Reports to: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating & Commercial Officer

Location: Head Office, near Atlas International Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract: Permanent, full-time

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Head of HR to lead the people function for our organisation of fewer than 100 employees. This is a standalone, hands-on role combining strategic leadership with day-to-day delivery, with particular emphasis on compliance, employee relations, and building a strong, inclusive culture.

Key responsibilities

• Own and deliver the people strategy in line with business priorities, advising the CEO and Chief Operating & Commercial Officer on all people matters.

• Ensure full compliance with Ethiopian labour law and internal policies; maintain and regularly update the employee handbook, contracts, and HR procedures.

• Lead all employee relations casework — disciplinary, grievance, performance, and absence — handling sensitive cases personally and coaching managers through routine ones.

• Champion the organisation’s values and embed them in recruitment, onboarding, performance, recognition, and exit.

• Design and run engagement surveys, translate findings into visible action, and lead wellbeing initiatives across the organisation.

• Own the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance, reward, and offboarding, including annual pay and performance cycles.

• Maintain accurate, confidential HR records and report regularly on headcount, turnover, absence, engagement, and ER metrics.

• Coach line managers so good people management is owned across the business, not just by HR.

Job Requirements

Person specification

• Degree in HR, Management, or related field; CIPD or equivalent qualification desirable.

• Minimum five years’ generalist HR experience, including at least three in a senior or standalone role.

• Strong, current knowledge of Ethiopian labour law and confidence applying it in practice.

• Proven track record of leading complex employee relations cases to resolution.

• Demonstrable experience embedding culture and engagement initiatives with measurable impact.

• Excellent influencing, coaching, and communication skills; credibility with senior leaders.

• Pragmatic, hands-on, and comfortable operating without a large support team.

• High standards of discretion, fairness, and confidentiality. Fluency in English and Amharic.

How To Apply

Please send a CV and a short covering note to ephtahjobs@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Job Requirements The role requires a degree in HR, Management or related field, preferably CIPD qualified, and fluency in English and Amharic. Key responsibilities include owning and delivering the people strategy, ensuring compliance with Ethiopian labour law, managing all employee relations cases, championing company values through recruitment, onboarding, performance, recognition and exit processes, designing engagement surveys. How to Apply Send a CV and a short covering note to ephtahjobs@gmail.com; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.