Regional HR Manager - East Africa Regional Division

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: HI - Humanity & Inclusion - Handicap International
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Mid level - Mid level
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Human Resources
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date:

Description

  • Place: Can be located in either country of East Africa, preference to Ethiopia, Ouganda or Kenya
  • Starting date: 15/01/2026 – Maximum 01/02/2026
  • Duration of contract: 2 years min
  • Closing date for application: November 23 (Applications will be processed on a rolling basis)

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development & humanitarian projects in more than 55 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 200 million euros, with 4,000 employees worldwide

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities. 

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation: Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion | HI

JOB CONTEXT

East Africa Regional Division includes the following countries: Ethiopia, Somalia/Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan (and later in 2026 Sudan)

East Africa region faces multiple challenges: armed conflicts and insecurity, population displacement (refugees and internally displaced persons), epidemics and public health issues, food insecurity and famine, and various protection incidents. These factors exacerbate the vulnerabilities of people with disabilities and marginalized groups. 

East Africa is home to approximately 3.8 million refugees, representing 10% of the world's refugees but faces growing challenges in terms of resources and integration.  

Ongoing crises in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia are exacerbating displacement. The open reception policies of countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia are being tested by limited resources. 

In this context, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) implements humanitarian and development actions aimed at improving access to essential services, strengthening community resilience, and promoting inclusion. HI's interventions focus on several areas: physical and functional rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), inclusive education (and EI in emergencies), protection, food security and humanitarian mine action (including clearance, victim assistance and risk education). HI's approach is based on community participation, promoting a “do no harm” policy, and seeking to achieve a lasting impact that promotes human dignity and inclusion in humanitarian action. 

HI has around 350-400 employees in this region, with a budget of €20-25 million. 

As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, HI has embarked on a process of regionalization and decentralization of its operational governance, with the aim of bringing decision-making closer to local realities. This change is accompanied by greater pooling of resources, harmonization of practices, and increased efforts to ensure programmatic consistency across its various areas of intervention. By early 2026, the program teams will work closely and in an integrated manner within a strengthened regional space to maximize the impact, responsiveness, and relevance of actions carried out as close as possible to the populations concerned. 

YOUR MISSION:

Reporting to the Regional Director, as Regional HR Manager you define and implement the HR aspects of the Management's Operational Strategy in the region.

You ensure that HR activities comply with the budgetary framework and with HI's HR frameworks. You actively analyse changes in the context to identify risks and opportunities within your scope. You actively participate in the progressive structuring of the East Africa Division in accordance with HI's organizational principles, prioritizing the development of skills within the business line.

The HR department in East Africa Division will be composed of approximately 15 staff based in the different countries. The Regional HR Manager will be the line Manager of country HR teams and will be part of the SMT (Senior Management Team) at regional level.

Your key Responsabilities at regional level:

1.     Management & Leadership :

  • Embody and promote the organization’s values, lead and develop local HR teams, foster innovation and change management.

 

2.     HR Strategy :

  • Develop, implement, and oversee the regional HR strategy, translating operational objectives and field needs into action plans.
  • Advise leadership on HR matters, especially during organizational restructuring.
  • Advise the Regional Director during major reorganizations, producing and analyzing HR indicators, managing HR risks, and representing HI on HR matters externally.

3.     HR standards, contribution to HI's expertise and accountability within its scope:

  • Deploys and monitors the quality of all HI HR policies, processes, and framework documents, ensuring compliance and supporting the team in adapting these frameworks.
  • Oversees legal and regulatory compliance, along with the quality of audit, internal control, and archiving procedures

4.     Operational Management and Support :

  • Supports the Executive Team with communication, decision-making, HR planning, budget management, remuneration, benefits, diversity policies, recruitment, and local partnerships.
  • Coordinates HR reporting, implementation of the HR cycle including career management, skills development, administrative management, and payroll and health policy compliance.
  • Manages contractual systems for national staff, international staff movements, document archiving, and supports HR managers with public administration matters.
  • Ensures legal compliance, staff representation, handles litigation cases, and maintains contracts with legal advisors specializing in social law.
  • Supports program managers and regional directors by communicating HR policies, monitoring policy compliance, and deploying institutional policies including Code of Conduct, PSEA, and Fraud and Corruption Policy.

5.     Emergency Management :

  • Lead HR preparedness and response in emergencies, adjusting priorities to meet humanitarian needs.

6.     As part of the regionalization process of the East Africa zone, the following will be a priority:

  • Support HR teams and all managers in the region in developing their hierarchical and functional collaboration skills.
  • Evaluate human resources policies and processes in the six/seven countries to propose standardized practices.
  • Assess human resources standards in each country and propose improvements with a view to greater subsidiarity.
  • Assess skills and develop capacity building for each team member with the support of the Human Resources specialist.
  • Create a human resources governance system for internal communication, information sharing, capacity building and team coordination.
  • Promote the development of strong functional links between shared service managers at the affiliate country level.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The security situation in the region varies from country to country, with some areas affected by tensions or travel restrictions, particularly in Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. Appropriate risk management mechanisms are in place to ensure the safety of teams.

Requirements

    • At least 5 years’ proven experience in HR and team management in an international context, preferably humanitarian or non-profit
    • Strong leadership skills with the ability to work with multicultural teams.
    • Strategic thinking and capacity to develop HR action plans aligned with overall strategy.
    • Mastery in administrative, remuneration, and HR frameworks (policies and legal).
    • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to advise senior management.

Benefits

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. 

24 months International contract starting 15/01/2026 – Max 01/02/2026

- If you are a resident in the country: local package applies : National applications are strongly encouraged

- The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:

    • Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals;
    • Pension scheme;
    • Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
    • Repatriation insurance paid by HI
  • Salary from 2986€ gross/month upon experience
  • Per diem: currentlly 489€ net/month in Ethiopia / 645€ net/month in Uganda
  • Hardship: currently 250€ net/month in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) / None in Uganda (Kampala)/ None in Kenya (Nairobi)
  • Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
  • R&R: according to the level of the mission: currently 5 days/3 months in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) / 11 days/year in Uganda (Kampala), 11 days/year in Kenya (Nairobi)

Please note that applications will be proce,ssed on a rolling basis.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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