African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) Zimbabwe Job Vacancy


The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) was established in 1991 to build sustainable human and institutional capacity in support of Africa’s development.  The Foundation’s goal is to improve the lives and prospects of people throughout the African continent. ACBF supports capacity development in Africa through grants making, knowledge sharing and technical assistance to countries and regional and sub-regional organizations. ACBF’s approach to capacity development focuses on addressing capacity needs and gaps as well as on stakeholder ownership of interventions, project and program sustainability and synergy of interventions with other development funding institutions.

The Foundation seeks outstanding candidates who are known for their excellence, professionalism, integrity and who are committed to the challenge of capacity development in Africa to join us.

Position: Human Resources Manager
Department: Office of the Executive Secretary
Grade: PS-5
Type of Contract: Fixed Term Renewable (subject to probationary period of 1 year)
Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe
Deadline: Monday, August 31, 2015

Reporting to the Executive Secretary and working closely with the Manager, Office of the Executive Secretary, the Human Resources Manager will facilitate the effective delivery of the Human Resource function in the Foundation, at its headquarters and in the regional offices. The specific responsibilities will include, but are not be limited to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resource Management Leadership

  • Participate in the strategic planning process and provides input towards the preparation of the annual business plan and annual reports
  • Establish the HR Strategic plan (short, medium and long term) and departmental priorities and work plans.
  • Manage the implementation of HR policies and procedures and staff manual ensuring that policies are relevant and support the mission and vision of the Foundation.
  • Advise both management and staff credibly on HR issues and helps to promote and facilitate teamwork and maintenance of a positive internal environment within the Foundation.
  • Manage staff members of the Human Resource unit and ensure delivery of the best HR practices that supports the organization’s mandate.
  • Develops and ensures implementation of systems, methods and procedures to provide efficiency, compliance and accuracy in the use of financial, human and material resources assigned to the department.
  • Manage the renewal of staff members’ employment contracts.
  • Prepares quarterly HR Management Reports for submission to the Executive Board through the Executive Secretary. 

      Organizational and Human Resource Development

  • Assist management in creating and maintaining an effective organizational structure that will support the overall business plan for the Foundation.
  • Identify situations where interventions are advisable and recommend the design and facilitation of such interventions.
  • Provide guidance and advice to management in developing Human Resource Plans to ensure that the organization has a well- balanced and integrated staff with the appropriate skills mix.
  • Conduct staff exit interviews and take note of areas that need attention in view of proposing initiative changes, improving policies and procedures; process changes; methods and ways work is done and paradigm shifts needed for  the organization to adjust and grow.                                                  

      Performance Management and Career Development

  • Develop and champion the implementation of a performance evaluation system recommending changes where necessary.  Collaborate with line managers to lead and facilitate the process of performance management.
  • Assist line managers to ensure that Mid-Year and End of Year performance appraisals are done in a timely manner.
  • Proactively identify developmental needs at organizational level, work role and individual level and recommend resources to deliver them.
  • Coordinate the annual staff development plan in support of the Foundation’s staff development policy.
  • Designs and facilitates the implementation of in-house learning and development interventions.

          Staff Planning and Recruitment

  • Ensure that the Foundation attracts and retains a multi-cultural, multilingual and gender balanced staff with the skills, competencies and valued orientation required to carry out the mandate and operations of the Foundation.
  • Establish systematic and transparent recruitment and selection procedures, assisting in the selection of key staff.
  • Facilitate job analysis and drawing up of job profiles together with line managers.
  • Assist and guide management in the development of staffing plans and advise on succession planning.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Develop compensation policies and procedures in line with comparator practices for presentation to and approval by the Executive Board and develop subsequent systems to support these policies.
  • Maintain regular contacts with comparator organizations and participate in ‘like organizations’ surveys to ensure competitive compensation and benefit plans.
  • Plan and organize the administration of the Foundation’s job evaluation system and establish a grading system to ensure internal equity of jobs.
  • Monitor the compensation and benefits budget and ensure compliance with established financial standards.

Staff Relations

  • Oversee staff relations and facilitates channeling of staff grievances ensuring that all matters are addressed appropriately.
  • Provide counsel and design interventions to address staff welfare issues.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection will be on a competitive basis and the following minimum qualifications, experience and competencies are required:

  • Advanced degree, (Masters) in Human Resource Management, Occupational Psychology or related management field from a recognised university.
  • 10 years of relevant professional experience with international organisations in Organisational development and Human Resources Management. In-depth knowledge of alignment of human resource management function to strategic direction and objectives;  Practical experience in staff learning and development as well as coaching interventions will be an added advantage.
  • Excellent English and French Language Skills.  Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written, proven ability to clearly and concisely prepare, present, discuss and defend issues, findings and recommendations 
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and possession of a teamwork orientation and ability      to interact harmoniously and effectively with colleagues from diverse disciplines, perspectives, countries and cultures.
  • Ability to make objective decisions and resolve problems, exercising the highest responsibility to handle confidential and sensitive issues in a reasonable and mature manner.
  • Ability to respond to generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations, with tact and emotional maturity without losing focus.
  • High ethical standards, impeccable integrity and a deep sense of fairness. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications, quoting the reference “HR Manager” including curriculum vitae with three (3) referees should be received at the address.

The Executive Secretary

The African Capacity Building Foundation

P.O. Box 1562

HARARE, Zimbabwe

E-mail:  [email protected]

For more details on the Foundation, please visit the ACBF web site at http://www.acbf-pact.org.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

ACBF is a smoke-free environment.’