drjobs HR Business Partner, SSA

HR Business Partner, SSA

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1 Vacancy
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Job Location drjobs

Midrand - South Africa

Monthly Salary drjobs

Not Disclosed

drjobs

Salary Not Disclosed

Vacancy

1 Vacancy

Job Description

Job Description

Job Purpose

The HR Business Partner will serve as a strategic partner to pharmaceutical business leaders across the Sub-Saharan Africa operations aligning HR strategies with business goals to drive sustainable growth and talent development in a complex and evolving healthcare environment. The role requires a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical sector local labor laws and cultural diversity across African markets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

  • Partner with senior management to develop and execute HR strategies that support business objectives including product development manufacturing sales and distribution.
  • Provide insights on workforce planning to address talent shortages and skill gaps.
  • Support leadership in navigating regulatory requirements related to employment safety and compliance in various African jurisdictions.

Talent Acquisition & Retention

  • Support recruitment strategies targeting specialized pharmaceutical professionals (e.g. pharmacists regulatory affairs specialists clinical research specialists etc.).
  • Develop retention programs to reduce turnover in critical roles considering competitive market conditions.
  • Collaborate with Learning & Development to implement continuous professional development aligned with industry standards and certifications.

Employee Relations & Compliance

  • Ensure adherence to local labor laws pharmaceutical industry regulations and company policies across multiple African countries.
  • Manage employee relations proactively addressing cultural sensitivities and diverse workforce expectations.
  • Facilitate resolution of workplace conflicts disciplinary actions and grievance procedures in a fair and compliant manner.

Organizational Development & Change Management

  • Support organizational design initiatives to optimize pharmaceutical operations and improve cross-functional collaboration.
  • Lead change management efforts during product launches regulatory changes or business expansions.
  • Promote a culture of compliance ethics and patient safety.

Transformation Activities

  • Drive and support large-scale transformation initiatives such as digital HR adoption process reengineering and cultural change programs.
  • Partner with business leaders to identify transformation needs and develop HR interventions that enable agility and innovation.
  • Facilitate workshops communication campaigns and training to embed ways of working
  • Monitor transformation progress through Priorities (KPIs) and employee feedback adjusting strategies to ensure successful adoption.
  • Champion diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as part of broader organizational transformation.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align transformation efforts with business strategy and regulatory requirements.
  • Support on Transformation strategy (BBBEE)

HR Analytics & Reporting

  • Utilize HR data to monitor workforce trends diversity metrics and compliance status across African sites.
  • Provide actionable insights to business leaders to inform decision-making and improve HR effectiveness.
  • Prepare reports for internal stakeholders and external regulatory bodies as required.

Qualifications

Background Requirements

  • Degree in HR related studies (including Labour Relations/Industrial Psychology) or a Commerce related equivalent qualification
  • Post graduate qualification would be advantageous
  • 7 years of experience in an HR Business Partner/Generalist role preferably within a matrix multinational organisation
  • Previous experience working across different markets within Sub-Saharan Africa is required

Functional competencies

  • Interpretation of law and HR policies
  • Knowledge of compensation principles and job evaluation
  • Ability to relate to influence and coach employees at all levels in the organization
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to work well across different functions and locations
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment whilst being able to navigate and guide leaders through a variety of organizational changes

Skills

  • Influencing
  • Execution excellence
  • Change management
  • Business acumen
  • Effective communication skills - written verbal and listening skills
  • Strong Project/Program Management Skills
  • HR analytics and data storytelling
  • Compu Literacy (MS Power Point Excel Word and Outlook)
  • Proven ability to diagnose problems using strategic thinking skills as well as identify and drive appropriate solutions
  • Consulting
  • Project management

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co. Inc. Rahway NJ USA also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Rahway NJ USA does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place introductions are position specific. Please no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Change Management HR Best Practices HR Initiatives Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) Labor and Employment Law Learning and Development (L&D) Organizational Development (OD) Project Management Talent Development Transformation Strategy Workforce Analytics Workforce Planning

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/24/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Employment Type

Full-Time

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