People & Culture Officer
Zetech University
Quick Take
Drive end-to-end HR operations—recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, and compliance—while supporting workforce planning and learning & development across an academic institution.
5+ years of progressive HR generalist experience, deep knowledge of Kenyan labour laws (Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, OSHA), and proven ability to manage multiple HR functions simultaneously with data-driven decision-making.
Strategic HR role in a growing educational institution with clear reporting structure, competitive salary range, and the opportunity to shape workplace culture and employee experience in a medium-to-large organization.
Job Description
Zetech University is seeking a dynamic and experienced People & Culture Officer to join its HR function and support the delivery of core people management services across the institution. This is a strategic yet hands-on role that sits at the intersection of HR operations, talent management, and employee experience — designed for an HR professional who is passionate about building people-first workplace cultures within an academic environment.
Reporting to the Head of People & Culture, the successful candidate will drive end-to-end HR processes, champion employee engagement, and ensure the University remains compliant with Kenyan labour laws while aligning its people strategy with institutional sustainability and growth objectives.
- Support workforce planning, headcount budgeting, and job evaluation processes to ensure optimal staffing levels across all departments.
- Manage the full-cycle recruitment and onboarding process — from job advertising and shortlisting to offer letters and new hire induction.
- Coordinate talent management initiatives including performance appraisals, talent reviews, and succession planning frameworks.
- Monitor and analyse departmental performance metrics, track objectives, and conduct periodic SWOT assessments to inform HR decisions.
- Design and implement learning and development programmes that address identified skills gaps and support staff career growth.
- Provide HR advisory and compliance support to faculties, departments, and individual staff members in line with labour laws and institutional policies.
- Collect, analyse, and act on employee feedback through surveys and other engagement tools to continuously improve the employee experience.
- Coordinate and implement staff disciplinary processes in accordance with the University's HR policy framework.
- Manage employee separation processes including resignations, terminations, and exit interviews.
- Assist in planning and rolling out employee reward, recognition, and welfare programmes.
- Prepare accurate and timely departmental reports and University Council HR reports.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor or as outlined in the detailed job description.
- Demonstrate at least 5 years of progressive HR generalist experience, ideally in a medium to large organisation, with a proven track record of managing multiple HR functions simultaneously.
- Apply working knowledge of Kenyan labour laws — including the Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, and OSHA — to guide compliant HR practices.
- Lead end-to-end recruitment campaigns and onboarding programmes that result in reduced time-to-hire and improved new hire retention.
- Use data and analytics to monitor workforce trends, generate HR reports, and make evidence-based recommendations to management.
- Champion employee experience by designing and implementing engagement initiatives that measurably improve staff satisfaction and retention.
- Facilitate performance management cycles, coach line managers on objective-setting, and support underperformance management processes.
- Demonstrate valid IHRM membership and Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-K) certification.
- Communicate complex HR policies and procedures clearly to diverse stakeholders, including academic staff, administration, and senior management.
- Experience in a private university or higher education institution is a strong added advantage.
The salary for this role is open and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Based on Kenyan market benchmarks for a Senior HR Officer role in a private university, the estimated monthly compensation ranges between KES 80,000 – KES 150,000. Zetech University offers a competitive benefits package including medical cover and a professional work environment that supports continuous learning and development.
Ideal candidate: You are a seasoned HR generalist with 5+ years of experience, a valid CHRP-K certification, and active IHRM membership. You have a genuine passion for people, are comfortable operating in a fast-paced academic environment, and can balance strategic HR thinking with operational execution. You understand the nuances of managing both academic and non-academic staff, and you bring a proactive, solution-oriented mindset to every challenge.
Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 5 years of HR generalist experience, lack a current IHRM membership, or are seeking a purely administrative clerical role. This position requires someone who can independently manage complex HR matters and confidently advise senior stakeholders.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the Zetech University official careers portal or via the application link provided on the job listing page. Your application should include an updated CV, a cover letter clearly outlining your suitability for the role, and copies of relevant academic and professional certificates. Applications close on 30th June 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Minimum 5 years of progressive HR generalist experience in a medium to large organisation
- Working knowledge of Kenyan labour laws (Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, OSHA)
- Proven track record managing full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and talent management
- Ability to analyse HR data and generate evidence-based reports for senior leadership
- Experience designing and implementing employee engagement and retention initiatives
Nice to Have
- Experience in an academic or tertiary education environment
- Familiarity with HR management systems and analytics tools
- Track record of successfully reducing time-to-hire and improving new hire retention
- Experience with succession planning and talent review frameworks
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Salary Context
Competitive mid-market salary for experienced HR generalist in Nairobi
The KES 80,000–150,000 range reflects a mid-to-senior HR role in Nairobi's non-profit education sector. Pay varies significantly based on seniority, previous organization size, and specific HR expertise; candidates with 5+ years in corporate environments typically command the upper range.
