Human Resources Director

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Programs – Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

The Human Resources Director for the ACHIVE Malawi buy in, based in Lilongwe, holds a vital leadership role in the strategic management and oversight of the People Management function for the project. The activity in Malawi will align with ACHIEVE’s overall strategic objectives which include achieving and maintaining HIV/AIDS epidemic control among pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and adolescents and improving integrated maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition services. The activity will be implemented in Zomba, Thyolo, Karonga, and Balaka districts with limited focus also at a national level possible. In close coordination with the Ministry of Health, ACHIEVE will support the availability of integrated, quality lifesaving services to women, newborns, and children at community and facility levels; expand the availability of lifesaving HIV services by strengthening the integration of HIV services in ANC platforms, among others; and strengthen subnational health management teams to plan, manage, monitor, and evaluate their health programs. The HR Director will focus on both operational execution and strategic vision, aligning HR systems and teams to provide high-quality support to employees at all levels.

As a trusted advisor and thought partner for the Pact Malawi Country Office and ACHIEVE Malawi senior leadership team, the HR Director will collaborate with Pact Malawi Senior leadership, ACHIEVE Global teams, and the Global Human Resources team in the Pact Washington D.C. office, as well as other key external stakeholders and entities to align HR strategies, policies, and practices with the project’s objectives. 

In the role of a strategic business partner, the HR Director will ensure efficient and compliant HR services are delivered to support the Pact Malawi Country Office and the Malawi ACHIEVE buy-in. The HR Director will play a critical role in fostering a positive, collaborative work environment, actively contributing to the organization’s overall success by aligning HR strategy with broader business goals.

Strategic Leadership & Partnering 

• Developing, implementing, and monitoring HR strategies aligned with the Pact Malawi Country Office and ACHIEVE buy-in objectives, values, and culture. This includes creating HR policies, procedures, and initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
• Provide HR technical input in the Pact Malawi strategy development process; align HR department’s annual performance goals with the Pact Malawi’s Strategy and Plan.
• Deliver HR operational excellence, serving as a strategic business partner to the ACHIEVE Malawi Project Director, the Senior Management Team, other Pact Malawi Senior staff, line managers and all employees.
• Provide leadership, management, direction, and vision to the Human Resources team of the Pact Malawi Country Office.
• Stay current with emerging and ongoing Human Resources initiatives in the Pact Washington D.C. office; provide HR strategic input into the development of Global Human Resources Initiatives.
• Utilize global HR subject matter expertise to provide support and backup on strategic HR initiatives, identify gaps, and define short and long-term objectives for Pact Malawi human resource delivery.
• Lead the design of HR data reporting, dashboards, and methods for tracking information that delivers actionable insights.
• Lead the effort to analyze HR data and identify trends and patterns to identify gaps and priorities, especially in the areas of workforce management, performance management, and workforce planning.
• Keep abreast of Malawi labor laws and legislation; provide technical guidance to all stakeholders on issues and changes in statutory requirements for management decision-making in the Pact Country Office.
• Manage relationships with the Ministry of Labour and other service providers.
• Ensure the coordination of a Pact Malawi country process of assessing and maintaining high levels of employee engagement including coordinating and monitoring the implementation of staff engagement action plans.
• Partner with operations/security on the duty of care and business continuity.

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Responsible for managing employee relations issues such as conflict resolution, disciplinary action, and employee grievances. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure a positive work environment and maintaining positive employee relations in the Pact Malawi Country Office.
• Promote a healthy and open culture through multiple channels, including regular office-wide staff meetings as well as informal Project gatherings and events.
• Contribute thought leadership to change management and internal communications initiatives.
• Facilitate employee relations issues through the creation and administration of appropriate policies, procedures, structures, and staff awareness.
• Oversee employee relations issues; provide guidance to managers, review draft communications, participate in investigations, and engage with the attorney as needed.
• Lead the timely response to internal audit findings ensuring follow-up and corrective action.
• Oversee development and revision of Human Resource policies and procedures that meet the needs of the office, that are compliant with the appropriate local labor environment and donor regulations, that are contextualized to local culture; and that meet the employment standards and guidelines established by Pact.

Talent Acquisition and Management; Training and Development

• Lead workforce planning initiatives. This includes developing and implementing talent acquisition strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent and designing effective recruitment processes, managing the Pact employer brand, developing job descriptions, selecting candidates, and conducting interviews.
• Manage rapid start-up activities, ensuring that staff are hired and onboarded according to Pact Malawi’s project work plans and timelines.
• Responsible for designing and implementing training and development programs in the Pact Malawi County Officer to enhance employee skills, knowledge, and productivity. This includes identifying training needs, designing and delivering training programs, and assessing the effectiveness of training programs.
• Oversee the creation of talent development and management strategies for the Pact Malawi Country Office
• Provide oversight to training and development initiatives of the Pact Malawi Country Office.

Performance Management

• Responsible for implementing performance management processes that align with the Pact Malawi Country Office objectives, values, and culture. This includes providing guidance for setting goals, providing regular feedback, conducting performance reviews, and identifying development opportunities.
• Provide oversight for the implementation and ongoing administration of the Project performance management system. Provide leadership guidance to the HR Department team to develop tools to assist line managers with their supervisory and leadership responsibilities.
• Manage the annual compensation process; partner with project and Country leadership and Regional HR Manager to determine annual salary increases, promotions, and other compensation related.
• Facilitate staff training on performance management administration and Pact’s Global Performance Management System Inspire.
• Line manages direct reports in accordance with Pact’s performance management framework, including the setting of annual performance goals, annual performance development plans, annual and mid-term appraisals, and regular monthly 1:1 meetings regarding progress throughout the year. Conduct weekly staff meetings and oversee time and attendance and work planning. Build capacity of HR staff.

Compensation and Benefit Management 

• Responsible for designing and implementing compensation and benefits programs that align with the Pact Malawi Country Office’s objectives, values, and culture. This will include designing the Pact Malawi Country Office salary structures, administering employee benefits, and monitoring market trends in Malawi.
• Lead and provide technical oversight for the development and ongoing administration of a market-competitive compensation program through job grading, salary surveys, and benchmarking.
• Develop and/or annually review a compensation and benefits strategy that attracts high-quality candidates, promotes retention, and recognizes performance.
• Advise senior leadership and line managers on job changes including promotions, demotions, reclassifications, and in-grade salary adjustments ensuring compliance with Pact Policy.
• Review and approve monthly payroll before submission for approval to the ACHIEVE Malawi Project Director.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives that promote a diverse and inclusive workplace in the Pact Malawi Country Office. This includes designing and implementing diversity and inclusion programs, monitoring progress, and assessing the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion programs at the Pact Malawi Country Office.

• Master’s degree and 9+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 5 years of management experience.
• Other local education and experience: Human Resources, Business Management, SHRM certification preferred.
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years of management experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of HR principles, practices, and legal requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong leadership, team-building, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience in change management and organizational development.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Navigate time-sensitive work with professionalism and care.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience in the health or development sector is a plus.
• Familiarity with USAID-funded projects and PEPFAR programs.
• Experience working in international or multi-cultural settings.
• Certification in HR management from a recognized institution.
• Country Nationals are encouraged to apply.