Regional HR Director

Aga Khan University (AKU) has built a global reputation for its work to improve the quality of life in developing societies through high-quality teaching, research, and healthcare delivery that reflects its core values of impact, quality relevance and access. A not-for-profit organization and an agency of the AKDN, the University has campuses and programs in Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom.

The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi were the first hospitals in their regions to be accredited by American accreditation health organizations such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the College of American Pathologists.

Currently, in East Africa, AKU offers academic programs in medicine, nursing, teacher education, and journalism. Moreover, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N) is a teaching hospital that provides tertiary and secondary level healthcare services along with a number of outreach centers spread across various parts of Kenya. The university in EA currently has a total staff strength of approximately 3000 full-time staff and faculty.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources, based in Karachi, Pakistan; the Regional HR Director will lead and facilitate a highly effective, strategic HR function in the East Africa region that ensures AKU has the structure, inclusive culture, and diverse talent needed to deliver on its program goals.

You will be managing the HR Business Partners who are strategic advisors to the organisation. They drive HR programs within the business lines in partnership with our HR Centers of Excellence (Talent Acquisition, Talent and Organizational Development, Employee Relations, and Rewards).

Key Responsibilities

The Leadership of HR Strategy

You will:

• In consultation with VP HR, set vision, goals, and expectations to accelerate the team for scale and dynamic growth by developing organization strategies and identifying and researching human resources issues.
• Drive organizational change management and help leaders align communication, behavior, and infrastructure to support their desired changes.
• Facilitate the adoption of HR policies and practices including educating leaders and managers regarding HR capabilities.

Team Leadership

You will:

• Provide dynamic and effective leadership and day-to-day management of the department and operational activities.
• Serve as a consultant and advisor to HRBPs and various centers of excellence on aspects of HR knowledge-based activities, initiatives, and programs.
• Take overall responsibility for the management and development of staff within the HR unit.
• Plan and organize the appraisals of staff within the HR unit.
• Provide project leadership and change management for HR Services.

HR Operations Oversight

You will:

• Offer technical leadership to Hospital Executives, University Deans, and Departmental Chairs.
• Evaluate HR functional capacity and service delivery for the East Africa Region.
• Serve as a resource to employees on regional HR policies and procedures.
• Manage the Regional HR budget.
• Partner with other units and finance teams to develop insightful reporting.

Talent Management Oversight

You will:

• Implement human resources strategies by establishing department accountabilities.
• Work with the L&D head to plan and organize employee orientation.
• Lead guide and facilitate the University and Hospital leadership in East Africa to plan and recruit the best candidates.
• Continuously review performance management processes.
• Participate actively in planning and developing compensation programs.
• Work closely with the University leadership in EA to develop strategies to support the retention of key staff.

Overseer of Employee Relations Activities

• You will facilitate and assist senior leadership and department heads regarding specific employee-related issues.

Caretaker of Workplace Culture

You will:

• Represent AKU values and design change initiatives and programs to support organizational culture.
• Assess employee satisfaction and track trends in employee behaviors.
• Develop an employee-oriented company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Support the ‘One HR’ culture within the HR team.
• Oversee the overall organizational health of the business line.

Others

You will:

• Lead and guide the HR team to appreciate and be aware of the subtle differences between the people and cultures.
• Analyze and take decisions to resolve complex issues.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and best practices in human resources.
• Prepare and deliver regional HR reports and presentations.
• Collaborate with business partners across AKU HR.
• Promote and uphold the highest level of conduct and leadership practices.

Key Experiences and Qualifications

• Must have at least 10+ years of experience working with a service delivery model.
• Must be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Human Resources or related field.
• Holder of an accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD).
• Proven track record of providing People/HR administrative support.
• Extensive experience working in organizations with robust digital strategies.
• Demonstrable experience in partnering and leading specialty functions of Human Resources.

Personal Characteristics and Key Competencies

• Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to synthesize large amounts of data.
• Decisive, fair, and firm in leadership.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience in HR Technology.
• Knowledge in preparing feasibility studies, project plans and strategic plans.

• Compensation commensurate to experience with a mix of employee benefits.
• A company culture that allows you to build meaningful connections.
• An opportunity to work in a multi campus multi country university setting.

If you fully meet the above listed criteria, and are excited by the mission, please send your application, attaching relevant academic and professional certificates, updated CV together with contacts of at least three (3) professional referees, to reach us not later than 27 January 2023 .

This recruitment is supported by Yusudi Limited, so please send your application to Maggie Wairimu on

No hard copy applications will be accepted. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The Aga Khan University is an equal opportunity employer.