People Operations Associate

About the Company

Wave is building financial services designed to make everyday money movement simple, affordable, and available to more people across Africa. The company’s broader ambition is to help shape the continent into the first cashless one, by removing the friction that often comes with traditional banking and payments.

Launched in Senegal in 2017, the product initially focused on cash deposits, withdrawals, and peer-to-peer as well as business payments. Since then, the company has expanded rapidly and now serves millions of users across nine countries.

Role Summary

This position is a key support role for the Kampala office and upcountry operations. The successful candidate will keep people operations, office administration, and workplace coordination running smoothly, while also helping to organize events, manage facilities, and support team members across different functions.

People Operations

• Put HR policies, procedures, and supporting administrative processes into practice across Wave Uganda and keep them up to date.
• Lead onboarding for new hires and help them settle into the company’s culture.
• Maintain employee information covering compensation, benefits, insurance, promotions, transfers, reviews, and exits.
• Handle work permit processing when employees require it.
• Act as a main point of contact and business partner for people-related issues.

Office Management

• Run daily office operations and help ensure a safe, well-maintained, and productive work environment.
• Look after the front desk, utilities, security, office supplies, equipment, and stock levels.
• Support the acquisition of new office spaces and the related logistics.
• Respond to staff and service-provider correspondence, complaints, and general queries.

Team Leadership and Administration

• Oversee, coach, and train office support staff while assigning tasks to improve efficiency.
• Manage office spending and procurement activities.
• Arrange local and international travel, including flights, accommodation, and vehicle rentals.
• Plan company events such as happy hours, retreats, and conferences.
• Prepare presentations and reports for management.

Location and Work Setup

The role is based in Kampala, Uganda, with occasional travel to upcountry field locations.

Work authorization in Uganda is mandatory.

This is a permanent full-time position.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay is described as competitive and determined using a transparent formula.

The benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance for the employee and dependents, 26 weeks of maternity leave, 4 weeks of paternity leave, subsidized childcare after returning to work, airtime reimbursement, free meals, and access to a well-designed office space.

Candidate Profile

Wave is looking for someone who brings energy, speed, and a systems-focused mindset, and who is motivated by building processes and getting things done.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional training in business administration, human resources, or a related area.
• At least 5 years of experience in a similar role, ideally within a fast-moving international organization.
• Working knowledge of HRIS platforms, with BambooHR or Workday preferred.
• Comfort using Google Workspace or Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong planning, organization, and prioritization abilities.

Additional Fit Factors

• Persistent and willing to follow through until tasks are completed.
• Thoughtful about how workplace design influences culture and teamwork.
• Able to work independently with limited direction.
• Strong in collaboration, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal interaction.
• Demonstrates professionalism, sound work ethic, and respect for internal policies.
• Capable of leading people and helping others grow.
• Has experience guiding teams toward ambitious goals.
• Comfortable with proactive, detailed coordination and communication.
• Able to adapt quickly when priorities or conditions change.
• Analytical, solution-oriented, detail-focused, and dependable on follow-through.
• Understands how to work within established priorities.
• Flexible to work irregular hours when needed.

Team Environment

The organization has a fast-growing in-country presence across Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Uganda, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon, alongside remote colleagues around the world.

Employees are given a high degree of ownership, with responsibility from problem definition through to monitoring solutions in production.

The company highlights major investor backing, including Founders Fund, Sequoia Heritage, Stripe, Ribbit Capital, Y Combinator, and Partech Africa, and says it is among Y Combinator’s top companies by revenue.

Application Notes

Applicants are asked to submit a resume in English and a cover letter explaining their interest in Wave and the role.

The employer states that it is an equal-opportunity organization and is committed to an inclusive workplace.