Human Resource Director

Lusaka, Zambia
negotiable

JOB DETAIL

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Global Human Resources (HR) – Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Global Human Resources team helps realize this objective by fostering a worldwide environment that inspires excellence where initiative, inventiveness, and professional development are encourages. We value innovation in our employees and believe it gives us a competitive advantage in this global marketplace. Our team focuses its resources and efforts on the lifecycle quality of employee activities with ongoing attention to: Employee engagement, professional development, rewards and recognition and organizational culture; Taking what might be complicated, distant, daunting and making it simple, understandable and workable; Finding ways to fulfill our intent for openness, transparency and accessibility of information, rather than control, restriction and containment; Ensuring cross-organizational collaboration, shared success and joint action.

Position Overview

The Human Resources Director for Pact Zambia’s USAID Zambia Integrated Health Activity, based in Lusaka,
holds a vital leadership role in the strategic management and oversight of the People Management function
for the project. The project aims to improve Zambians’ health outcomes by ensuring equitable access to
high-quality, client-centered HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH, and FP services, products, and information, as well as
strengthening the integration of these services. Reporting to the Pact Zambia Country Director / Chief of
Party – USAID Zambia Integrated Health project, the HR Director will lead a team of ten (10) HR
professionals at the Pact Zambia Country office, supporting employees across three (3) provincial offices in
Central, Copperbelt, and North-Western provinces. The HR Director will focus on both operational
execution and strategic vision for the USAID Zambia Integrated Health project, aligning HR systems and
teams to provide high-quality support to employees at all levels.
As a trusted advisor and thought partner for the Pact Zambia Country Office and USAID Zambia Integrated
Health senior leadership team, the HR Director will collaborate with Pact Zambia Senior leadership, Regional
teams, and the Global Human Resources team in the Pact Washington D.C. office, as well as other key
external stakeholders and entities to align HR strategies, policies, and practices with the project’s
objectives.
In the role of a strategic business partner, the HR Director will ensure efficient and compliant HR services
are delivered to support the Pact Zambia Country Office and the USAID Zambia Integrated Health project.
The HR Director will play a critical role in fostering a positive, collaborative work environment, actively
contributing to the organization’s overall success by aligning HR strategy with broader business goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Partnering
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring HR strategies aligned with the
Pact Zambia Country Office and USAID Zambia Integrated Health project
objectives, values, and culture. This includes creating HR policies,
procedures, and initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction,
engagement, and retention.
• Provide HR technical input in the Pact Zambia strategy development
process; align HR department’s annual performance goals with the Pact
Zambia’s and USAID Zambia Integrated Health project Strategy and Plan.
• Deliver HR operational excellence, serving as a strategic business partner
to the Pact Zambia Country Director, the Chiefs of Party/Project Directors
in Pact Zambia, the Senior Management Team, other Pact Zambia Senior
staff, line managers and all employees.
• Provide leadership, management, direction, and vision to the Human
Resources team of the Pact Zambia Country Office/USAID Zambia
Integrated Health project.
• Stay current with emerging and ongoing Human Resources initiatives in
the Pact Washington D.C. office; provide HR strategic input into the
development of Global Human Resources Initiatives.
• Utilize global HR subject matter expertise to provide support and backup
on strategic HR initiatives, identify gaps, and define short and long-term
objectives for Pact Zambia/USAID Zambia Integrated Health human
resource delivery.
• Lead the design of HR data reporting, dashboards, and methods for
tracking information that delivers actionable insights to the USAID Zambia
Integrated Health project.
• Lead the effort to analyze HR data and identify trends and patterns to
identify gaps and priorities, especially in the areas of workforce
management, performance management, and workforce planning.
• Keep abreast of Zambia labor laws and legislation; provide technical
guidance to all stakeholders on issues and changes in statutory
requirements for management decision-making in the Pact Country
Office.
• Manage relationships with the Ministry of Labour, National Pension
Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), (National
Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), and other service
providers.
• Ensure the coordination of a Pact Zambia country process of assessing and
maintaining high levels of employee engagement including coordinating
and monitoring the implementation of staff engagement action plans.
Partner with operations/security on the duty of care and business continuity
2) Employee Relations and Compliance
• Responsible for managing employee relations issues such as conflict
resolution, disciplinary action, and employee grievances. This includes
developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure a positive
work environment and maintaining positive employee relations in the Pact
Zambia Country Office.
• Promote a healthy and open culture through multiple channels, including
regular office-wide staff meetings as well as informal Project gatherings and
events.
