The People and Culture Manager is responsible for providing leadership on the implementation of the People & Culture Strategy at Country Level- The position holder will oversee the day to day operations of the People and Culture function for the Kenya country office including but not limited  to talent acquisition and management, contract management, performance management & employee relations. The position holder will be based at either of our offices in Kitale, Isiolo or Nairobi .

Detailed responsibilities include:

Owner of Staff Engagement at Country Level

Support country-wide communication by establishing and implementing quality communication strategies for recurring and one-time messaging (org-wide emails & surveys, meeting frameworks and content, hiring opportunities and decisions, key decisions, etc.)

Lead efforts to engage teams through communication channels across locations/departments (virtual/physical), including formal (within and across departments, including department meetings and emails, retreats, and so on) and informal (e.g. culture building). This may involve assisting in the design of the Country summits.

Develop and lead initiatives focused on increasing the skills, professional development, retention, and advancement of current staff.

Lead in the implementation of country staff engagement surveys (content and execution, analysis and recommendations, and communication with staff). Lead the implementation of action plans in collaboration with country leadership teams

Lead efforts to digest and learn from themes collected from staff feedback opportunities, such as onboarding check-ins, hiring manager satisfaction surveys, eNPS, mid-year check-ins, performance reviews, and exit interviews

Oversee the timely submission and updates on staffing data to inform  compensation and benefit and other process.

Implementation of HR Strategies and Policies

Make suggestions for improvement of the HR system, policies and procedures and contribute to their definition, elaboration and implementation

Support initiatives geared towards creation of a safe, healthy and happy workplace

Prepare, issue and track employment contracts

Develop procedures for staff benefits taking into consideration any packages that might come with it

Source, manage and maintain insurance contracts ensuring staff benefits are well handled, and timely renewal of insurance schemes

Interpret Leave policy to staff for all leave types to ensure proper usage while ensuring proper planning and leave management in the system and as a practice.

staff data ensuring personal files are frequently updated with relevant information

Preparation of monthly HR reports and update any employee changes on the HRMIS system

Coordinating Staff recruitment, Induction and retention

Coordination of transparent and competitive recruitment and selection processes.

Review, standardize and prepare recruitment materials including job descriptions, job specifications, adverts and interview questions for positions to be filled

Carry out short listing, coordinate & participate in interviews

Manage all new hire employment forms

Plan and conduct/coordinate new employee orientation including provision of information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, and opportunities for promotion and employee benefits etc.

Serve as the owner for all staff management practices and processes: 

Lead strategic initiatives designed to ensure long-term process improvement, cost reductions, and increased efficiencies for all people related processes at country level

Oversee the establishment of key Service Level Agreements for HR Services and quality targets. Understand varying business needs and priorities; align HR operation priorities and ensure stakeholder expectations are met.

Partner with the People team to promote education efforts that drive employees and managers to fully utilize available systems and tools as well as support in driving compliance to the relevant employment regulations, legislation, and policy requirements

Facilitate/support facilitation of new and existing manager training and coaching.

Provide ongoing support and coaching for managers as they face management issues.

Identify and manage projects to resolve training gaps that pose an unnecessary or significant risk to the organization.

Ensuring Legal Compliance

Display in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risk and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Ensure recovery of all organization items in possession of any staff departing from the organization

Act as the focal point on the administration of complaint/grievance and disciplinary matters and processes ensuring clear documentation of process.

Ensure exit interviews are carried out and appropriate records are maintained

Performance Management

Oversee the annual review process as well as other processes such as goal setting, mid-year, and annual reviews, and retention dialogues at country level

Oversee manager and employee trainings on Performance Management Process

Partner with Senior People and Culture Director to create succession slates for all leadership roles, critical positions, hard to fill positions

Create and manage the Key Talents Process

Ensure that all promotions are properly justified and documented both in terms of performance and compensation.

Safeguarding

Continuously sensitize program participants on safeguarding.

Ensure compliance with VE’s safeguarding policies.

Report any incident of safeguarding in program operations for appropriate action/follow up.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in the related technical field

CHRP or Equivalent qualifications

At least Five (5)  years of experience managing the generalist People & Culture functions

Experience working with donor funded projects is desirable

Experience working as part of a diverse and geographically dispersed team adopting various communications channels

Possess the technical knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the role, including;

A member of IHRM(K) with a valid practice license

Exposure to the utilization of HRMIS for management of the end to end employee life cycle

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, MS Word and MS Power Point

Understanding of the prevailing legal framework and best practices on various people & culture management issues including employee relations

Possess training and Communication Skills

Ability to orally communicate issues, problems and key information

Ability to write clear, concise memos highlighting issues, problems and key information