HR Manager - Rest of Africa (French speaking)

MECS Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

An international recruitment company is seeking an HR Manager to align HR strategies with business objectives across Africa. The ideal candidate will manage talent acquisition, employee development, and compliance, requiring proven HR experience in the region and proficiency in both English and French. Responsibilities include driving performance management systems, overseeing HR policies, and ensuring compliance with local labour laws.

Qualifications

• Proven HR management experience across Western, Central, and Eastern Africa.
• Solid understanding of regional labour legislation and compliance.
• Experience in building or structuring HR departments.

Responsibilities

• Partner with regional leadership to deliver HR strategies aligned with business plans.
• Manage and implement talent acquisition and onboarding initiatives.
• Drive implementation of a performance management system.

Skills

Bilingual fluency in English and French

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking capabilities

Strategic mindset

Adaptability

Education

Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

HRIS platforms (e.g., Sage People)

Microsoft Office

Job description

The role is instrumental in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, with a strong focus on talent acquisition, employee development, compliance and performance management. The successful candidates will have a proven track record in managing HR functions across Western, Central and Eastern Africa.

Duties

• Partner with regional leadership to deliver HR strategies aligned with business plans.
• Manage and implement talent acquisition, onboarding, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Lead employee development and training strategies to close skills gaps and support career growth.
• Drive implementation of a performance management system that encourages a culture of high performance.
• Ensure cohesion in employee relations and maintain compliance with local labour laws across African regions.
• Conduct organisational assessments to identify HR capability gaps and implement targeted improvements.
• Establish, review, and ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures aligned with company values.
• Oversee compensation and benefits strategies that are fair, competitive, and sustainable.
• Guide and support line managers on HR decisions and serve as a mediator for conflict resolution.
• Maintain full statutory compliance with HR-related legislation and monitor regulatory changes.
• Develop a talent pipeline and lead recruitment processes, including role profiling, interviewing, and placement.
• Collaborate with internal teams to foster employee engagement and cultural alignment.
• Provide reports and insights on workforce trends, risks, and people metrics.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven HR management experience across Western, Central, and Eastern Africa (non-negotiable).
• Proficiency in English and French (non-negotiable).
• Experience in building or structuring HR departments and frameworks.
• Solid understanding of regional labour legislation, compliance, and disciplinary procedures.
• Previous experience in the implementation of performance management systems.
• Knowledge of HR technologies, such as Sage People or other HRIS platforms.

Skills

• Bilingual fluency in English and French.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking capabilities.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to operationalise HR plans.
• High adaptability and ability to manage competing priorities across dynamic environments.
• Competence in Microsoft Office and HR software systems.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead, influence, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.