Job Description

HR Business Partner (Upstream Oil & Gas Waste Management) – Kenya

We are seeking to hire an HR Business Partner who will provide strategic and operational HR support for an upstream drilling and hazardous waste management project based in Lokichar, Turkana County. The role will act as a trusted advisor to project leadership, overseeing workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, learning and development, HR compliance, workforce mobilization, and HSE-integrated people practices supporting safe, compliant, and efficient project delivery. The ideal candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field, with a professional HR certification preferred, and a minimum of 6–8 years’ HR experience, including at least 3 years in an HR Business Partner or senior HR generalist role supporting remote industrial operations. Previous experience within upstream oil & gas, drilling operations, hazardous waste management, mining, construction, utilities, or other project-based environments is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with Project Managers and site leadership teams to align HR initiatives with operational and business objectives.
• Develop workforce plans, retention strategies, succession plans, and capability development initiatives to support project delivery.
• Support organizational design, role definition, and deployment of multidisciplinary teams across operations, HSE, logistics, transport, maintenance, laboratory, and administration functions.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment activities including sourcing, assessment, selection, onboarding, medical clearances, and mobilization of local and expatriate personnel.
• Support local content initiatives, community hiring programs, apprenticeships, internships, and workforce development commitments.
• Design and coordinate employee onboarding, induction, and orientation programs, including mandatory site safety training.
• Implement and manage performance management processes including KPI setting, appraisals, development plans, and talent reviews.
• Advise management on compensation, allowances, shift patterns, leave administration, and retention strategies suitable for remote site operations.
• Coordinate employee recognition programs and support identification and development of high-potential employees.
• Manage employee relations matters including grievances, disciplinary processes, investigations, conflict resolution, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance with Kenyan labour legislation, employment regulations, company policies, employment contracts, and local content requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee records, contracts, personnel files, and HR documentation in both physical and electronic formats.
• Conduct training needs analyses and coordinate learning and development initiatives for operational, HSE, technical, and leadership competencies.
• Manage competency tracking systems and ensure completion of mandatory and refresher training programs.
• Partner with HSE teams to integrate behavioural safety, fatigue management, employee wellbeing, and mental health initiatives into workforce practices.
• Support medical surveillance programs, attendance management, incident investigations, and return-to-work processes.
• Coordinate workforce mobilization and demobilization activities, including travel, visas, rotations, accommodation, transport logistics, and emergency repatriation support.
• Maintain HR metrics and dashboards covering headcount, vacancies, turnover, recruitment performance, training compliance, and workforce analytics.
• Prepare periodic HR reports for project leadership and support internal and external audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
• Monitor subcontractor workforce compliance with labour standards, employment regulations, company policies, and code of conduct requirements.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, ethical conduct, anti-harassment initiatives, and positive community engagement across the project workforce.
• Support social investment, local workforce development, and community training initiatives aligned with project commitments.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field. Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Professional HR certification such as CIPD, SHRM, or IHRM-K preferred.
• Minimum 6–8 years’ HR experience, including at least 3 years in an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Generalist role supporting industrial or project-based operations.
• Previous experience within upstream oil & gas, drilling operations, hazardous waste management, mining, construction, utilities, renewable energy, or similar sectors is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Kenyan labour law, employment regulations, expatriate workforce management, and local content requirements.
• Proven experience in recruitment, workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, learning and development, and HR reporting.
• Practical experience supporting HSE-aligned HR practices including medical surveillance, fatigue management, incident investigations, and employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Experience managing subcontractor workforces, contractor compliance, and community hiring programs is advantageous.
• Proficiency in HRIS platforms, Microsoft Office applications, and HR reporting tools.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, conflict resolution, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within remote, fast-paced, and operationally demanding project environments.

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