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HR Manager

Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO)

Mombasafull time~KES 150k – 280k/mo1d ago

Quick Take

The Role

Lead all human resources, recruitment, compliance, and employee development functions for a major water utility, reporting directly to the Managing Director and managing a team of HR and administration staff.

You Need

Minimum 7 years of progressive HR experience (4+ in senior role), deep knowledge of Kenyan employment law and statutory compliance, and proven ability to manage grievances, performance systems, and talent acquisition in a regulated utility or service sector environment.

You Get

A pensionable, permanent senior leadership role with competitive salary (KES 150k–280k/month), significant organizational impact in essential water services, and opportunity to shape people strategy at a critical public utility in a major coastal city.

Job Description

Role Overview

Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO) is seeking an experienced and strategic HR Manager to lead the Human Resources and Administration department. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all HR functions, embedding sound people practices, and ensuring the organization attracts, retains, and develops high-performing talent in line with its operational mandate.

This is a permanent and pensionable position suited for a seasoned HR professional with a proven track record in the utility or service industry. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership while championing a culture of performance, compliance, and employee well-being across the organization.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design and maintain an up-to-date organizational structure by reviewing job requirements and job descriptions in collaboration with line managers and recommending job evaluations, salary surveys, and culture assessments as needed.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously update HR policies and procedures to align with organizational goals and labor laws.
  • Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes, ensuring adherence to company procedures for talent acquisition at all levels.
  • Conduct and analyze exit interviews, derive actionable insights, and implement recommended improvements to reduce turnover.
  • Manage employee onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure seamless transitions and compliance.
  • Identify and coordinate the implementation of training, learning, and development programs aligned to organizational capacity needs.
  • Drive the implementation and continuous improvement of performance management systems and processes across all departments.
  • Handle employee grievances professionally, coordinating timely resolutions and implementing corrective or reconciliation measures.
  • Assess employee benefit needs and manage the design and implementation of competitive benefit programs.
  • Monitor and ensure full statutory compliance with applicable HR regulations, including labor laws, NHIF, NSSF, and other regulatory requirements.
  • Manage the HR Information System (HRIS) and provide accurate input for payroll processing.
  • Ensure health and safety policies are current, communicated, and enforced across all work sites.
  • Supervise HR, Administration, and Secretariat staff, providing mentorship and performance oversight.
  • Design and conduct employee satisfaction surveys and engagement forums, translating findings into actionable improvement plans.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Demonstrate at least 7 years of progressive HR experience, with a minimum of 4 years in a senior HR management role within a utility, public service, or busy service-sector environment.
  • Apply working knowledge of Kenyan employment laws, labor regulations, and HR statutory requirements to ensure organizational compliance at all times.
  • Lead structured grievance handling and disciplinary processes with fairness, confidentiality, and emotional intelligence.
  • Design and implement performance appraisal frameworks, identifying performance gaps and coordinating targeted interventions.
  • Leverage proficiency in HR Information Systems and MS Office Suite (including Excel and Word) to manage workforce data and generate actionable reports.
  • Communicate complex HR matters clearly and persuasively to both leadership and frontline staff at all organizational levels.
  • Demonstrate a valid IHRM practicing certificate as a registered member in good standing.
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline from a recognized institution.
Salary & Benefits

This is a permanent and pensionable position classified under Job Group 3. While the specific salary figure has not been publicly disclosed, the estimated monthly compensation for a role of this seniority within a public utility in Kenya ranges between KES 150,000 – KES 280,000, inclusive of applicable allowances. The role also comes with a pensionable terms package, which is a significant long-term benefit.

Who Should Apply

Ideal candidates are senior HR professionals who have operated at management level in a structured organization — particularly in water, energy, telecommunications, or other regulated utility or service sectors. You thrive in dynamic, high-accountability environments, balance strategic thinking with operational execution, and are confident guiding senior leadership on people matters.

Do not apply if you have fewer than 7 years of HR experience, lack IHRM registration with a valid practicing certificate, or have no experience managing a team of HR staff. Candidates without a background in compliance-heavy or unionized environments may also find this role challenging.

How to Apply
  • Prepare an updated CV and a cover letter addressed to the Managing Director, MOWASSCO, clearly highlighting your seniority, relevant experience, and IHRM membership details.
  • Attach copies of your academic and professional certificates, including your IHRM practicing certificate.
  • Submit your application through the MOWASSCO official recruitment portal or as directed in the official job advertisement on their website.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment and interviews.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Minimum 7 years progressive HR experience with at least 4 years in a senior HR management role
  • Demonstrated experience in utility, public service, or busy service-sector environment
  • Working knowledge of Kenyan employment laws, labor regulations, NHIF, NSSF, and HR statutory compliance
  • Proven ability to design and implement HR policies, recruitment processes, and performance management systems
  • Experience managing grievances, disciplinary processes, and employee relations at scale

Nice to Have

  • Proficiency with HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) platforms
  • Track record of reducing employee turnover through engagement and retention strategies
  • Experience with organizational restructuring or culture change initiatives
  • Certification in HR management (CIPD, IHRM, or equivalent)

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive and above-market salary for a senior HR Manager role in Kenya

The posted range of KES 150,000–280,000 per month is well-positioned for a senior HR management role in a utilities/public sector setting. Senior HR roles in Kenya typically command KES 120,000–250,000 depending on company size, sector, and seniority; the upper end reflects the pensionable status, strategic reporting line (to MD), and responsibility for a large organization.

About Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO)

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Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO) is a critical water and sanitation utility serving Kenya's second-largest city and a major port. As a regulated utility, MOWASSCO plays an essential role in public health and economic development across the Coast Region. This is an opportunity to work in a mission-driven organization where HR practices directly impact thousands of employees and millions of residents dependent on reliable water services.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Tell us about a time you successfully implemented an HR policy or system change in a utility or regulated environment. What challenges did you face and how did you secure buy-in from senior leadership?

  • 2

    Describe your approach to managing a significant reduction in voluntary turnover. What metrics would you track and what programs would you prioritize?

  • 3

    Walk us through how you would handle a complex, multi-party employee grievance involving alleged misconduct and union representation. What would your process be?

  • 4

    How do you ensure an organization remains compliant with Kenyan labor law, NHIF, NSSF, and other statutory requirements while managing rapid growth or organizational change?

  • 5

    What experience do you have with recruitment at scale, and how would you improve our talent acquisition process to attract high-performing candidates in a competitive market?

Application Tips

  • Quantify your impact: highlight specific metrics such as turnover reduction %, time-to-hire improvements, or successful policy implementations that reduced compliance issues or grievances.

  • Emphasize utility or public sector experience: if you have worked in water, energy, telecoms, or other regulated sectors, lead with this—it directly matches the organizational context and statutory complexity.

  • Showcase compliance expertise: dedicate a section to your hands-on experience with Kenyan labor law, NHIF/NSSF administration, and grievance/disciplinary procedures; this is a core requirement and a differentiator.

  • Provide evidence of strategic partnership: describe how you've partnered with senior leadership (board, C-suite) to shape organizational strategy, not just execute HR transactionally.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Senior HR Officer or HR Business Partner in a utility, public sector, or large service organization
HR Manager (non-senior) in a regulated or multi-site environment
HR Specialist with progressive responsibility in recruitment, compliance, or employee relations

Where this leads

Director of Human Resources and Administration at a larger utility or public enterprise
Chief People Officer or Head of Organizational Development at a utility or regional water authority
Group HR Manager overseeing HR across multiple service delivery units or regional offices

Skills & Keywords

hr manager kenyahuman resource manager mombasahr jobs kenyamowassco jobssenior hr jobs kenyahr management utility sectorihrm jobs kenyapermanent pensionable hr jobs

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Permanent and pensionable position: rare in modern Kenya; offers long-term security and retirement benefits.
  • Direct reporting to Managing Director: places HR at a strategic level with immediate access to top leadership, maximizing HR's influence on organizational direction.
  • Clear, comprehensive role definition: detailed responsibilities and required skills set expectations and reduce ambiguity.
  • Utility sector impact: MOWASSCO serves an essential public good (water and sanitation), offering meaningful work with direct impact on community health and development.

Watch Out

  • Job description appears truncated at the end ('with' is incomplete under 'Lead structured grievance handling'), suggesting the full scope of responsibilities may not be clearly articulated—clarify expectations during interviews.
  • No explicit mention of contract duration, probation period, or performance review cycle—clarify these details before acceptance.

A Day in the Life

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Your week oscillates between strategic and operational work: Monday mornings you chair a recruitment committee meeting to approve finalists for a senior operations role, then pivot to reviewing a draft grievance resolution with your HR team for a disciplinary case. Mid-week, you facilitate a focus group with department heads to gather input for an updated performance management policy aligned with organizational goals. You also manage HRIS data inputs for payroll, respond to compliance queries from finance regarding NSSF/NHIF submissions, and conduct exit interviews to understand why a skilled engineer has left. Friday might involve presenting a turnover analysis and retention strategy proposal to the MD, then mentoring your HR Officer on best practice in conflict resolution. Throughout the week, you're balancing urgent employee relations issues with longer-term talent strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be an HR Manager at Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO)?

You must have a minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 4 years in a senior HR management role (ideally in utilities, public service, or service sectors). You'll need strong working knowledge of Kenyan employment law, NHIF, NSSF, and statutory compliance, plus proven skills in recruitment, policy development, grievance handling, and performance management.

Is the HR Manager role at Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO) remote?

No, this is a full-time, on-site role located in Mombasa. As a senior leader overseeing HR, administration, and secretariat teams, your presence at the head office is essential for daily operations, employee engagement, and leadership collaboration.

How much does a HR Manager earn at Mombasa Water Supply & Sanitation Co. Ltd (MOWASSCO)?

The posted salary range is KES 150,000–280,000 per month, which is competitive and above-market for a senior HR Manager role in Kenya. This is a permanent, pensionable position, so you'll also receive statutory benefits (NHIF, NSSF) and long-term retirement security.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

This is a strategic senior role reporting directly to the Managing Director, positioning you to influence organizational people strategy and potentially progress to Head of Administration, Director of HR, or Chief People Officer roles at MOWASSCO or larger utilities. The utility sector in Kenya offers strong advancement pathways in regulated organizations.

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