People & Culture Officer

About Pharo Foundation

Pharo Foundation is a mission-driven, non-profit organization working to build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. We design, fund, and operate transformative economic development programs across the continent. Over the next decade, we aim to drive lasting impact through three core missions:

1. Empowering the Next Generation – Providing high-quality, affordable education to equip students for a rapidly changing world.
2. Eliminating Barriers to Employment and Productivity – Addressing health, financial, and structural challenges that limit economic participation.
3. Solving Water Scarcity – Ensuring communities have access to safe, affordable, and sustainable water sources.

With over 500 staff across Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Somaliland—and headquarters in Nairobi—we are a diverse, multicultural team united by purpose. Our London-based liaison office supports our parent organization, Pharo Management.

Role Summary

We’re looking for a strategic and hands-on People & Culture Officer to join our growing team. This role is ideal for an HR professional who thrives in dynamic environments and is passionate about building inclusive, high-performing workplaces. You’ll lead recruitment efforts, design transformative learning experiences, and support core HR functions that elevate employee engagement and organizational success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or related field
• Minimum 3 years of experience in recruitment, learning & development, or generalist HR roles
• Strong knowledge of HR practices, employment law, and organizational development
• Experience with HRIS platforms preferred
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Key Competencies

• Strategic talent acquisition & interviewing
• Instructional design & adult learning principles
• Analytical thinking & data interpretation
• Emotional intelligence & conflict resolution
• Confidentiality, integrity & professionalism
• Innovation & continuous improvement mindset

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Strategize & Execute: Develop forward-thinking recruitment strategies that align with workforce planning and organizational goals.
• Full-Cycle Hiring: Own the end-to-end hiring process—from crafting compelling job descriptions to onboarding exceptional talent.
• Talent Pipelining: Build proactive talent pools for critical and future roles using modern sourcing techniques and employer branding.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with hiring managers to define role expectations, competencies, and selection criteria.
• Candidate Experience: Ensure a seamless, respectful, and engaging experience for every candidate, with timely updates and feedback.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Monitor recruitment KPIs (e.g., time-to-hire, quality-of-hire) and present actionable insights to leadership.

Training & Development

• Needs Analysis: Conduct thorough training needs assessments in collaboration with department heads and team leads.
• Program Design: Create and deliver high-impact learning programs—workshops, e-learning, coaching sessions—that drive performance and growth.
• Onboarding Excellence: Lead immersive onboarding and orientation programs that accelerate new hire integration and engagement.
• Career Development: Support career pathways, internal mobility, mentorship programs, and succession planning initiatives.
• Learning Culture: Champion a culture of continuous learning through internal platforms, peer-led sessions, and external resources.
• Impact Evaluation: Measure training effectiveness using feedback, performance metrics, and ROI analysis to refine future programs.

General HR Support

• Policy Implementation: Assist in rolling out and maintaining HR policies, ensuring compliance and clarity across the organization.
• Performance & Engagement: Support performance management cycles, employee feedback mechanisms, and engagement surveys.
• HR Projects: Contribute to strategic HR initiatives such as wellness programs, diversity & inclusion efforts, and employee recognition.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate HR records, support audits, and ensure adherence to labor laws and internal standards.
• Employee Relations: Provide responsive, empathetic support to staff on HR-related queries, fostering trust and transparency.

What We Offer

• A purpose-driven culture where people come first
• Opportunities to lead impactful projects and shape HR strategy
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative team environment
• Access to professional development and growth pathways
• Competitive compensation and benefits