Regional People & Culture Director

Role Overview

This senior leadership position leads the People & Culture (P&C) function across a multi-country region, serving microfinance institutions and their boards. Day to day, the role balances strategic direction with hands-on support: guiding local HR teams, advising regional and executive leadership on people decisions, and ensuring employment practices stay aligned with both local law and the organization’s global standards. The work directly shapes organizational culture, talent pipelines, and risk management across the region, ultimately enabling the mission of financial inclusion to be delivered sustainably and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for the regional P&C team, aligning it with global priorities and the specific business needs of each microfinance operation in the region.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Regional Director, boards of directors, and senior management teams on all matters involving people, culture, and organizational effectiveness.
• Oversee core HR processes such as workforce planning, talent acquisition, total rewards, performance management, succession planning, employee relations, and staff care, ensuring consistency and quality across all entities.
• Build the capacity of in-country P&C teams by leading training, facilitating peer learning, and promoting shared tools and best practices that can be adapted to local contexts.
• Champion a values-driven organizational culture grounded in servant leadership, Christian faith, and the organization's stated mission, vision, and core values.
• Partner with safeguarding and faith & development teams to ensure that protection standards and faith-based initiatives are embedded in P&C practices and incident management.
• Monitor and manage people-related risks, including local labour law compliance, employee relations cases, safeguarding incidents, and the implementation of corrective action plans.
• Represent the region in global and external networks, including international financial inclusion bodies, NGOs, and HR consulting groups, to support collaboration and employer branding.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least 8–10 years of experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally within a complex international organization, with deep expertise in organizational development and strategic people management.
• A university degree with a strong HR focus; CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent certification is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience as a key member of a multinational leadership team, reporting to CEO-level executives and engaging directly with boards of directors.
• Prior experience in two or more countries within the assigned region, with an understanding of local employment regulations and socio-cultural dynamics.
• Strong working knowledge across all HR domains, including talent management, total rewards, organizational design, change management, and employee relations.
• Proven ability to think analytically and strategically, using financial and operational metrics to shape HR strategy and influence organizational decisions.
• Full professional fluency in both English and French, whether as a native speaker of one and excellent command of the other.
• Experience in financial inclusion, microfinance, or financial services is a valued plus, as is a demonstrated commitment to faith-based service and Christian leadership principles.