Head of People & Culture

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field
  
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive HR leadership experience
  
• At least 5 years in a direct global or regional HR leadership role overseeing multiple countries
  
• Mandatory legal/contracts expertise: Proven, hands-on experience independently reviewing, drafting, and managing employment and consulting contracts under U.S. (Federal/State), Kenyan, and South African legal frameworks
  
• Global compliance knowledge: In-depth, practical knowledge of employment laws, regulatory compliance, and labor practices in the U.S., East Africa, and Southern Africa
  
• Strategic systems skills: Proven experience in selecting, implementing, and leveraging a global HRIS (Human Resources Information System) and HR analytics
  
• Leadership & communication: Exceptional leadership, influence, and communication skills with ability to operate at board, executive, and field staff levels across cultures
  
• Location: Based in Nanyuki, Kenya (full-time, onsite)
  
• Experience designing and implementing succession planning and leadership development programs
  
• Experience creating career pathing frameworks across technical and managerial tracks
  
• Track record of establishing global HR metrics and analytics dashboards for data-informed decision-making
  
• Experience managing HR for 501(c)(3) organizations including understanding of related compliance rules
  
• Knowledge of data protection/GDPR requirements as they apply to global HR data
  
• Non-profit or mission-driven organization experience (highly preferred in the advert)
  
• Experience scaling HR functions in a high-growth international organization
  
• International professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR)
  
• Experience working in conservation, climate action, international development, or related fields
  
• Proven experience managing employee relations including dispute resolution, disciplinary processes, and complex cross-cultural employee issues
  
• Demonstrated success in global talent acquisition for diverse roles (conservation, technology, finance, and field operations)
  

Strategic HR Leadership & Global Framework:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global HR strategy aligned with Natural State's 3-year strategic plan and mission.
  
• Design and implement standardized, yet locally adaptable, HR policies, processes, and systems (HRIS) across all entities (Kenya, U.S., South Africa, and future locations).
  
• Establish and monitor key global HR metrics and analytics to drive data-informed decision-making on talent, engagement, and organizational health.
  
• Lead global HR projects, including HRIS implementation, compensation benchmarking, and talent management framework development.
  

Talent Acquisition, Management & Development:

• Design and oversee a global talent acquisition strategy to attract diverse, high-caliber professionals in conservation, technology, finance, and field operations.
  
• Drive the development and implementation of a global performance management system, succession planning, and leadership development programs.
  
• Create and manage career pathing and professional development initiatives that support staff growth across technical and managerial tracks.
  
• Foster a strong talent pipeline and internal mobility to support organizational scaling.
  

Global Compliance, Contracts & Employee Relations:

• Mandatory Expertise: Serve as the ultimate internal authority on employment law and contract management across key jurisdictions: United States (Federal & State), Kenya, and South Africa. This includes the independent review, drafting, and standardization of all employment, consulting, and service provider contracts.
  
• Ensure 100% compliance with all local labor laws, regulations (including 501(c)(3) rules, data protection/GDPR), and best practices in every country of operation.
  
• Develop and manage a robust global employee relations framework, providing direct guidance and support to management on complex issues, dispute resolution, and disciplinary processes.
  
• Identify, assess, and mitigate HR-related risks across the global portfolio.
  

Mandatory Expertise: Compensation & Rewards; Culture & Engagement:

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing global HR team, comprising country HR managers, generalists, and coordinators.
  
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Vice President, Senior Management Team, and Board of Directors on all people-related matters.
  
• Partner closely with global department heads (Finance, Programs, Technology) to understand their goals and provide integrated HR solutions.