WWF – Director, People & Culture (P&C), Africa by Oxford HR

DIRECTOR, PEOPLE & CULTURE (P&C), AFRICA DECEMBER 2023

ABOUT WWF INTERNATIONAL WWF is an environmental organization that is deeply committed to people-centered nature conservation with the ambition to apply the highest standard of safeguards to protect human rights in all of our work. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. We understand that the future of nature can only be secured when conservation is inclusive and people both drives, and benefit from, the protection of natural ecosystems.

HOW WE WORK The deepening crisis of nature loss requires conservation organizations like WWF to think and act bigger and faster – and to work together as never before. Our strong commitment to collaboration– something we call together possible – shapes all our work, leading to many powerful partnerships around the world. And, today, we are part of a growing global coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030: a New Deal for Nature and People as comprehensive as the global climate deal. This ambitious nature recovery plan is supported by our own global goals and programme of work focused on: • Safeguarding the natural world: the oceans, forests, freshwater and rich diversity of wildlife that provide the essentials of life for all. • Challenging the two most urgent threats to nature: climate change and food production. • Tackling the underlying global drivers for the loss of nature: a financial system that must value nature; a governance system that empowers people to lead on nature protection; and markets where sustainable production and consumption must become the norm. You can find out more about WWF International on our website. https://wwf.panda.org/

THE ROLE

ROLE:

Director, P&C, Africa

LOCATION:

Nairobi or Yaoundé

REPORTS TO:

Chief Operations Officer (COO), Africa

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT The Operations Shared Services ensures operational excellence in the functioning of WWF International managed offices in Africa to achieve efficient management of resources needed for WWF to deliver conservation impact at scale. • We empower country offices to be effective, efficient and resilient, fully compliant with local and WWF requirements, managing risks and opportunities through continuous improvement of processes, systems and capacity building; • We are a trusted strategic business partner championing the building of a diverse workforce, empowering employees to reach their full potential in a thriving and inclusive workplace and driving organizational success through strategic talent management and innovative HR practices; • We champion strong financial sustainability and stewardship in all countries while providing assurance on compliance, driving a culture of accountability to donors, partners and other stakeholders through the provision of quality, accessible, relevant and timely financial information to support decision-making at all levels.

RESPONSIBILITIES MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Director P&C Africa has accountability for the execution of the P&C Strategy across Africa Country Offices, in alignment with the overall organisational strategy for WWF International. The role reports to the COO Africa, and partners closely with the Regional Director, Congo Basin and the Regional Director, East and Southern Africa in support of strategic operational and conservation objectives. The Director advises and coaches senior regional leadership in key areas such as talent management, including identifying current and future people implications. The role works collaboratively with the global P&C centres of excellence (Talent Attraction, People Development, Compensation & Benefits etc), and other Regional P&C to develop and deliver integrated P&C solutions, including workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development, to drive organisational impact and performance and create the enabling conditions to effectively deliver WWF International’s overall purpose and vision within Africa Country Offices.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the COO Africa to improve people-related priorities across Country Offices in Africa. • Advise Country Directors and senior leaders with strategic workforce/succession planning and talent identification, forecasting needs and capacity gaps. • Provides assistance and guidance to line management on a broad range of people & culture issues, development & learning programs, and best practices. • Coach function leaders and managers on P&C and people management practice.

• Maintain a deep and up to date understanding of Country Offices in Africa, their functional departments, strategies, and people related issues and proactively advise the Regional leadership group. • Participate in the development of the P&C Africa strategic plan, in alignment with WWF International’s strategy and objectives, and provide functional insights and solutions to Africa people challenges. • Advise and resolve, in consultation with appropriate experts, complex employee relations issues (such as harassment, bullying and discrimination allegations) in a balanced, fair and objective manner, using appropriate counselling, investigative, and intervention and mediation techniques; • Lead, empower and mentor direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, co-creating performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and supporting their overall well-being and professional aspirations. • Proactively provide data analysis and management information for the COO to drive decision making and measure progress. • Engage external partners for knowledge sharing and exchange on best P&C Practice; • Function as key P&C focal point for Africa Country Offices in relation to organizational restructures and change management. • Evaluate the impact of proposed changes on employees, and manage change to minimize disruption to the business. • Actively partner with senior leadership and work with them to collaboratively identify best practice improvements. • Perform other duties as requested by the COO Africa.

CANDIDATE PROFILE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 15 years’ professional experience in varied spectrum of Human Resources/ People & Culture area and Organisation Development, with a minimum of 5 years at a regional level, ideally with experience in dealing with HR/P&C issues and recruitments in different regions globally; • An understanding of overall P&C processes and interlinkages; • Experience using social media and other modern channels in candidates sourcing; • Familiarity and experience with different learning systems, programme design, and facilitation; • Strong business acumen and strategic orientation.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal skills, able to interact with and influence senior management staff in different functional areas in a positive manner and the capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships across the WWF Network and with external partners; • Demonstrable ability at strategic thinking as well as operational skills; • Experience with developing and delivering shared services; Must possess a highly collaborative, inclusive, consultative, and resourceful workstyle that balances required compliance/ policy enforcement with a steadfast commitment to client service and support; • Excellent analytical, project management and organizational skills including detailed work planning and superior time management skills;

• Data driven with ability to produce management information and analyse trends and variations. • Ability to identify, conceptualize and provide pragmatic solutions for different levels of the organization; • High degree of accountability and commitment to excellence; • Ability to drive change and high performance, as well as identify and provide solutions which benefit the organisation; • Decisive, proactive, collaborative and service oriented; • Excellent written and spoken English and French is essential, knowledge of other languages an advantage; • Available to travel as required; • Interest in conservation and WWF’s mission; • Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal – Works closely with the Regional Heads PC Asia Pacific, Europe & North Africa, Executive Director People & Culture, Director Talent Management & Partnership, Director Organisational Culture & Engagement and Foundational Services. Regional Directors and Country Directors. • External – Partners with specialist expertise such as legal counsel, executive search firms, OD professionals and consultants. This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

HOW TO APPLY All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter as two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV-122023-WWF or PatJones-CoverLetter-122023-WWF.

TIMELINE

Closing Date: First Stage Interviews: Final Interviews:

4th February 2024 TBC TBC

SELECTION PROCESS

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Equality and diversity are at the core of WWF International’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

QUERIES

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at wwf-directorpc@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

ABOUT OXFORD HR Exceptional leaders can inspire change and propel purpose-led organisations towards reaching their world-changing goals. Finding such leaders can be a challenge; and yet their transition into leadership is vital to an organisations mission and success. Oxford HR is a global leadership consultancy dedicated to searching for and supporting remarkable leaders and teams in purpose-led organisations. We understand the nuances of purpose-led leadership because we’ve worked in organisations across the breadth of the sector ourselves. We’ve also worked with such organisations since 1995; so we appreciate just what benefits impactful people can bring.

Cover Photo Credit © Edouard Tamba © WWF / Ronda Simms © WWF-US / Green Renaissance © WWF-US / Green Renaissance © WWF-Madagascar / Nick Riley © WWF-US / Green Renaissance © WWF © WWF / Frederico Viana © Day’s Edge Productions

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