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HR Lead – Academic Division

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contract Type: 3-Year Fixed Term

At Enko Education, we believe that education has the power to transform lives. Following the recent acquisition of Kitengela International Schools (KISC), the Enko Education network has expanded to more than 20 schools across 11 African countries. As a result of this acquisition, KISC has become a proud member of the Enko Education group.

KISC brings with it a strong history of local excellence in both the Competency-Based Education (CBE) and British International Curricula. By joining Enko Education, this established local expertise is combined with the group’s wider international vision and ambition to help African students gain access to some of the world’s best universities.

Enko Education is seeking a dynamic and capable HR Lead to support its academic division as a strategic HR resource. The successful candidate will play an important role in connecting faculty development with the organization’s wider objectives. The position will focus on ensuring that the 222 teachers working across seven campuses are adequately supported, engaged, and enabled to perform effectively.

This is a high-impact position that requires a balance between strong day-to-day HR operations and longer-term strategic talent management initiatives. The HR Lead will work closely with academic leadership and provide support on a wide range of workforce, performance, employee relations, professional development, and organizational matters.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership and Advisory

The HR Lead will work closely with Heads of Schools and department heads to ensure that HR strategies are appropriately aligned with the academic objectives of the schools. This will involve understanding the needs of the academic division and ensuring that HR support contributes effectively to the achievement of school and organizational goals.

The role will also involve acting as a trusted HR advisor to senior academic staff. The successful candidate will provide guidance on matters including workforce planning, interpretation of HR policies, and organizational change. This requires the ability to provide practical advice while maintaining fairness, consistency, and alignment with established policies and objectives.

Another responsibility will be assisting with the preparation and management of the academic HR budget. The HR Lead will ensure that HR-related financial planning is consistent with the financial objectives of the schools.

Talent Acquisition and Management

The HR Lead will oversee the complete recruitment and onboarding process for academic employees. This includes ensuring that the schools attract and select high-quality candidates while maintaining an efficient recruitment process and achieving a fast turnaround.

The role will also focus on faculty well-being and employee engagement. The HR Lead will drive initiatives designed to strengthen the overall employee experience, support faculty welfare, and encourage staff retention. A key objective will be maintaining a stable retention rate, with a target attrition level of below 10%.

Performance and Professional Development

The HR Lead will be responsible for harmonizing performance appraisal tools across the different schools. The current performance management systems will need to transition toward the Enko model, ensuring greater consistency in how faculty performance is assessed and managed.

The position will also involve conducting training needs analyses to identify professional development requirements among academic staff. Based on these needs, the HR Lead will facilitate appropriate professional development opportunities, including workshops and seminars that are aligned with Enko Education’s quality standards.

In addition, the HR Lead will coordinate and implement the first formal performance reviews for Heads of Schools and their Deputies. This responsibility will require effective coordination and implementation of the performance review process.

Employee Relations and Safeguarding

Managing employee relations will be an important part of the position. The HR Lead will handle faculty grievances, conflict resolution, and disciplinary matters with fairness, professionalism, and a high level of emotional intelligence.

The successful candidate will also serve as a champion for Child Safeguarding policies. This will include helping ensure that all members of staff understand their responsibilities relating to the duty of care, student welfare, and safeguarding.

The role therefore requires someone who can approach sensitive employee matters calmly and fairly while maintaining the standards expected within a highly regulated educational environment.

HR Operations and Analytics

The HR Lead will maintain accurate records relating to faculty members and oversee important administrative HR functions. These responsibilities will include areas such as health insurance schemes and staff welfare activities.

The position will also require the effective use of HR data and digital tools. The HR Lead will use systems such as Personio and MZZ to generate and interpret HR reports. Relevant metrics will include employee turnover, diversity, and satisfaction.

The information generated through HR analytics will be used to support executive decision-making and provide a clearer understanding of workforce trends across the academic division.

Your Profile: Who Are We Looking For?

Expertise

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five years of HR experience, including at least three years in a senior or managerial position. The individual should also have regular experience interacting with C-level leadership and be comfortable operating at a senior level within an organization.

Certification

Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Membership in good standing with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) and possession of CHRP Kenya are also required.

Mindset

The successful candidate should be a professional who can operate effectively with minimal supervision and adapt quickly to the requirements of the role. The position calls for someone who is empathetic while also being assertive when necessary.

The HR Lead should be able to remain calm, practical, and effective in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment. The ability to balance employee needs with organizational requirements will be important in carrying out the responsibilities of the position.

Skills

Strong analytical abilities are required for this position. The candidate should be comfortable working with HR information systems and enterprise resource planning systems and should be capable of using HR data to support decision-making.

A demonstrated ability in problem-solving and change management is also required. The successful candidate should be able to understand organizational challenges, contribute to appropriate solutions, and support the implementation of changes within the academic environment.

What’s In It for You?

Joining KISC and Enko Education provides an opportunity to become part of a mission-driven organization that has a direct impact on the future of Africa. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to an organization focused on education while working within an expanding international education group.

Professional Growth

The position provides opportunities for career development and advancement within a rapidly growing international education organization.

Work Environment

Employees will be part of a collaborative, multicultural, and caring working environment. The organization values autonomy, providing professionals with the opportunity to take responsibility within their roles.

Benefits

The benefits package includes health insurance coverage for the employee’s family and significant tuition discounts for employees’ children. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work with a global network of experts.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process begins with the application stage. Candidates are required to submit their applications through the Enko Education career portal and complete the required application form.

Following the application, shortlisted candidates will participate in an initial fit interview with the Enko Education Talent Acquisition team. This stage is intended to provide an opportunity for the team and candidate to get to know each other.

Candidates who progress further will participate in comprehensive internal interviews with the KISC Operational and Leadership teams. Depending on the recruitment process, these interviews may also include a psychometric assessment and a technical case study.

Equal Opportunities and Safer Recruitment

Enko Education is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting inclusivity, diversity, and respect for difference. The organization is committed to creating an environment in which these principles are valued.

Enko Education schools are also committed to child safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All staff, volunteers, and third parties working with the schools are expected to share this commitment.

The organization’s safer recruitment practices are designed to help ensure that individuals who join its schools demonstrate a commitment to child safeguarding. Further information is available in the Enko Education Safer Recruitment Statement.

Before signing an employment contract, successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate or equivalent document from every country in which they have lived during the previous 10 years.

Reference checks will also be conducted with previous employers for every successful candidate as part of the recruitment process.

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