Deputy Director, HR Engagement & Global Operations
- Organization
- The Susan T. Buffett Foundation
- Location
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Job Type
- Full-time
- Deadline for Applications
- 08/29/2025
- Where to Apply
- https://www.goodcitizen.com/executive-search/deputy-director-hr-engagement-global-operations/
- Tags
- Full-time
Please make sure to read the entire position profile and follow the instructions at the end of the profile to properly submit your Candidate Brief in lieu of a Cover Letter.
Applications without a completed Candidate Brief will not be considered final and may not be reviewed.
About The Susan T. Buffett Foundation
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (STBF) is a private grant-making foundation with a U.S. home office in Omaha, NE and a global home office in Kigali, Rwanda. The Foundation’s staff is comprised of almost 90 individuals across two continents. With annual spending in excess of $1 billion, STBF is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S.
The Foundation is unusual for donors of such size as they have only two main areas of grantmaking: (1) supporting women’s health and reproductive freedom in the U.S. and around the world (2) to enable low-income students in Nebraska to attend and succeed in college. Unlike most foundations, STBF will not exist in perpetuity. After Mr. Buffett passes away (he is currently 94 years old), the Foundation’s grantmaking will grow substantially, then eventually sunset after approximately 10-15 years.
Operations Unit Summary
The Operations unit manages the key components that drive organizational effectiveness, focusing on Business Operations, HR Operations, IT Operations, Global Operations, and Culture and Inclusion.
Operations ensures seamless integration of and alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values. The unit is responsible for implementing best practices, driving efficiency, and fostering collaboration across the Foundation.
The HR Engagement and Global Operations team within the Operations remit is a comprehensive HR function, including employee relations, manager effectiveness, learning and development, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives. This remit will also guide policy development, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and lead the execution of global HR strategies to enhance workforce performance and satisfaction across diverse regions.
The Opportunity
The Deputy Director, HR Engagement & Global Operations is pivotal to ensuring the Foundation’s HR and Operational efficiency for Africa-based staff. This is a new role designed to strengthen HR and operations support for the foundation’s global operations while building the systems, processes, and trust required for long-term success.
Reporting to the Director of HR Engagement and Global Operations (based in the U.S.), the Deputy Director will serve as the HR lead in Kigali and provide operational oversight across Africa, starting with Rwanda and supporting the planned expansion into Ethiopia and potentially other countries.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable building new structures from the ground up and integrating into an existing culture. The candidate should bring both strategic oversight and practical management capabilities, especially in regions where operational complexity is high.
They will establish themselves as a trusted partner for staff, managers, and colleagues across the foundation with the ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-growing organization.
Key Responsibilities
HR Leadership for Africa-Based Staff
Serve as the primary HR point of contact in Kigali, ensuring staff have access to timely, responsive HR support.
Lead pre-boarding, onboarding, relocation, and immigration processes for Africa-based hires in close partnership with the U.S. HR Operations team.
Partner with local colleagues to document HR and operational processes so they can be seamlessly managed by others when needed.
Build trust and strong relationships with staff, managers, and key partners, ensuring approachability and confidentiality.
Provide coaching and support to managers on performance management, employee relations, and HR best practices.
Learning, Training, and Manager Development
Design and deliver in-house training for managers and staff on performance management systems, goal setting, and other HR processes.
Facilitate change management and onboarding for new HR systems and processes.
Support a culture of continuous learning by identifying development needs and implementing relevant training programs.
Policy, Compliance, and Documentation
Ensure all policies and procedures are compliant with local laws and cultural norms while aligned with STBF’s global values.
Track changes in labor laws across relevant African countries and communicate implications to leadership.
Maintain accurate documentation of HR processes to ensure operational continuity.
Global Operations and Expansion
Oversee daily HR operations in Kigali and support the setup and operational launch of new offices, beginning with Ethiopia.
Coordinate with colleagues across the continent to ensure operational consistency while allowing for regional differences.
Contribute to long-term planning for the anticipated growth of the Kigali office (from ~20 to 30+ staff) and the potential eventual onboarding of country advisors in up to 12 African countries.
Team Leadership
Manage and mentor direct reports, fostering professional growth and clear performance expectations.
Model collaboration, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity within the team and across the Foundation.
*These responsibilities may change or expand over time consistent with the Foundation’s needs and initiatives.
Background and Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of experience in Human Resources or a related field, with significant work in Africa; experience with facilities and security a plus.
Proven track record of leading HR and Operations for a multinational or philanthropic organization, managing complex, multi-site operations.
Experience setting up HR or operational functions in new locations, including process development and team building.
Proven track record as an effective leader and people manager; excellent leadership and team-building skills, with experience managing diverse, multicultural teams.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Human Resources, Operations Management, or a related field is required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree is a plus.
French language proficiency desired but not required.
Attributes for Success
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Capacity to work both strategically and operationally
Strategic thinking and operational excellence and execution
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Leadership and team development
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
Crisis management and problem-solving skills
Shared Values
The Foundation is committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. This includes not only creating a diverse team where everyone feels represented, respected, and included, but also embedding these values across their work and practices. All applicants who are drawn to serve their mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.
We seek candidates who bring:
A genuine understanding of, and appreciation for, the significance of our values: Mission, Respect for Donor Intent, Appetite for Risk and Tolerance for Failure, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Humility, Passion Tempered by Objectivity and Evidence, Compassion and Love of Humanity, Honesty and Integrity, Kindness and Respect and Shared Accountability.
An alignment with the Foundation’s progressive values, including unambiguous support for individual reproductive freedom.
Location
This role is based in Kigali, Rwanda, with a hybrid schedule requiring at least three days per week in the Kigali office. Candidates not currently based in Rwanda must be willing to relocate to Kigali full-time at the start of the role. Relocation assistance is available. Occasional travel to the U.S. (1–2 times per year) may be needed.
Compensation
Compensation is determined by a variety of factors including candidate’s individual qualifications, experience relative to the requirements of the role, and internal equity. STBF offers a robust and generous benefits package.
To Be Considered
Please submit your resume via the “Become a Candidate” button.
While the application form will prompt you to upload a cover letter, please instead submit a “Candidate Brief” document containing your responses to the questions provided below:
1. Mission Alignment
What draws you to the foundation’s mission, and how does it align with your values, interests, and professional experiences?
2. Building and Strengthening HR & Operational Functions
Describe your experience establishing or leading HR and operational systems—particularly in new, growing, or multi-country environments. Include the size and type of teams or offices you’ve supported and the kinds of systems, processes, or policies you’ve overseen.
3. HR and Operational Leadership Across Africa
Summarize your experience working in and across countries on the African continent. Include the types of organizations you’ve worked with, the countries or regions covered, and the scope of HR and/or operational functions you’ve led.
4. People Leadership, Training, and Manager Support
Outline your experience managing people and supporting managers, including any work related to manager coaching, staff training, or performance management in cross-cultural environments.
5. Location and Languages
The foundation seeks candidates either currently based in Kigali, Rwanda or willing to relocate to Kigali at the start of the role. Please share where you are currently based and if you are willing to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda at the start of this role. French language skills are not required but would be desired. Please also indicate if you have French language skills and at what level of fluency.
Applications without a completed Candidate Brief will not be considered final and may not be reviewed. Submissions may be addressed to Jailan Adly.
Applicants applying by August 29th, 2025, will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applications are welcome from individuals across the continent, with priority consideration for candidates based in Rwanda or with roots in Kenya, Ethiopia, or Senegal. Candidates not currently based in Rwanda must be willing to relocate to Kigali full-time at the start of the role.
