View Vacancy - Regional Head of Human Resources, Sub-Saharan Africa - (13/20 PTA)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
RCSH (Regional Corporate Service Hubs)



Context:


The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a Regional Human Resources Hub based in Pretoria, South Africa, overseeing 52 UK missions in 40 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

 

Main purpose of job:


This is an exciting opportunity to strategically lead on all HR aspects for locally employed staff working at British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates located in the region, in collaboration with the London based HR Directorate. The role of the HR Head of Hub is to work through regional teams and lead the provision of key HR Services (recruitment and on boarding, pay and reward, performance management, employee relations, HR enquiries and information management) to customers across the region. The HR Head of Hub will provide strategic and professional HR capability to support Regional Senior Leaders in delivery of business objectives. 


The Regional Head of HR will be a key member of the Hub leadership team and an integral part of the global HR team working with staff in the overseas network for the UK Government. He/she will report to the Head of International Policies and Network Unit (based in London) and will deliver through their HR hub team of 20, working closely with London based HR Policy leads, HR Business Partner, Regional Learning and Development Team, Geographical Directorates, Finance and Procurement Teams. This role will be responsible for leading and managing high-level engagement with senior stakeholders and partners in the region.


Roles and responsibilities:

Leadership and Management (35%)  

  • Provide overall strategic direction and leadership to the HR hub team, in line with London priorities and the agreed role of the hub. Work closely with regional leaders to ensure appropriate HR support for business priorities. Promote the FCO values of responsibility, innovation and collaboration, and compliance with the FCO’s Global People Principles.
  • Lead the HR Hub Governance to ensure HR Hub resilience; leverage team expertise, skills and abilities for best HR services delivery across the region as well as create great learning and development opportunities in a healthy working environment to support wellbeing.
  • Build the capability of your HR Hub team and line Manage HR Hub staff providing guidance, feedback on performance and development, and effectively delegate work to stretch learning and build resilience
  • Lead the HR Hub operation to ensure high standards of service delivery are met regarding recruitment, pay and reward, talent and performance management, management information as well as a first line service to handle HR enquiries from employees and managers within the region. You will ensure ongoing smooth operations and continuous improvement in each of the process streams.
  • Devise and implement an effective regional HR strategy, based on central HR policy, with clear prioritisation to reflect regional needs and global change programmes
  • Keep professional knowledge up-to date, following trends, ideas and innovations occurring within the HR sphere, to ensure services standards are met and a culture of improvement grows within the Hub
  • Pastoral oversight and support (about 10% of role) for the staff in the Africa Regional Corporate Services Hub, across HR, Finance and Procurement functions, including responsibility for co-ordinating the Annual Consolidated Certificate of Assurance for the Africa Hub

Stakeholder Management (30%) 

  • Act as key influencer to the main regional stakeholders, including;  FCO Geographic Directorates,    HR Leaders in London, Regional HR Business Partners, Consular and Prosperity Directorates, Finance and Procurement Leads and Regional Learning and Development teams. 
  • Manage stakeholders from other UK Government departments working on the FCO platform, to ensure the HR offer also reflects their needs and requirements.
  • Work closely with other Heads of HR Hubs to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice
  • Network and influence stakeholders across the region
  • Manage and liaise with stakeholders at host post building a strong and supportive alliance reflected on Country Business Plan

Strategic HR Support (35%) 

  • Make strategic recommendations based on main Key Performance Indicators measured by the Hub and ensuring delivery of Hub SLAs
  • Monitor customer satisfaction and feedback and recommend necessary adjustments in processes, workflows, staffing levels, etc.
  • Advise and support in handling complex and sensitive issues regarding local staff management or senior stakeholders requests
  • Review and make recommendations on local staff terms and conditions ensuring regional consistency where possible          
  • Liaison between HR in London and locations in the Region on their portfolio of activity, ensuring all new policies are communicated and implemented.
  • Build and implement communication and engagement plan for targeted stakeholders using it as a means to deliver key changes and messages
  • Provide local and regional data analysis to allow informed decision making

Resources managed:

  • Direct staff management for 2 x deputy heads of Hub and 17 other staff
  • Counter-signing officer for 5 HR functional managers as well as the Head of Finance Hub and Head of Procurement Hub
  • Countersign the Regional Inclusion Advisor that delivers programmes and interventions to raise performance, improve engagement, resolve conflict to make working environments and relationships as inclusive as possible across UK Missions in the region

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or Social Sciences (or equivalent evidence of vocational learning).
  • Extensive experience in general HR management and experience of operating in an international HR environment.
  • Over 5 years team management experience, preferably in a shared services environment
  • Experience of leading a multifunctional HR team and a track record of delivery in a shared services environment.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, self- motivated and results driven.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment with remote supervision (role is distance managed)
  • Keenly aware of customer requirements
  • HR professionally qualified – CIPD or equivalent.
  • Experience of working in a Regional role and of managing customer / stakeholder relations remotely
  • Experience of working in the Africa Region
8 March 2020
Grade 7 (G7)
Permanent
40
Africa
South Africa
Pretoria
British High Commission
1
ZAR
70 850.07
1 May 2020
  • The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.
  • Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
  • Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
  • Working hours per week of 40
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
  • All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit.
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
  • If you don’t already hold a valid SA Police Clearance Certificate, we recommend that you apply for the certificate at the time of your application.
  • Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework
  • Complete the application form in full as the information provided will be used for screening purposes.
  • Check your application before you submit, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.