About Zetech University
Zetech University is a medium-sized higher education institution based in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on delivering quality tertiary education and research. The university is committed to institutional sustainability and growth, with a people-first approach to managing its diverse faculty and staff. Working here offers exposure to strategic HR transformation in an academic setting and the chance to directly impact an organization's culture and academic mission.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Can you walk us through a full recruitment cycle you managed—from identifying the need to post-hire retention—and what metrics you used to measure success?
- 2
Tell us about a time you had to navigate a complex labour law issue or disciplinary matter in Kenya. How did you ensure compliance while maintaining a positive employee relationship?
- 3
How would you approach designing an employee engagement strategy specifically for an academic environment with diverse staff (faculty, administrative, support)?
- 4
Describe your experience with HR data and analytics. What tools have you used, and how have you used data to influence HR strategy or improve processes?
- 5
How do you balance the operational demands of HR (payroll, compliance, onboarding) with the strategic work of talent development and culture building?
Application Tips
Emphasise your experience with end-to-end recruitment in large organisations and provide concrete metrics: time-to-hire reduced from X to Y, retention rate improved, cost-per-hire optimized.
Highlight specific examples of labour law compliance work in Kenya—mention the Acts by name and describe a scenario where you guided policy or resolved a compliance issue.
Showcase evidence-based HR initiatives: design an employee survey, analyse engagement data, and roll out a targeted retention programme based on findings. Quantify impact where possible.
If you have education sector experience, lead with it; if not, demonstrate how you'd adapt HR strategies to a multi-stakeholder academic environment (faculty governance, student-facing roles, research teams).
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, well-structured role description with specific, measurable responsibilities—suggests a mature HR function with defined expectations.
- Salary range is transparent and competitive (KES 80,000–150,000), signalling a serious, professional employer.
- Explicit emphasis on Kenyan labour law compliance and institutional policy alignment shows the employer understands local context and regulatory risk.
- Role combines operational and strategic elements (recruitment, engagement, analytics, compliance), offering rich professional development and variety.
Watch Out
- Job description is incomplete—the 'Facilitate' bullet point at the end is cut off, suggesting the posting may not have been fully proofread or finalized.
- No mention of benefits, professional development budget, or remote work flexibility, which are increasingly expected in modern HR roles.
- Reporting relationship is to 'Head of People & Culture,' but no clarity on team size, whether this is a standalone role, or how much autonomy the officer has in strategic decisions.
A Day in the Life
Your week might start with a recruitment panel meeting to review candidates shortlisted for two faculty vacancies, followed by a one-on-one with a department head troubleshooting a performance management issue. Mid-week, you're preparing an employee engagement survey rollout, analysing last quarter's attrition data, and drafting a compliance advisory on OSHA requirements for the Science building renovation. You'll attend a talent review session to discuss succession planning for senior roles and coordinate an induction schedule for new hires starting next month. Late in the week, you're writing the Council HR report, liaising with payroll on a separation case, and sketching a learning and development proposal to address identified skills gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a People & Culture Officer at Zetech University?
You need at least 5 years of progressive HR generalist experience, ideally in a medium-to-large organisation, plus solid working knowledge of Kenyan labour laws (Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, OSHA). A relevant HR qualification (CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent) and experience in recruitment, talent management, and employee engagement are essential.
Is the People & Culture Officer role at Zetech University remote or office-based?
The posting does not explicitly state work location flexibility. Given it is based in Nairobi and involves hands-on HR operations across departments (recruitment panels, onboarding, compliance meetings), it is likely office-based or hybrid; confirm this during the application or interview process.
How much does a People & Culture Officer earn at Zetech University?
The salary range is KES 80,000–150,000 per month, depending on experience, previous organisation size, and seniority. Candidates with 5+ years in larger corporate environments typically command the upper end of the range.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
This role reports to the Head of People & Culture, making it a natural stepping stone to a HR management, strategic HR, or organisational development role within Zetech or the broader sector. Success here—particularly in data-driven talent initiatives and compliance—positions you well for Head of HR or People Director roles.
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