Nova Pioneer, a mission-driven education organization, is hiring a Kenya Talent Lead to oversee and drive people strategy across its Kenyan operations. This full-time HR leadership role, based in Nairobi, is ideal for an experienced human resources professional passionate about recruitment excellence, compliance, and talent development in an education-focused environment.
Role Overview
The Kenya Talent Lead will head the Talent function in Kenya, working closely with the regional leadership team and partnering with the South Africa Talent Team to ensure alignment of systems, policies, and practices. The role covers recruitment, HR operations, employee relations, payroll, performance management, and team leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Recruitment & Employer Branding
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Lead recruitment across all campuses, ensuring timely hiring of high-quality talent
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Develop and execute annual recruitment strategies aligned with business goals
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Partner with school leaders and hiring managers to plan and manage hiring needs
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Design and improve recruitment systems, tools, and selection processes
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Use recruitment analytics and data-driven insights for decision-making
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Lead leadership-level hiring and support managers in final hiring decisions
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Manage employer brand presence on platforms such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor
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Coordinate onboarding programs and maintain an excellent candidate experience
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Manage referral programs and coordinate payouts with the Finance team
HR Operations & Compliance
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Ensure compliance with Kenyan labour laws and statutory bodies including NEA, WIBA, TSC, and NITA
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Lead development, review, and communication of HR policies and SOPs
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Maintain accurate employee records and HRIS data for audit readiness
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Conduct regular HR audits and compliance checks
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Facilitate training on sensitive HR policies and workplace standards
Employee Relations & Performance Management
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Chair disciplinary hearings and advise leadership on employee relations matters
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Represent Nova Pioneer in litigation cases alongside legal counsel
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Support redundancy processes and labour inspections
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Partner with leaders to drive performance management and talent development
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Facilitate leadership and professional development training programs
Payroll, Compensation & Benefits
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Lead payroll administration and audits in collaboration with Finance
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Support compensation benchmarking and benefits reviews
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Coordinate wellness initiatives and medical campaigns across campuses
Team Leadership
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Recruit, coach, and manage the Kenya Talent team
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Build systems and processes to strengthen HR effectiveness
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Support budgeting and HR cost tracking
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Coordinate team-building initiatives and leadership offsites
Qualifications & Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field
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Master’s degree in HR, Business, or Management is an added advantage
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5–7 years’ experience in recruitment and HR leadership (education sector preferred)
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Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and analytical skills
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Demonstrated commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability
Job Location
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Nairobi, Kenya
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Nova Pioneer careers portal.
