L&D/HR Specialist

j. awan & partners; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic consulting firm in South Africa seeks an experienced L&D/HR Specialist to manage HR operations, ensure compliance with labor laws, and drive employee engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in HR, with a focus on learning and development, and will support the Group Senior Manager in executing strategic HR functions. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing international team.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of progressive HR experience with exposure to HR operations, compliance, and L&D.
• Strong knowledge of South African labour laws and HR compliance.
• Experience designing and executing L&D and engagement programs.

Responsibilities

• Support the Group Senior Manager in driving HR initiatives.
• Manage the full HR lifecycle for the South Africa office.
• Ensure compliance with South African labour laws.

Skills

HR expertise

Analytical thinking

Communication

Coaching & facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

HRIS

ATS systems

Job description

Job Title: L&D/HR Specialist

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Group Senior Manager

Location: Cape town, South Africa

Direct Reports: N/A

About j. awan & partners

At j. awan & partners, we believe in “challenging the status quo every day”, delivering seamless excellence to our customers across the world. We challenge the status quo by making tailor‑made solutions to meet the specific requirements of our client’s business interests and delivering our solutions to their needs with effective simplicity. We understand that time is precious and as such our tailor‑made solutions are simple to understand, simple to embed and simple to use.

We are a fast‑growing international Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Consultancy with our headquarters in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). We also have our own Technology company creating bespoke cutting‑edge RegTech solutions. Our business presence covers multiple jurisdictions with offices in the UAE, KSA, UK & Ireland, Singapore, Porto, Pakistan, Qatar and now in South Africa. We provide Regulatory Governance, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Recruitment and Technology services (the “Services”) to a large number of clients including global, regional and local financial services institutions, governments and other industry partners. As part of our global expansion, we are offering an exciting opportunity to join our fast‑growing international team as we establish our new office in South Africa. This role presents a chance to play a pivotal part in shaping our regional presence and contributing to our continued global success.

Purpose of the Role

To support the Group Senior Manager – HRBP in driving and executing strategic and operational HR initiatives across the organization, ensuring that the HR function delivers business‑aligned results. This role is responsible for managing the full HR lifecycle for the South Africa office including recruitment, employee engagement, learning & development, compliance, and HR operations while ensuring alignment with global HR strategies and adherence to local labour laws.

12–18 Month Mission Outcomes (“What Success Looks Like”)

• Establish HR operations framework and ensure 100% compliance with South African labour laws.
• Full compliance achieved, zero labour non‑compliance issues reported.
• Successfully implement global HRBP initiatives locally, including performance and learning programs.
• 90%+ participation and completion rate in key HR/L&D initiatives.
• Strengthen recruitment and onboarding experience for South Africa office.
• All critical positions filled within target timelines, onboarding satisfaction >90%.
• Embed a performance‑driven culture and streamline HR processes.
• Timely completion of performance reviews with 100% compliance.
• Improve employee engagement and retention.
• Measurable increase in engagement scores; reduced attrition in first 12 months.

Key Responsibilities

Success Indicators

Strategic HR Business Partnering

• Partner with Group Senior Manager HRBP to execute HRBP strategies aligned with business goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders on workforce planning, change management, and talent development.
• Lead development, implementation, and improvement of HR policies and frameworks.
• Drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.
• Strategic HR programs successfully rolled out, positive feedback from leadership and employees.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Manage the end‑to‑end recruitment lifecycle for South Africa.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to define job requirements and manage job postings, sourcing, and selection.
• Oversee the ATS system and recruitment metrics.

All vacancies filled within target time; quality‑of‑hire scores >90%.

HR Operations & Performance Management

• Manage onboarding, confirmations, transfers, and exits with compliance and consistency.
• Support and execute performance management cycles and feedback processes.
• Maintain accurate employee records and documentation.
• 100% compliance in employee files; timely completion of HR cycles; positive employee experience.

Learning & Development

• Conduct learning needs assessments; develop competency frameworks and learning roadmaps; execute a future‑ready L&D strategy aligned with business goals.
• Design, curate, and deliver technical and behavioral learning programs using blended and experiential learning methods.
• Integrate AI and digital learning solutions (LMS, adaptive learning, GPT‑based tools) to enhance learning scalability and personalization.
• Lead workshops, bootcamps, and virtual learning sessions for internal teams and client organizations.
• Monitor learning impact through analytics, dashboards, and feedback loops; recommend data‑driven improvements.

Learning programs implemented with measurable skill improvement through feedback and assessments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Coordinate payroll and benefits administration.
• Ensure statutory compliance and alignment with global compensation structures.
• Payroll accuracy 100%

Compliance & Employee Relations

• Ensure adherence to South African labour laws, HR policies, and internal standards.
• Manage employee relations cases confidentially and fairly.
• Support conflict resolution and disciplinary actions in compliance with legal frameworks.
• No non‑compliance or labour violations, timely resolution of employee issues.

Core Competencies (Universal across A Players)

• Integrity: Demonstrates honesty and ethical conduct even under pressure.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of results, not just activities.
• Resourcefulness: Solves people and process challenges with creativity.
• Team Orientation: Builds trust, collaboration, and open communication.
• Drive for Excellence: Continuously seeks improvement and best practices.

Role‑Specific Competencies

• HR Expertise: Deep understanding of HR operations, compliance, and talent management.
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data to drive HR decisions and track performance.
• Communication: Clear, empathetic, and persuasive communicator across all levels.
• Executional Rigor: Manages multiple priorities efficiently and delivers on time.
• Coaching & Facilitation: Engages and develops talent through effective learning experiences.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of South African labour laws, HR compliance, and statutory reporting.
• Hands‑on experience in HR operations, performance management, and employee relations.
• Proficiency in HRIS and ATS systems.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and communication skills.
• Analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with data‑driven decision‑making.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Experience designing and executing L&D and engagement programs.
• Tech‑savvy with familiarity in AI‑based HR and learning tools.

Education & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience

• 8–10 years of progressive HR experience with strong exposure to HR operations, compliance, and L&D.

Certifications

• HR certifications (e.g., CIPD, SHRM) preferred.

Culture & Values Alignment

• Embody a growth mindset and proactive learning approach.
• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
• Exhibit professional maturity and integrity in handling sensitive issues.
• Build trust and credibility with both leadership and team members.
• Align with j. awan & partners’ core values of Excellence, Integrity, and Innovation.