• Contribute thought leadership to change management and internal
communications initiatives.
• Facilitate employee relations issues through the creation and administration
of appropriate policies, procedures, structures, and staff awareness.
• Oversee employee relations issues; provide guidance to managers, review
draft communications, participate in investigations, and engage with the
attorney as needed.
• Lead the timely response to internal audit findings ensuring follow-up and
corrective action.
• Oversee development and revision of Human Resource policies and
procedures that meet the needs of the USAID Zambia Integrated Health
Activity , that are compliant with the appropriate local labor environment and
donor regulations, that are contextualized to local culture; and that meet the
employment standards and guidelines established by Pact.
3) Talent Acquisition and Management; Training and Development
• Lead workforce planning initiatives for the Pact Zambia Country Office and the
USAID Zambia Integrated Health Project. This includes developing and
implementing talent acquisition strategies to attract, hire, and retain top
talent and designing effective recruitment processes, managing the Pact
employer brand, developing job descriptions, selecting candidates, and
conducting interviews.
• Manage rapid start-up activities, ensuring that staff are hired and onboarded
according to Pact Zambia’s project work plans and timelines.
• Responsible for designing and implementing training and development
programs in the Pact Zambia County Officer and for the USAID Zambia
Integrated Health project to enhance employee skills, knowledge, and
productivity. This includes identifying training needs, designing and delivering
training programs, and assessing the effectiveness of training programs.
• Oversee the creation of talent development and management strategies for
the Pact Zambia Country Office and the USAID Zambia Integrated Health
project.
• Provide oversight to training and development initiatives of the Pact Zambia
Country Office and the USAID Zambia Integrated Health project.
4) Performance Management
• Responsible for implementing performance management processes that align
with the Pact Zambia Country Office and USAID Zambia Integrated Health
project objectives, values, and culture. This includes providing guidance for
setting goals, providing regular feedback, conducting performance reviews,
and identifying development opportunities.
• Provide oversight for the implementation and ongoing administration of the
Project performance management system. Provide leadership guidance to the
HR Department team to develop tools to assist line managers with their
supervisory and leadership responsibilities.
• Manage the annual compensation process; partner with project and Country
leadership and Regional HR Manager to determine annual salary increases,
promotions, and other compensation related.
• Facilitate staff training on performance management administration and
Pact’s Global Performance Management System Inspire.
• Line manages direct reports in accordance with Pact’s performance
management framework, including the setting of annual performance goals,
annual performance development plans, annual and mid-term appraisals, and
regular monthly 1:1 meetings regarding progress throughout the year.
Conduct weekly staff meetings and oversee time and attendance and work
planning. Build capacity of HR staff.
5) Compensation and Benefit Management
• Responsible for designing and implementing compensation and benefits
programs that align with the Pact Zambia Country Office and the USAID
Zambia Integrated Health project’s objectives, values, and culture. This will
include designing the Pact Zambia Country Office salary structures,
administering employee benefits, and monitoring market trends in Zambia.
• Lead and provide technical oversight for the development and ongoing
administration of a market-competitive compensation program through job
grading, salary surveys, and benchmarking.
• Develop and/or annually review a compensation and benefits strategy that
attracts high-quality candidates, promotes retention, and recognizes
performance.
• Advise senior leadership and line managers on job changes including
promotions, demotions, reclassifications, and in-grade salary adjustments
ensuring compliance with Pact Policy.
• Review and approve monthly payroll before submission for approval to the
Pact Zambia Country Director/ Chief of Party – USAID Zambia Integrated
Health project.
6) Diversity and Inclusion
• Responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion
initiatives that promote a diverse and inclusive workplace in the Pact Zambia
Country Office. This includes designing and implementing diversity and
inclusion programs, monitoring progress, and assessing the effectiveness of
diversity and inclusion programs at the Pact Zambia Country Office.

Basic Requirements

  • Master’s degree and 9+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 5 years of management experience.
  • Other local education and experience: Human Resources, Business Management, SHRM certification preferred.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of HR principles, practices, and legal requirements.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Strong leadership, team-building, and decision-making abilities. Experience in change management and organizational development.
  • Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in the health or development sector is a plus
    Familiarity with USAID-funded projects and PEPFAR programs
    Experience working in international or multi-cultural settings.
  • Certification in HR management from a recognized institution
    Country Nationals are encouraged to apply
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
    Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
    Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills

Zambia, Lusaka

location