The Role

Oxfam International’s Africa Platform is looking for A Senior People and Culture Business Partner will provide strategic input, support and will be the trusted partner of the OiA Head of People and Culture and the Country Directors on all people related matters. S/He will support the Head of People and Culture to enable countries to manage and develop their people as well as

ensuring that quality standards are met. S/He will contribute to the implementation strategy of the Global People Strategy within the Sub Sahara region in Africa. This role in provision of people and culture support, will manage the complexity of HR-related matters across Africa, paying attention to the social and cultural context of the  continent.

Key responsibilities

Provision of Strategic People Leadership and Management to the OiA Head of People and Culture and to the Country People Managers

• As deputy to the Head of People and Culture, provide strategic vision and guidance for the OiA and ensure that the SLT and People and Culture functions operate efficiently and in consistency with our values in absence of the Head of People and Culture
• As Senior People and Culture Business Partner, acts as trusted advisor to the countries leadership teams, influences on senior management thinking and behaviors on the people aspects of Strategy and ensures that people management is central to this.
• As a key member of the OiA structure, be the trusted partner on people related matters, provide people leadership, advice, counsel and solutions in analysing people issues and current challenges.
• Coordinate all the people plans defined and implemented, policies and procedures due to the multiple Executing Affiliates, in order to achieve a common framework within the OiA. Also contribute to Oxfam work on Harmonization of policies, processes and systems that will enable simplicity and empowerment; Transforming Business Support (TBS) work led by the OI COO’s team
• Support the different stakeholders, to build the needed staff “capacity” and capability for efficient and effective delivery at multi-levels and implementation and adaptation of People and Culture global initiatives and practices. Build staff knowledge and expertise leveraging internal and external resources.
• Managing and developing the performance of the Africa Platform team and supporting the recruitment and capacity building of staff. OiA  People and Culture Business Partner
• Contribute to the delivery of the global staff strategic functions at different levels, continental and country.
• Ensure consistency with the global strategy adapting where necessary and drawing and building on developed best practice where this exists such that the organisations can deliver on the full spectrum mandate (development, humanitarian and early recovery programmes), business objectives and Quality standards are met.
• Identify, facilitate or harmonise the development of people policy, procedures, standards, tools, and resources, in line with Global requirements and context specifics. Ensure effective adaptation at all levels and compliance with the local labour regulations and donor requirements.
• Work closely with the leadership to attract, recruit and retain the talented people we need and to identify and develop high potential staff.
• Detailed advice and problem resolution (including direct one to one manager on the Africa Platform staff case work support) on complex and sensitive policy interpretation and procedural issues to managers and employees including advising managers when decisions might need to be taken outside of defined policy and process.
• Work with the country team to scale functions which can be managed and delivered at country level.
• Manage the link and relationship to all People and Culture OI shared services and at Executing Affiliate level.

Learning and Organisational Development and Staff Capability Building in the Sub Sahara region in Africa

• Embed a culture of performance management (including countries and SAF cluster), where staff are held accountable and rewarded for high performance.
• Support managers in the development and coaching of staff to optimise their potential in pursuit of Oxfam’s objectives.
• Providing guidance on staff capacity building and in formulating the annual team members’ plans.
• Ensure that staff have access to guidance on individual development opportunities arising from performance review feedback and personal career development interests.
• Creating within the region an environment of continuous learning where staff are encouraged and supported to develop and are held accountable for their commitments.
• Analyse on an ongoing basis the organisational staffing profile across the region and work closely with the Leadership Team and Country Directors to ensure effective talent management strategy is in place and actively support activity that optimizes talent.

Change Management towards Oxfam in Africa

• Support the Head of People and Culture and the Africa Change Manager, to implement the required and agreed changes to become a unique management structure in the Sub Sahara Region, transitioning from 3 entities (WAF, HECA and PAP) to the Africa Platform (project management to the change process and ensure plans are delivered on time).
• Support the Change process to the TBS project and its impact on the Africa Platform and countries.
• Provide flexible support to the Head of People and Culture and Country Directors as required on different aspects of the change process.
• When delegated by the Head of People and Culture, manage the key change related meetings in the region (e.g. monthly change updates) and ensure the follow up of all agreed action points.
• Ensure progress is tracked and reported on appropriately, escalating key issues and risks where appropriate governments and institutions at various levels

General Organisational Awareness and Learning

• Stay abreast of changing organisational and external situational circumstances, which may impact the wider organization and proactively develop suggestions for addressing them and/or incorporating relevant information into Oxfam’s ideas and approaches. Manage the link with change managers (where appropriate).
• Contribute to OI People and Culture strategy development as a member of the Global HR Leadership team, represents the specific needs, challenges and context.
• May serve as a line manager for Africa Platform support functions if required.
• Take a lead on strategic People and Culture issues as delegated.

We’re looking for a person with

• Leadership Skills and ability to act on behalf of the Head of People and Culture
• As a senior technical specialist on People and Culture in the AP, degree in Human Resources or related field (where appropriate in the local context) with expertise in providing a superior, proactive, business focused service.
• Proven robust experience of organizational development, especially capacity building and skills transfer, learning and development and knowledge management. Experience in creating a learning and sharing environment.
• Proven experience on change management.
• Extensive working knowledge and experience of national labour laws and their application.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, members and external partners and supporters.
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• International experience of HR/OD in a large complex, multi-cultural organisation
• Non-profit: experience of HR/OD in a NGO
• Culturally competent, with good understanding of the social and cultural contexts of Africa
• Bilingual: proficiency in English and French
• Knowledge of (country) in terms of its political, economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in Africa but more particularly for countries in West Africa.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time

What we offer

At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you have the same opinion, together with the ability to meet the challenges involved, this role offers scope for immense personal fulfilment – as well as outstanding opportunities to develop your career.

Oxfam is committed to providing a fair compensation package and to providing a flexible, supportive, working environment

How to apply

Please upload an up to date CV and a covering letter, clearly explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the Job Profile.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted- usually within 2 weeks of the closing date.

About us

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

We are an international confederation of 21 organizations (affiliates) plus the Oxfam International Secretariat, working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

All our work is led by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam International Secretariat also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, if a job applicant has been employed by another member of the scheme, we will request information from that organization about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedure