JOB DETAILS:
The Unit is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts. The Unit is now seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to fill the following position:
Head of Human Resources (01 Position)
Position Code: HHR-520
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Duty station: Entebbe
Contract Duration: 2 years, renewable subject to performance and availability of funds
Start Date: As soon as possible
Job Purpose: The Head of Human Resources (HR) is responsible for the management of the HR Department. The post holder oversees all HR functions at the Unit and is responsible for the development and operational efficiency all HR services.
The Head of HR is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Unit’s HR plan which supports the Unit’s strategy. The post holder is a champion of implementing change and is pro-actively driving the continuous improvement of the HR team, service delivery and cost-effective operational capacity. The post holder directly reports to the Unit Chief Operating Officer and line manages a team of HR department staff. The Head of HR interacts positively and closely with Unit academics, Heads of Departments and external collaborators to ensure services are delivered promptly and Unit policies, including HR policies and procedures, are adhered to as expected. The post holder works closely with other professional support staff and shares information as needed.

The post is based in Entebbe although the post holder is expected to make regular visits to the Unit’s other field stations in Uganda which may include overnight stays. .

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
1. Main Accountabilities
• Work with the Unit Chief Operating Officer (COO) to ensure the Unit has a highly motivated and skilled workforce to deliver its vision and objectives.
• Ensure at all times that the HR service delivers an efficient and effective service with due regard for value for money aligned to the Units strategic vision.

• Ensure that HR department staff level and capacity is at the required level to effectively deliver all HR-related activities at the Unit.
• Effective planning, forecasting, monitoring and management of the HR department budget and promptly reporting any variances to the Chief Operating Officer with proposals for adjustment.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of HR policies and procedures across all Unit sites.
• Act as expert advisor on Ugandan legislation affecting HR policies and practices at the Unit
• Lead and manage Unit HR services that are in compliance with Ugandan law and other regulations, as well as LSHTM and Unit policies and procedures.
• Ensure the recruitment of staff and development of an appropriate skill set within the HR department that is able to meet changing demands, deliver projects on time and to budget and to improve the quality of service provided across the Unit.
• Implement strategic HR projects in consultation with the Unit COO.

• Set, monitor and regularly report on HR department Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
• Provide regular and adhoc reports to the Unit COO providing accurate and up-to-date data and analyses.
• Ensure that Unit staff are able to acquire the skill sets and leadership competencies required to achieve the Unit’s strategic objectives and to maintain its excellent reputation.
• Ensure there is effective communication between the HR department and Unit staff.
• Ensure that Unit recruitment and remuneration and benefits arrangements enable it to recruit and retain high-caliber staff ensuring there are retention strategies that are benchmarked against similar organizations.

• Implement processes for performance management and succession planning consistent with the needs, culture and complexity of the organization.
• Work with the Unit’s Training department to implement activities that facilitate staff development in support of the Unit’s vision and capacity building objectives.
• Ensure that HR records and databases and related information systems are fit-for-purpose, well-maintained and capable of providing management information promptly and accurately.
• Ensure that ongoing monitoring of all HR plans and Unit employment policies is undertaken and that accurate, timely, and relevant employment/workforce related data is reported to the Unit Chief Operating Officer to inform strategic decision-making.
• Provide leadership for employee relations working with line Managers and staff as appropriate to resolve conflict and where appropriate work with appointed external parties (including lawyers where required) on any required legal issues.
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• Ensure that employment cases are managed swiftly and effectively, and all associated corporate risks are raised to the Unit Chief Operating Officer to mitigate any reputational, financial or operational risk.
• Ensure all staff managed by the post holder are trained and managed to a high level and that they are competent in undertaking all required duties competently.

• Work with the Unit’s Health & Safety department to ensure that working practices take due regard of the health and safety of employees and visiting persons ensuring controls are in place to adhere to Unit/LSHTM, national and international standards.
• Stay up to date with changes in HR practices and laws communicating and develop proposals for their implementation.
• Manage change projects such as the implementation of new HR measures.
• Conduct staff consultations and surveys to asses impact of proposed measures and monitor overall staff satisfaction through formal surveys and meetings.
• To provide guidance and assistance to international staff when joining and leaving the Unit
• To develop strong links between the Unit’s main site in Entebbe and the Field Stations through regular direct communication and meetings.

