People Advisor MEA

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

People Advisor - Middle East & Africa

Role Purpose

The People Advisor will support the hub Lead People Advisor, Cluster Leads and Country Directors and SBU leads and teams through the delivery of legally and culturally compliant advice and guidance, across the broad spectrum of People function activity, to support efficient and effective business operations and an improved employee experience. Through coaching and advice, they will contribute to building the confidence of line managers to address people-related challenges and to the early resolution of workplace conflict. The role will be key to ensuring that the People function services provided are consistent with global HR policies and processes, reflect local policy frameworks, and are high quality and efficient.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Subject expertise

• Advise and guide line managers (across a range of countries) to manage all aspects of the employee life cycle, so that the EVP is delivered and experienced within the organisation.
• Apply People function technical and professional knowledge, recognised best practice approaches and insight from previous experience to resolve non -standard issues.
• Manage and advise on discipline and conduct related issues, up to and including dismissal by reference to policy and local legislation and working with ER/case management team on medium and high-risk cases as required.

Internal customer focus

• Consult closely with internal customers and other stakeholder to understand current and future business needs and plans work activities accordingly to ensure the services and advice provided meet those demands.

Service improvement

• Provide expert HR advice informed by local labour laws and other relevant regulations, support and challenge to internal customers and other stakeholders to support the development of high quality, effective and continuously improving business practices within their area of expertise, ensuring high quality service is delivered to maximise performance and minimise risks and costs.
• Make professional recommendations to resolve specific or localised People function issues and offer ideas which contribute to the development of wider solutions to broader business challenges and problems.
• Participate as part of a team to support implementation the people component of corporate or regional change projects.

Minimum requirements:

• Demonstrable experience in a generalist or specialist People function Advisory role across a number of countries in the Hub (e.g. - Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda etc); and/or a large complex country and well versed in all areas of the People function life cycle. 

Desirable:

• Desirable - HR qualification (MA/MSC or CIPD or equivalent)

Further Information

• Pay Band – 7
• Salary: KES 512 008 plus benefits
• Contract Type: Indefinite
• Department: Advisory and Operations
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Language requirements: Written and verbal English

• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
• Closing Date: 21 October 2024 applications will close 23:59 South Africa Time

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.