Background

A kiosk is an informal convenience store selling everyday household items. Known locally by their vernacular names e.g. Duka in Kenya, Spaza in South Africa, Kantemba in Zambia. kiosk-type retail outlets are the cornerstone of African retail, accounting for over 60% of all retail trade flows. Despite their importance, kiosk-type retail outlets face significant challenges, including high cost of stock and unreliable delivery.

Role Profile:

The People Business Partner for Kenya is a strategic leadership role responsible for developing and executing people strategies that are effective, efficient and directly aligned to the country's business objectives. This role requires a high degree of professional integrity, exceptional communication skills, in-depth knowledge of Kenyan labour laws and HR best practices, strong strategic thinking and outstanding organizational abilities.

The People Business Partner will serve as a consultant to senior management on all human resource-related matters, driving initiatives across organizational design, talent acquisition & development, performance management, employee engagement and the enhancement of company culture and policies.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic HR Leadership: Partner with the Country leadership team to develop and implement a localized People Strategy that attracts, develops, motivates and retains top talent. Provide strategic input on workforce planning, budget allocation and organizational design to maximize ROI, reduce attrition and enhance productivity.

Talent Acquisition & Management: Provide broad oversight for all talent acquisition activities in the country. Spearhead the hiring for strategic and managerial roles to ensure a consistent pipeline of high-caliber talent. Take full ownership of the pre-boarding and onboarding experience, ensuring new hires are effectively integrated into the company.

HR Operations & Compliance: Oversee the entire employee lifecycle, ensuring seamless HR operations. Champion the digitization and modernization of HR systems (e.g., HRIS, Payroll). Ensure full compliance with all Kenyan labour laws and statutory regulations (NITA, NSSF, SHA, etc.). Treat employees as internal customers, providing timely support on day-to-day queries regarding benefits and policies.

Culture & Employee Relations: Act as the custodian of company culture, driving initiatives that foster an empowered, inclusive and high-performing work environment. Proactively manage employee relations, mediate disputes and forecast future ER needs. Partner with leadership to embed company values and ensure effective communication and collaboration across all levels.

Performance & Learning Development: Manage the end-to-end performance management cycle for the country. Guide managers on goal setting, reviews, evaluations and constructive feedback. Oversee the creation and execution of targeted L&D programs, workshops and trainings to address skill gaps and support professional growth.

Compensation & Benefits Management: Develop and oversee a competitive and equitable remuneration strategy for Kenya. Conduct regular benchmarking against the local market to ensure attractiveness. Manage the annual salary review process and advise leadership on compensation issues.

Succession Planning: Work with department heads to identify critical roles and develop robust succession plans. Facilitate the identification and development of high-potential employees to ensure business continuity and readiness for future challenges.

Reporting & Analytics: Develop and present comprehensive weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual HR reports to functional and operational leadership. Utilize HR metrics and data analytics to provide insights on trends and inform strategic decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications & Desired Skills:

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive, inter-functional experience in Human Resources.
• At least 4 years of experience in a senior HR generalist or business partner role, preferably within the FMCG, retail, technology, or a fast-paced startup environment.
• Demonstrated experience in HR Information Systems (HRIS) implementation and management.
• Proven ability to articulate a clear vision and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Deep understanding of Kenyan employment law and best practices.
• Proven experience in coaching, mentoring and leading teams.
• A calm, resilient, and insightful disposition, with proven success operating in VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environments.

Competencies & Key Skills:

• Strategic Thinking & Leadership
• Business Acumen
• Stakeholder Management & Influence
• Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Change Management
• Project and Time Management
• Cultural Leadership
• Tech Savviness

• Partner with the Country leadership team to develop and implement a localized People Strategy that attracts, develops, motivates and retains top talent.
• Provide strategic input on workforce planning, budget allocation and organizational design to maximize ROI, reduce attrition and enhance productivity.
• Provide broad oversight for all talent acquisition activities in the country.
• Spearhead the hiring for strategic and managerial roles to ensure a consistent pipeline of high-caliber talent.
• Take full ownership of the pre-boarding and onboarding experience, ensuring new hires are effectively integrated into the company.
• Oversee the entire employee lifecycle, ensuring seamless HR operations.
• Champion the digitization and modernization of HR systems (e.g., HRIS, Payroll).
• Ensure full compliance with all Kenyan labour laws and statutory regulations (NITA, NSSF, SHA, etc.).
• Treat employees as internal customers, providing timely support on day-to-day queries regarding benefits and policies.
• Act as the custodian of company culture, driving initiatives that foster an empowered, inclusive and high-performing work environment.
• Proactively manage employee relations, mediate disputes and forecast future ER needs.
• Partner with leadership to embed company values and ensure effective communication and collaboration across all levels.
• Manage the end-to-end performance management cycle for the country.
• Guide managers on goal setting, reviews, evaluations and constructive feedback.
• Oversee the creation and execution of targeted L&D programs, workshops and trainings to address skill gaps and support professional growth.
• Develop and oversee a competitive and equitable remuneration strategy for Kenya.
• Conduct regular benchmarking against the local market to ensure attractiveness.
• Manage the annual salary review process and advise leadership on compensation issues.
• Work with department heads to identify critical roles and develop robust succession plans.
• Facilitate the identification and development of high-potential employees to ensure business continuity and readiness for future challenges.
• Develop and present comprehensive weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual HR reports to functional and operational leadership.
• Utilize HR metrics and data analytics to provide insights on trends and inform strategic decision-making.

• Strategic Thinking & Leadership
• Business Acumen
• Stakeholder Management & Influence
• Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Change Management
• Project and Time Management
• Cultural Leadership
• Tech Savviness

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• A valid Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-K) certification is mandatory.
• A Master’s degree in HR, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field is a strong advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive, inter-functional experience in Human Resources.
• At least 4 years of experience in a senior HR generalist or business partner role, preferably within the FMCG, retail, technology, or a fast-paced startup environment.
• Demonstrated experience in HR Information Systems (HRIS) implementation and management.
• Proven ability to articulate a clear vision and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Deep understanding of Kenyan employment law and best practices.
• Proven experience in coaching, mentoring and leading teams.
• A calm, resilient, and insightful disposition, with proven success operating in VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environments.