• Lead by example and act as strong advocate of the Unit’s core values such as equality and diversity as well as best practices including in the areas of Health & Safety, data protection, and any other legislative requirements.
• Ensures that HR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are regularly reviewed and changes made as necessary.
• Ensure that Conflict of Interest guidance and notifications are regularly reviewed, and action taken as appropriate.
• Actively support the conduct of internal and external audits.
• Implement and oversee systems to effectively manage annual leave, sick leave and other planned/unplanned absence from work.
• Regularly review staff insurance cover to maximize staff benefit under the principles of value for money.
• Benchmark from time to time staff remuneration against comparable institutions in the region.
• Devise and lead equal opportunity initiatives at the Unit, including gender equity.
2. Service Delivery
It is important that the HR team’s services are delivered in a staff centered manner. This post-holder ensures the department is;
• Responsive.
• Promptly communicating to users new developments such as new services, changes to services etc.
• Pro-actively resolving issues.
• Upholding high standards of professionalism.
• Take responsibility for the overall quality of the service delivery.
• Lead the team's self-assessment process supporting the team in setting targets and agreeing performance indicators for improvement.
3. Financial Management
• Financial management responsibilities of this post include;
• Managing the HR department budget, including forecasting staff and non-staff cost on an annual basis.
• Managing/updating the payroll ensuring the correct projects charged for personnel costs.
• Approval of overtime and on-call allowances for staff in line with Unit policy.
4. Line Management Responsibilities
• The post holder is responsible for managing a dynamic multidisciplinary team. The Head of HR ensures that;
• Staff are enabled to perform their assigned duties as expected.
• Staff professional development is nurtured in line with the Unit’s and LSHTM’s capacity building goals.
• There is a positive and supportive work environment in the department.
• Staff feel included and valued and their professional feedback and proposals are heard and considered.
• Staff expectations are clearly communicated.
• Staff performance is regularly monitored.
• Conflicts are resolved promptly and decisively.
• Formal appraisals are conducted within the departments and scientific programmes in line with the Unit’s schedule.
• Applicable LSHTM and Unit HR policies are being followed at all levels.
• Participate in the development of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.
5. LSHTM Integration
The Unit has transferred to LSHTM in 2018. The post-holder is expected to support the further integration of the Unit into the School by;
• Providing updates and information to the Director of Human Resources in London.
• Providing data and information to other London-based managers as needed.
• Engage positively and collaboratively with colleagues at the sister Unit in The Gambia, sharing knowledge, documents and experiences as needed.
• Engage constructively with departments across all LSHTM locations, as needed.
• Support harmonization of HR Policies and procedures across LSHTM sites.
• Undertake any other duties within the grade as set out by the Unit COO.
Job Skills: Not Specified

Specifications:
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Business Management, Human Resources, or other related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or other related.
• Member of a professional body like HRMUA, CIPD, and CHRM.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience managing an HR Team, with 4 years’ experience at a senior level in a reputable organization.
• Experience providing HR services in a research setting or a grant-funded environment is desired.
• Should have significant change management experience and evidence of delivering large change projects.
• Should have knowledge of HR strategic principles, and updated HR nationally acceptable laws and regulations.
• Should have knowledge of Ugandan labor laws.
• Ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to trouble shoot complex issues

Fill an online form accordingly by following the link below and there after submit your application documents to the e-mail below:
Head of Human Resources: https://forms.gle/T5mhxr4avAaP5REP7  
Filling the form more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting.

Please email your application to recruitment@mrcuganda.org 

Applications should include academic documents, a cover letter, CV, daytime telephone contact and three traceable professional references. Combine all application documentation into one PDF document. Deadline is 5th June 2020, 5:00pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only.
NB: Please quote the following position code in the subject line of the email:
• Head of Human Resources: HHR-520
Strictly follow the application procedure as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification.

The applications should be addressed to:
The Recruitment Team,
MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit,
P.O. Box, 49,
Entebbe, Uganda.

Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification. By submitting your personal information, you consent to the MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. The Unit reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.
MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda research Unit is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force and does not ask for money at any stage of recruitment