People and Culture Lead

The Aga Khan Academies are an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of development agencies with mandates spanning environment, health, education, culture, and more. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender.

This position involves providing strategic and operational leadership for the human resources agenda at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor to school leaders on matters of people, culture, organizational effectiveness, and employee experience, while also contributing to broader HR initiatives and projects across Aga Khan Schools in Kenya.

1. Advise the Academy Leadership Team and school leaders on people, culture, and organizational issues.
2. Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and talent acquisition to meet strategic goals.
3. Guide organizational change, focusing on people implications and effectiveness.
4. Drive initiatives to boost employee engagement, wellbeing, psychological safety, and organizational culture.
5. Manage talent, succession planning, leadership development, and training programs.
6. Implement performance management processes, including goal setting and feedback.
7. Offer expert advice on employee relations, grievances, and disciplinary actions, ensuring compliance.
8. Engage in labor relations and support collective bargaining agreements.
9. Lead adult safeguarding efforts and ensure adherence to employment laws and policies.
10. Supervise HR service delivery throughout the employee lifecycle, maintaining consistent standards.
11. Collaborate with the Finance department on payroll, benefits, and confidential employee records.
12. Contribute to Kenya-wide HR strategies and lead specific HR projects as assigned.

1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
2. Master’s degree in HR Management, Organizational Development, Leadership, or Education Management is preferred.
3. Professional HR qualification (e.g., CHRP-K, CIPD, SHRM, HRCI) and full IHRM membership.
4. 8-10 years of progressive HR experience, including 3-5 years in a management or senior HR leadership position.
5. Proven experience collaborating with senior leaders on people and organizational issues, with strong expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and culture building.
6. Experience in leading recruitment, performance management, talent development, organizational change, and HR projects.
7. Desirable experience in an international school, IB environment, educational institution, or mission-driven organization.
8. Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments is an advantage.