Human Resources Manager, RISE Eswatini

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University. For more than 50 years and in over 155 countries, Jhpiego has worked to prevent the needless deaths of women and their families. Jhpiego Corporation has been providing technical support to the Ministries of Health in partner countries across the globe in a variety of technical areas including cervical cancer treatment and prevention, community health, HIV and AIDS, maternal and newborn health, health workforce capacity development family planning, malaria, and IPC/WASH. 

The RISE project supports countries to respond to the HIV epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic by providing technical assistance, service delivery, research, and cross-cutting health system innovations. RISE partners with ministries of health, local stakeholders, and nongovernmental organizations in more than 25 countries around the world to advance strategic and policy objectives to control the transmission of HIV and COVID-19. Working across the HIV prevention, care, and treatment cascade, RISE bridges country-led efforts to reach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals by 2030. To address the COVID-19 pandemic, RISE provides short-term, emergency response aid, alongside longer-term health systems strengthening, to achieve pandemic preparedness. Targeted technical assistance includes strengthening health information systems, human resources for health, supply chain, and health financing. 

The RISE project is looking to hire a Human Resource Manager who will provide strategic leadership, oversight and operational oversight to all HR functions within Jhpiego Eswatini. This includes, but is not limited to:

Developing, implementing, and continuously enhancing HR strategies, systems, policies, and procedures in line with Jhpiego’s global standards, local labour laws, and best practices within the international NGO sector.

The incumbent will report directly to the Country Director and work in close collaboration with the Regional Human Resources Business Partner (RHRBP) to drive organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, talent acquisition, and retention.

Strategic HR Leadership:

• Develop and implement comprehensive HR strategies aligned with Jhpiego’s global vision and local country objectives.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the Country Director and senior management team on all HR-related matters, providing insights and recommendations to optimize Human resource management.

Human Resources Administration:

• Establish robust HR policies, procedures, and standards to ensure consistency and compliance with Eswatini labour laws and Jhpiego's global policies.
• Regularly review and update HR policies and the employee handbook to ensure clarity, compliance, and relevance.
• Oversee the management and administration of competitive compensation and benefit schemes, ensuring alignment with local market trends and internal equity.
• Lead the annual performance appraisal process, providing guidance and support to supervisors and staff to foster a high-performance culture.
• Manage Jhpiego’s pension policy in alignment with local pension reforms.
• Advise management on salary and benefits to ensure Jhpiego Eswatini is competitive in the NGO sector and salary structures are periodically reviewed in accordance with Jhpiego HR Policy
• Ensure effective utilization of HR information systems (JEMS, iCIMS) to maintain accurate records and facilitate efficient HR processes.
• Lead internal and external HR audits, ensuring timely responses and corrective actions.
• Analyse HR metrics and data, such as exit interviews and employee surveys, to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Talent Acquisition & Staff Recruitment:

• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes, ensuring robust and compliant selection practices.
• Partner with hiring managers to clearly define roles, responsibilities, and candidate profiles.
• Oversee job posting, screening, testing, interviewing, and reference checks to ensure quality hires.
• Provide coaching and training to hiring managers on effective interviewing techniques and candidate assessment.

Onboarding & Employee Relations:

• Design and coordinate a structured onboarding program to ensure seamless integration of new employees.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with new hires and address concerns promptly.
• Provide guidance and support to supervisors on managing employee relations, performance issues, conflict resolution, and grievances.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive workplace environment that encourages open communication and employee engagement.

Employee Records & Compliance:

• Ensure accurate and secure maintenance of employee records, adhering strictly to confidentiality standards.
• Timely submission of necessary documentation to global HQ.
• Regularly track and report recruitment, retention, and attrition statistics to inform workforce planning.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Business Administration, or a related field; postgraduate qualification strongly preferred.
• Active membership in a recognized professional HR body required.
• Minimum of 7 years’ progressive HR experience with at least 3 years in a managerial or senior HR leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in managing HR operations within donor-funded international NGOs, preferably with USAID or similar entities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Eswatini labour laws, employment regulations, and best practices in HR management.

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships across all organizational levels.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills, capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Superior communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and familiarity with advanced HR information systems.
• Thorough understanding of donor requirements, compliance, and reporting standards.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.