Associate Director: Human Resource Management

Job Title: Associate Director: Human Resource Management
Location: Nairobi, Kenya with Domestic, Regional and International travel
Reporting to: Director – Finance and Administration, Africa
Start Date: Immediate
Deadline: 6th August 2014
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About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a new organization created to scale proven interventions to improve the lives of
the poor in Africa and Asia. We believe there is a gap between what research shows is effective in
development and what happens in practice, and only tackle cost-effective interventions whose
efficacy is backed by substantial rigorous evidence. We identify innovative, appropriate financing
mechanisms and build best practice operational models. We voraciously self-evaluate, learn, and
improve our models for scaling with a commitment to transparency on progress, impact, and value
for money. Our two flagship programs are Dispensers for Safe Water and the Deworm the World
Initiative. Evidence Action is currently evaluating other programs suitable for scale-up.
Evidence Action’s Regional Office in Nairobi has a unique combination of attributes and opportunities
at this time. On the one hand, it encompasses a large and mature team which currently manages two
multi-million dollar programs, one directly and one through its sister organization, IPA. On the other,
as an independent entity it is a brand new “start-up” which requires ground-up organizational
development of all systems, policies, procedures, and practices. The senior leadership of Evidence
Action has set high standards for identifying and deploying the most innovative, efficient, and
effective systems and practices to maximize our impact and effectiveness. We have an ambitious
timeline for implementing organizational development activities and for achieving operational
excellence. The final vision of success includes having high-quality operational systems fully up and
functioning in Kenya, Uganda and Malawi in 2015.

About the Human Resource Management Team
The HR team embodies the evidence-based nature of Evidence Action’s work and enables us to be a “people oriented” organization while supporting Evidence Action’s strategic program delivery in line with laid down Human Resource policy and procedures. The team provides services across Evidence Action Africa region in meeting the following outcomes:
 Timely provision of Human Resource support services and readily available HR information for the dayto-day management planning and decision making
 Improved HR systems and structures (including functional processes and HR information systems
maintenance)
 Evidence Action has the requisite Human Capital requirements at all times
 Efficient and effective on-boarding and off-boarding processes are in place
 Innovative and highly skilled individuals are identified, attracted and selected on timely basis Country offices (Kenya, Uganda and Malawi) have established vibrant HR support units
 Compliance with national legal/statutory requirements and best practice HR Standards is fully achieved by the Organization at all times.
The HR team works towards these outcomes through three Country Office HR establishments to deliver quality, timely and useful people management information and support services:
About the Position: Associate Director – Human Resources Management (HRM)
The Associate Director – HR Management is a senior management position. He/she leads the regional HR team and is responsible for its management and delivery of HR services and outcomes. He/she will nurture a strong technical regional HR team that supports programs to deliver innovatively in line with Evidence Action values and performance philosophy.
The HR team functions like an internal consulting firm within Evidence Action, providing high-quality and value-for-money information and HR services to programs.

Roles and Responsibilities
The position holder will lead the delivery of Evidence Action’s HR management functions in Africa. He/she will;-
i. Oversee all the key HR functions, systems and processes within the Africa region (Kenya, Uganda and Malawi),
ii. Provide strategic and operational HR support to Line Managers and staff while supporting the HR planning process for Evidence Action programs
iii. Ensure that HR systems, processes and structures are aligned with the overall strategic priorities of Evidence Action.
iv. Actively manage the recruitment process (on-boarding) and facilitate employee orientation, induction and provision of sufficient briefing to staff on HR policy and procedures.
v. Support the Headquarters and Regional offices in expat staff sourcing and selection including obtaining of requisite documentation and work permits in line with respective country legal requirements.
vi. Proactively work with respective finance officers to ensure that accurate and sufficient information for payroll management is timely received from all staff and Line Managers and the payroll is prepared and approved on timely basis
vii. Account to the Director Finance and Administration, Africa and the Regional Director Africa on the delivery of HR strategic objectives, Key Performance targets and provide regular monthly, quarterly and annual HR reports
viii. Set up and maintain an effective employee relations system that fosters and supports staff welfare across the region ensuring high level job satisfaction both at team and individual level
ix. Ensure staff compliance to both internal policy/management decisions and HR practices, and respective country legal frameworks/labor laws and manage disciplinary processes
x. Ensure a service-oriented environment and client-driven relationships with all staff, supporting and providing high quality HR support services and information
xi. Ensure statutory requirements such as HELB, NHIF, NSSF and insured benefits (such as medical and WIBA) are made timely and important records on the same are secured
xii. Ensure that the HR registry has the requisite records including employee personal files, pertinent staff information and important HR information and that the registry is confidentially managed and appropriately secured at all times
xiii. Set up effective support systems to manage Health and Safety for Evidence Action and ensure these are optimally maintained.
Qualifications
The Associate Director: Human Resource Management will have at least seven years of experience leading and managing HR functions and people management related activities in large scale organizations, and an interest in expanding their horizons within a mission-driven organization committed to impact at a regional scale. S/he is excited about leading a cross-cutting team within an organization which sees learning and the use of rigorous evidence as central to its mission, and is motivated to actively ensure that this approach is deeply woven into all teams within Evidence Action. The ideal candidate has experience working in developing countries, including within Africa.
The Associate Director, HRM will have the following experience and attributes:
 Master’s degree in a relevant field with strong Human Resource Management training (I-HRMK);
 Self-directed and self-motivating personality, with proven ability to manage demands from multiple clients/employees while adhering to deadlines and priorities;
 Strong HR technical skills and capacity, (demonstrated by I-HRM K certification) with at least 7 years of practical experience managing and working directly with regional teams;
 Naturally inquisitive, skeptical, intellectually curious, detail-oriented and organized;
 Proven leadership experience in Africa and experience managing a cross-cultural team, ideally in East Africa and beyond;
 A critical, analytical, and process-oriented thinker with a willingness to learn and share good experiences;
 A good understanding and or experience in HR consulting or other client-based and service-oriented roles;
 An ability to operate effectively within ambiguous environments, and to thrive as a part of a dynamic and evolving leadership team;
 The ability to lead in an innovative organization and quickly-changing environment;
 Inspired by Evidence Action’s mission to bring proven interventions to scale, improving the lives of millions;
 A sense of humor and excitement to be part of an engaged and intellectually stimulating work environment

To Apply
Please email your CV and application letter to HRjobs@evidenceaction.org with the subject line “Associate Director HRM.”

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Associate Director – Monitoring learning and Information Systems for Evidence Action. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that Evidence Action will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with Evidence Action prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to HRjobs@evidenceaction.org .

Evidence Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), adhering to the laws that prohibit discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment. The Evidence Action HR policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.