Human Resources Director

Overview

Jhpiego is an international nonprofit health organization affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University. For more than five decades and across more than 155 countries, it has supported efforts to reduce preventable deaths among women and families. Its work includes technical assistance to Ministries of Health in HIV/AIDS, maternal and newborn health, family planning, workforce development, cervical cancer prevention, malaria, and IPC/WASH.

In Eswatini, Jhpiego is delivering the Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) project. This multi-country initiative, funded by the U.S. Government, aims to save lives and improve health through integrated, evidence-based interventions that close critical gaps in lifesaving services. RISE operates across all levels of the health system to strengthen the HIV/TB response, reduce the spread of outbreaks through Global Health Security programming, and lower avoidable illness and death through integrated MNCH, nutrition, TB, and malaria services. Since 2019, the project has supported work in more than 25 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Role Summary

The Human Resources Director is the most senior HR leader in the RISE Eswatini Country Office and reports to the Country Director. The role provides strategic leadership for all HR operations and acts as a trusted advisor to the Country Director and Senior Management Team on workforce and people-management matters.

The position has two direct reports: the HR Manager and the Senior HR Officer. The HR Manager supervises Admin Assistants and HR Assistants. Together, the team handles recruitment, compensation and benefits, employee relations, organizational development, change management, and compliance. This is a senior leadership role that calls for strong judgement, deep technical HR knowledge, and the ability to guide the function through substantial growth and transition.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR counsel to the Country Director and Senior Management Team on workforce planning, people management, and organizational performance.
• Design and roll out a country HR strategy aligned with Jhpiego’s global direction, RISE objectives, and Eswatini labour law.
• Lead HR planning for the project’s expansion and workforce deployment across all four regions of Eswatini.
• Work closely with the Regional HR Business Partner and global HR team to keep country operations aligned with organizational standards and best practices.
• Identify HR-related risks and advise leadership on practical mitigation measures.
• Promote a workplace culture grounded in respect, inclusion, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Direct, mentor, and evaluate the HR Manager and Senior HR Officer while supporting the HR Manager in supervising their team.
• Set clear expectations, strengthen accountability, and raise capability across the full HR structure.
• Represent HR at Senior Management Team level and contribute to organizational decisions.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment across all staff levels, with particular attention to high-volume hiring.
• Build efficient, compliant hiring processes that support large-scale mobilization while maintaining fairness and speed.
• Ensure recruitment practices follow Eswatini labour law, Jhpiego policies, and donor requirements.
• Supervise job advertising, screening, interviews, reference checks, background checks, and offer management.
• Coach hiring managers and HR staff on interviewing methods and safe recruitment practices.
• Lead role benchmarking and grading to ensure proper placement in the pay structure.
• Guide compensation and benefits strategy, including salary benchmarking, benefits administration, and annual merit review.
• Manage employee benefits, leave, and pension administration in line with local law and organizational policy.
• Develop and monitor the HR budget to ensure effective use of resources.
• Design onboarding programs for all new hires, including orientation materials and probation objectives.
• Oversee employee relations matters such as performance concerns, discipline, grievances, and conflict resolution.
• Support the Country Director and Senior Management Team on complex and confidential people issues.
• Advise on disciplinary and grievance procedures and represent the organization in HR forums or with legal counsel where needed.
• Strengthen staff morale, engagement, and motivation during periods of expansion and transition.
• Create and facilitate staff engagement approaches with the Regional HR Business Partner.
• Lead change management planning for the office’s transition and growth phase.
• Support managers in having clear conversations about role changes, reporting lines, and organizational restructuring.
• Help leadership communicate change consistently and effectively across the workforce.
• Build long-term workforce sustainability approaches, including professional development and staff financial wellness initiatives.
• Maintain HR policies and procedures that meet Eswatini labour law, Jhpiego standards, and donor rules.
• Ensure employee records and HR systems such as JEMS and iCIMS are accurate, complete, and confidential.
• Lead internal and external HR audits and close out findings on time.
• Keep personnel files complete and compliant with organizational, donor, and legal requirements.
• Oversee timely processing of timesheets, leave records, and other HR documentation.
• Develop contract frameworks for different staff categories, especially fixed-term and project-funded roles, in coordination with legal counsel.
• Prepare and report HR metrics including recruitment, retention, attrition, and exit interview trends to leadership and headquarters as needed.
• Provide HR input into new business opportunities, including executive and key staff hiring.
• Support workforce standards and sustainability planning for future program growth.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a similar postgraduate field is required; a relevant bachelor’s degree may be considered if backed by exceptional experience.
• Professional membership with a recognized HR body such as CIPD, SHRM, or an equivalent organization is strongly preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive HR experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior HR leadership position.
• Experience in an international NGO or donor-funded setting, preferably on U.S. Government-funded projects.
• Proven background in high-volume recruitment and large-scale workforce mobilization.
• Strong understanding of Eswatini labour law, employment regulations, and current HR practices.
• Experience leading and developing HR teams with direct supervisory responsibility.
• Working knowledge of HR information systems such as JEMS and iCIMS, or similar platforms, plus advanced MS Office skills.

Key Competencies

• Strategic HR leadership with the ability to translate organizational goals into practical people strategies.
• Change management capability for handling restructuring, transition, and rapid growth.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across internal teams, government counterparts, donors, and senior leaders.
• High ethical standards, sound judgement, and discretion when handling sensitive matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability supported by HR data and metrics.
• Coaching and team-building strengths for developing HR talent.
• Resilience and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and tight deadlines.

Location and Work Context

This position is based in Mbabane, Eswatini. The role may require occasional travel within Eswatini and across the region. The selected candidate should be available and responsive during a period of intensive organizational growth, including support toward a workforce mobilization target of October 1, 2026.

Additional Information

Jhpiego provides competitive compensation and a comprehensive employee benefits package. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis because the appointment is urgent.

The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. It also promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Recruitment Scam Warning

Jhpiego warns applicants about fraudulent job offer scams. Recruiters will never request a fee at any point in the hiring process. Official communications come from a Jhpiego email address. Suspicious messages should be reported to the organization directly.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit one combined document containing a cover letter, resume, and references.