The posting
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
HR Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement the HR strategy and annual people plan aligned with business objectives and operational requirements in The Gambia.
- Lead the People & Culture function, establishing clear processes, policies, controls, and service standards.
- Advise management on workforce planning, talent management, organizational design, and people risks.
- Ensure HR activities are conducted ethically, transparently, and in accordance with company policies and applicable Gambian labour laws.
- Develop HR budgets and monitor expenditure against approved plans.
Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
- Manage end-to-end recruitment activities, including job analysis, requisition review, job descriptions, sourcing, screening, interviewing, selection, and onboarding.
- Develop and maintain a talent pipeline for critical roles and succession planning.
- Ensure recruitment processes are fair, transparent, and aligned with diversity and inclusion objectives.
- Coordinate with recruitment agencies and training institutions where required.
- Maintain complete and accurate recruitment documentation and audit trails.
Employee Relations & Engagement
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.
- Foster a positive workplace culture through employee engagement initiatives, feedback mechanisms, and recognition programs.
- Conduct regular employee engagement surveys and develop action plans based on results.
- Manage employee communication channels and ensure timely dissemination of company information.
- Promote a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
Performance Management & Development
- Develop, implement, and manage the performance management framework, including goal setting, appraisals, and development plans.
- Conduct performance reviews and provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance-related matters.
- Identify training needs and coordinate learning and development programs for employees.
- Support career development and succession planning initiatives.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training and development interventions.
Compensation Benefits & HR Administration
- Develop, implement, and manage competitive compensation and benefits programs aligned with market benchmarks and company policy.
- Manage payroll processing, statutory deductions, and employee benefits administration in coordination with Finance.
- Maintain accurate employee records, HR databases, and personnel files.
- Ensure timely and accurate HR reporting, including headcount, turnover, absenteeism, and other key metrics.
- Manage employee contracts, offer letters, and other HR documentation.
Compliance, Risk & Reporting
- Ensure HR activities comply with company policies, delegated authorities, contractual requirements, and applicable Gambian labour laws.
- Maintain HR records to support internal and external audits.
- Identify and mitigate HR risks, including legal claims, employee disputes, compliance breaches, and talent shortages.
- Prepare regular HR reports covering headcount, turnover, recruitment, training, and key risks.
- Support investigations and corrective actions relating to HR irregularities.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Ensure accurate use of HRIS, payroll, and other HR systems where applicable.
- Improve HR workflows, controls, reporting, and automation.
- Develop standard HR templates, performance evaluation tools, and engagement dashboards.
- Promote best practices and HR capability development across relevant teams.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the Country Director / Managing Director.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development, or a related field. A Master's degree is an advantage.
- Professional HR certification such as CIPD, SHRM, HRCI, or equivalent is required or strongly preferred.
- Fluency in French is required; strong English communication skills are an advantage.
Experience
- Minimum of 7–10 years' experience in human resources management, people operations, or organizational development.
- At least 3–5 years in an HR management or senior HR role, preferably within a large, multinational, infrastructure, services, construction, waste management, or operational environment.
- Demonstrated experience in recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, training and development, and HR compliance.
- Experience managing HR operations in The Gambia or a comparable West African market, with knowledge of local labour laws and regulatory environments.
- Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (Oracle HCM, etc.) and strong Microsoft Office capability.
- Experience managing multiple sites, diverse teams, and competing operational priorities.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong people management, employee relations, and talent acquisition skills.
- Excellent French communication skills, both written and spoken.
- Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
- High level of integrity, confidentiality, attention to detail, and commitment to ethical HR practices.
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage deadlines, and make sound people decisions.
- Proactive mindset with strong risk-management and continuous-improvement orientation.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a positive workplace culture.
- Strong coaching, mentoring, and leadership capabilities.
- Proficiency in HRIS, payroll software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
