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
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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.