate legal service is delivered for the organization by closely working with retained lawyer(s);
• Support the visa process for expatriate staff and liaison with relevant Government entities;
• Support on government relationships that evolve from SCI’s legal registration in the country, and lead on registration renewals.

Team development and supervision

• Ensure appropriate staffing within Human Resources department
• Manage the HR team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed.
• Manage the performance of all staff in Human Resources work area through:
• Effective use of the performance management system including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations.
• Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities.
• Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance.
• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements / work plans

To be a strong supporter and advocate for children in this role you will need to have:

• At least a master’s degree in human resources management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or other related academic discipline, and/or a postgraduate specialisation in Human Resources
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently in country
• Minimum of 13 years Human Resources experience, including experience in the development of strategic and operational support services plans and their implementation in a professional work environment over a sustained period of time; some year of experience in an (I)NGO environment is preferred.
• Ability to plan and organise a substantial workload that includes complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities in both development and emergency contexts.
• In-depth knowledge of employee relations and develop and maintain knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Experience in capacity building and setting frameworks for staff development.
• Resourcefulness and creativity in developing the role of HR within the programme and ensuring the most effective support to line management; Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours in the event of responding to emergencies.
• Demonstrated credibility with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate skills in leading a multi- disciplined team through a period of change
• Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate qualified professional staff with strong personal value systems
• Analytical, decision making and strategic planning skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities
• Ability to coach, mentor, delegate appropriately and provide developmental guidance to supervised staff.
• Team building skills.
• Competent level skills in core IT applications, particularly MS Office
• A commitment to the values, goals and principles of Save the Children.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Application closes on December 02, 2025.