GBLCAREERS

The Head of Human Resources Nigeria & West Africa Cluster will lead a team of in country/Cluster HR professionals to provide high quality, customer-focused functional support to all teams based in the cluster of countries. Key focus will be on interpretation and tactical application of policy to suit local business needs as well as resolution of complex problems.

Role purpose:
The post holder will support the Human Resources Director by providing operational Human Resources expertise across the broad spectrum of HR activity. This role will support the Human Resource Director to develop strategies, plans, budgets, projects and timelines to deliver the people and business plan. The role will be key to ensuring that the Human Resource services provided in the West Africa Cluster are consistent with global Human Resource policies and processes, reflect local policy frameworks, and are high quality and efficient.

The Opportunity:
The post holder will report to the SSA Human Resource Director and will work closely with the other members of the regional HR team, who provide senior HR expertise to the region. S/he will also need to engage with Human Resource leaders in the global and regional Centres of Expertise and Strategic Business Units to ensure alignment of frameworks, policies, casework and core standards and ensure HR/business insights and knowledge is shared.
S/he will be working in a context with varying degrees of complexity in the external Human Resource regulatory environment, geopolitical stability, talent availability and cultural difference. Part of the complexity of the role will be to navigate these complexities to ensure the best balance between global, regional and country requirements. See highlights of Accountabilities:

Consultancy and high quality HR Service:
Deploys a range of HR specialist or bespoke approaches to support the provision of high quality services and advice
Lead and co-ordinate the regional annual people cycle, for performance management, talent management, succession planning, learning and development etc., engaging and communicating with key stakeholders to deliver in line with British Council timelines, policies and processes
Manages health and well being of Regional employees, in conjunction with the Regional Wellbeing, Employee Relations and International Mobility Team leads as required
Works with International Mobility Team and Group Employment Tax Specialist to organise support for globally mobile staff in region, e.g. advice on ER, mobility packages, employee tax support, etc.
In conjunction with Regional and Country Leadership Teams manage emergency planning and contingency and execute on withdrawal policy and procedures.

Leadership and business partnering – Internal customer focus
As a member of the Custer and regional HR Leadership Team, contribute to the development of the HR strategy, budgets and people plans for the region & cluster – sharing expertise and learning and ensuring an integrated approach to delivering high impact HR advice and quality service delivery across the region.
Builds an in-depth understanding of the particular business and operational context, opportunities and challenges facing operations and management, to ensure the development of new practices based on informed business insight and joined-up thinking. Consults closely with internal customers and other stakeholders to understand current and future business needs, and plans work activities accordingly to ensure the services and advice they provide meets those demands.
Applies advanced HR generalist knowledge to solve a range of complex business issues. Devises non-standard or bespoke analytical approaches to understand complex problems and enable informed business-planning, decision-making and/or the development of new or improved practice
Provides expert HR advice, support and challenge to internal customers and other stakeholders to support the development of high quality, effective and continuously improving business practices within their area of functional expertise, ensuring high quality service is delivered to maximise performance and minimise risks and costs
Service improvement
Identifies and makes recommendations to the Cluster lead and Regional HR Director for improvements to ways of working that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the corporate functional discipline, as well as the operational effectiveness of their internal customers
Makes professional recommendations which have a measurable impact on local business performance in terms of efficiency, quality, reliability, and internal customer satisfaction
Actively champions and monitors staff compliance with the agreed corporate policies and practices relevant to their area of functional expertise. Investigates reasons for non-compliance
Provides specialist expertise advice or ideas into the development and implementation of corporate and regional change projects. Scope, plan, deliver and evaluate HR/OD and change projects / initiatives, working closely with global and regional CoE’s leads and regional / country HR, Resourcing and Reward leads as required.
Distils complex concepts and analysis into cogent and persuasive business case presentations, which convincingly influence decision-makers about the need for significant changes to policy or practice
Line management and functional expertise
Determines work plans and coordinates input from in country HR professionals to meet specific objectives, line manages HR business partners in Nigeria and Ghana
Providing professional coaching/mentoring to country HR leads, to manage non-routine HR issues or guidance to implement project and change plans
Contributes to the development and delivery of training and guidance of other professionals in the field.
Develops peer/personal networks within and outside the British Council to enhance own knowledge and expertise. Shares expertise and best practice with country HR leads
Build HR, people management and coaching capabilities of regional managers and HR leads, via:
Coaching / guiding and advising in the annual HR people cycle: Resourcing, Induction, ER, Reward, Performance, Talent & Succession management
Providing or sourcing training and development for HR leads and line managers in country to increase capability.
Inducting new HR managers and training new regional staff and country leadership in HR systems and processes
Proactively pursues an annual cycle of formally recognised Continuing Professional Development to maintain and deepen their professional expertise

f you would like to see full details and understand more about this post then please see the documents below:
Head of Human Resources Nigeria & West Africa Cluster.doc
BC Behaviour.pdf
BC Core Skills.pdf
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Further details:
If you are interested in the post and feel that you are suitable for the role, then we would really like to hear from you. Please apply by 10th October 2017 (23:59 UK Time)

Our Equality Commitment: 
Valuing diversity is essential to the British Council’s work. We aim to abide by and promote equality legislation by following both the letter and the spirit of it to avoid unjustified discrimination, recognising discrimination as a barrier to equality of opportunity, inclusion and human rights. All staff worldwide are required to ensure their behaviour is consistent with our policies, and Human Resource as a function is absolutely committed to this.

The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and is keen to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. In line with the British Council’s Child Protection policy, any appointment is contingent on thorough checks. In the UK, and in other countries where appropriate systems exist, these include criminal records checks.
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