People & Culture Generalist

About the role

• Our client is a long-established, purpose-driven regional safari company with more than two decades of experience in East Africa, affiliated with a leading international adventure travel organisation. Specialising in exceptional nature-based travel experiences, the company is committed to conservation, supporting local communities, and delivering high-touch operational excellence.
• We are seeking an experienced People & Culture Generalist to oversee day-to-day workforce operations across head office, regional safari hubs, and multi-site field teams. This is a hands-on generalist role designed for an HR professional who thrives in a dynamic operational environment. Overseeing day-to-day employee lifecycle operations, you will act as a trusted advisor to line managers, maintain compliant and accurate people records, manage employee relations, and help foster a high-performing workplace culture aligned with core organizational values.
• This position requires strong Kenyan employment law expertise (Employment Act 2007, OSHA, WIBA, statutory compliance), discreet candidate and employee handling, pragmatic problem-solving skills, and a passion for supporting operational teams in a multi-site travel setting

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Line Manager Coaching

• Line Manager Support: Serve as the primary first-line advisor to department leads and safari managers on managing performance, attendance, conduct, and workplace concerns.
• Disciplinary Frameworks & Due Process: Manage end-to-end disciplinary and grievance processes in strict compliance with organizational policy and Section 41 of the Kenyan Employment Act (2007). Facilitate formal show-cause letters, investigations, and objective disciplinary hearings.
• Grievance Resolution: Facilitate fair, confidential, and prompt grievance resolution mechanisms. Conduct impartial workplace investigations into policy breaches or interpersonal conflicts.
• Retention & Engagement: Track workforce sentiment, coordinate reward and recognition programs that reinforce core values, and exit interview tracking to proactively address turnover risks.

Local Statutory Compliance & HR Administration

• Labor Law Adherence: Ensure all HR policies, employment contracts, and operational procedures conform strictly to current Kenyan labor legislation, including the Employment Act 2007, Labour Relations Act, and Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA).
• Statutory Remittance Coordination: Partner closely with Finance to verify accurate computation and timely monthly filing of statutory obligations, including PAYE (KRA), NSSF, SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund), Affordable Housing Levy, and NITA.
• Contract Administration & Data Audits: Oversee the drafting, issuance, and renewal of compliant contracts and letters. Regularly audit personnel files to ensure high standards of administration, data integrity, and compliance with confidentiality guidelines.
• Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA): Support workplace safety compliance across office and field sites, ensuring statutory medical checks and incident/injury reporting under WIBA are consistently executed.

Employee Lifecycle & Onboarding

• Recruitment & Onboarding: Coordinate end-to-end recruitment for mid-level and operational roles with line managers—including vacancy drafting, screening, interviews, reference checks, and structured onboarding.
• Leave & Benefits Tracking: Track statutory leave accruals (annual, sick, maternity, paternity) and administer staff medical cover, life insurance, and benefit changes alongside Finance.

Performance, Learning & Payroll Inputs

• Performance Reviews: Coordinate the performance management cycle, tracking completion of appraisals, Personal Development Plans (PDPs), and follow-up actions.
• Payroll Input Verification: Collate and verify accurate monthly payroll inputs—including attendance registers, approved adjustments, and leave allowances—within agreed deadlines.

Candidate Profile & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management or a related field. Active registration with IHRM Kenya is preferred.
• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive generalist experience across the entire employee lifecycle (recruitment, employee relations, statutory compliance, performance management, and HR administration).
• Industry Context: Experience within tourism, hospitality, travel, safari, or a fast-paced multi-site operational environment is highly desirable.
• Legal & Technical Expertise: Thorough working knowledge of Kenyan employment legislation, statutory requirements, HR data management, and proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) and HR systems.
• Key Attributes: Practical, solution-focused, highly organized, discrete, accountable, and capable of navigating difficult conversations with empathy, fairness, and objectivity.