Conservation International (CI) stands at the forefront of protecting the nature that humanity relies upon. With a presence in 30 countries and over 100 field projects worldwide, CI has been a trusted global environmental steward for decades. From the highlands of Kenya to the tropical forests of the Congo, and the coastal mangroves of Madagascar, our work champions both nature and the communities that depend on it.
As we grow and deepen our conservation footprint across Africa, we are looking for a strategic and experienced human resource leader to join our team in a pivotal role. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the position of Senior HR Business Partner – Africa offers a unique opportunity to shape the people strategy across the continent, support executive teams, and ensure our workforce thrives in diverse and complex regional settings.
This is not just a job—it is a mission to align people, policies, and purpose for the benefit of both humanity and the planet.
Position Title: Senior HR Business Partner – Africa
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job ID: 2504
Application Deadline: July 11, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)
Reports To: Regional and Global HR Leadership Teams
Application Mode: Resume and Cover Letter Submission
Position Summary
The Senior HR Business Partner – Africa will be a strategic leader and advisor responsible for steering the Africa Field Management Unit’s (FMU) People and Culture agenda in alignment with CI’s global strategy, conservation mission, and funding architecture. Operating at the executive level, the role involves leadership coaching, organizational design, workforce planning, regional compliance, talent development, and financial oversight of HR functions.
This position is critical for embedding CI’s values—respect, integrity, innovation, and collaboration—into every layer of the organization across Africa. It also offers the chance to work closely with senior stakeholders to shape a future-focused, agile workforce that is responsive to both conservation priorities and evolving operational realities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic People and Culture Leadership & Governance
- Partner with the Africa leadership team to craft and execute a comprehensive People and Culture strategy tailored to the continent’s operational and conservation goals.
- Develop governance frameworks that are regionally appropriate and compliant with both global standards and local labor laws across multiple jurisdictions.
- Implement scalable People and Culture models that uphold the integrity, efficiency, and sustainability of HR practices in a diverse and evolving environment.
- Promote and enforce organizational values through practices that foster inclusivity, respect, and ethical workplace conduct.
2. Financial Governance & Workforce Budget Management
- Take ownership of regional workforce budgets, ensuring synchronization with project timelines and funding stipulations.
- Lead cost-effective workforce planning initiatives, including compensation design, workforce distribution, and staffing models.
- Supervise payroll strategies across different African countries, ensuring alignment with fiscal accountability and compensation equity.
- Strategically address employment-related financial risks through effective contract structuring, benefit schemes, and severance policies.
3. Executive Leadership Coaching & Talent Development
- Serve as a trusted coach and advisor to the Africa executive team, supporting their leadership journeys through personalized development plans and strategic guidance.
- Lead succession planning to ensure the sustainability and continuity of senior leadership pipelines.
- Design and oversee leadership development initiatives that reflect both regional dynamics and global performance expectations.
4. Organizational Design & Talent Strategy
- Redesign organizational structures to align talent deployment with conservation delivery strategies and operational cost management.
- Oversee the acquisition of senior-level talent, focusing on both leadership potential and domain expertise to support mission-critical operations.
- Maintain flexibility in staffing and team design, enabling rapid and effective responses to emerging conservation and operational challenges.
5. Strategic Collaboration & Change Leadership
- Integrate People and Culture practices with broader internal client service delivery and CI’s overarching strategic goals.
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships across CI’s global divisions to ensure streamlined operations and knowledge sharing.
- Provide executive-level strategic input on programmatic HR rollouts, ensuring alignment with both technical needs and institutional objectives.
- Champion a change-resilient culture by guiding transformation efforts across regions, promoting adaptation, and reinforcing strategic alignment.
6. People and Resource Management
- Lead a dispersed and regionally diverse People and Culture team through three direct reports responsible for sub-regional HR operations.
- Provide oversight for a team of approximately 10 HR professionals supporting over 300 staff across the Africa FMU.
- Drive performance management, career progression, and internal mobility within the HR team to ensure continuous growth and impact.
- Manage recruitment, team development, and succession strategies within the People and Culture division.
Working Conditions
- This role follows a hybrid work model, allowing for a blend of office-based and remote work. Further guidance regarding the schedule and structure will be discussed during the interview process.
Required Qualifications and Core Competencies
- A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience, along with a minimum of 10 years of senior HR leadership experience at a regional or global level in large, complex organizations.
- A strong track record of financial governance in people functions, including workforce budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization aligned with donor and project frameworks.
- Executive coaching experience, with proven ability to shape leadership behavior, decision-making, and organizational performance.
- Familiarity with the operational models of donor-funded environments, particularly in aligning HR strategy with funding constraints and project timelines.
- Expertise in labor legislation, compliance, and employment policy across African jurisdictions.
- Experience working across multiple African countries and navigating diverse cultural and regulatory landscapes.
- Passionate alignment with Conservation International’s mission, values, and long-term vision for nature and people.
Preferred Language Proficiency
- Proficiency in French, Portuguese, or other African languages is highly advantageous due to the multinational scope of the role.
Core Competency Areas
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development
- Capable of designing, implementing, and adjusting HR strategies to reflect global direction and regional operational realities.
- Skilled in analyzing and structuring effective organizational models to improve delivery outcomes and sustainability.
Executive Stakeholder Engagement
- Confidence and credibility in influencing executive decisions and board-level discussions regarding workforce strategy.
- Proven ability to manage complex relationships and align leadership agendas across departments and regions.
Financial Governance and Risk Management
- Sound understanding of employment-related financial systems, including cost-benefit analysis, contractual risk, and budget allocation.
- Demonstrated ability to ensure compliance with complex labor regulations while maintaining operational efficiency.
Talent Acquisition and Leadership Development
- Experience in recruiting top-tier talent for senior roles across varied geographies.
- Commitment to nurturing leadership capabilities and developing robust internal pipelines for succession.
Integrated Workforce Planning and DEI Strategy
- Deep understanding of inclusive workforce planning aligned with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles.
- Experience customizing DEI programs for multicultural and multilingual environments.
Change Management and Transformation
- Strong change leadership skills, with the ability to drive large-scale transformation initiatives while managing resistance and building institutional resilience.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit your resume and a detailed cover letter articulating your suitability for the role. Applications must be received no later than July 11, 2025 (11:49 PM EST).
For more opportunities at Conservation International, please see all current openings on the CI Careers page.
Conservation International is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are dedicated to building a diverse team and encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds, including underrepresented communities, to apply.
Together, let’s shape a future where people and nature thrive together.
