The Senior Human Resources Manager

Senior Human Resources Manager

Kivu Choice is the sister company to Victory Farms, the largest aquaculture platform in East Africa, based in Kenya. We launched our Rwandan business in Q4 of 2021 and have since built a vertically integrated aquaculture company with associated hatchery, cage production, distribution, and sales operations. Over the next 5 years our plan is to scale to become the largest and most sustainable protein producer in the country, producing and distributing over 50 million fish meals per year across Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi. 

Senior Human Resources Manager - Rwanda 

Location: Rwanda (Kagano) 

Company: Kivu Choice 

Reports To: Group HR Operations Director 

Direct Reports: HR Managers, Recruiters, HR Administrators, and Learning & Development Coordinators. 

About Kivu Choice: 

Kivu Choice is Rwanda’s largest protein producer and one of the fastest-growing aquaculture companies in Africa. Founded in 2022, Kivu Choice is the sister company to Victory Farms, East Africa’s leading aquaculture platform based in Kenya. The company operates a fully vertically integrated aquaculture model, encompassing hatchery operations, cage-based grow-out, processing, distribution, and sales. Kivu Choice is also one of the country’s largest employers, with over 700 employees, and plans to grow to 1,200 employees within the next three years, reflecting its strong commitment to job creation and inclusive economic development. Over the next five years, Kivu Choice aims to scale into Africa’s largest and most sustainable protein producer, producing and distributing 30,000 tons of fish annually for the Rwandan market and for export across the region. 

Job Purpose 

  • The Senior Human Resources Manager will lead and oversee all human resources functions for Kivu Choice Rwanda, ensuring alignment with Group HR strategy, business objectives, and local labor law requirements. The role is responsible for driving HR operations excellence, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, learning & development, workforce planning, organizational development, compliance, and employee engagement.
  • The incumbent will serve as a strategic HR partner to country leadership while ensuring effective execution of operational HR initiatives that support business growth, organizational effectiveness, and employee productivity.

Key Responsibilities 

HR Strategy & Business Partnership 

  • Implement group HR strategies, policies, and initiatives within Rwanda.
  • Partner with Country Leadership and Functional Heads to align workforce plans with business objectives.
  • Provide strategic HR guidance on organizational design, workforce optimization, talent management, and culture development.
  • Support organizational growth initiatives, restructuring, and change management programs.
  • Drive consistent implementation of Group HR standards and governance frameworks.

Human Resources Operations 

  • Lead all HR operational activities, including onboarding, employee lifecycle management, records management, and HR administration.
  • Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of HR data and employee records.
  • Develop and implement HR service delivery standards and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Manage HR budgets and ensure cost-effective utilization of resources.
  • Oversee HR systems and reporting requirements.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning 

  • Lead recruitment and workforce planning activities across all business functions.
  • Ensure robust sourcing, assessment, and selection processes.
  • Build strong talent pipelines for critical and hard-to-fill positions.
  • Partner with management to identify current and future workforce needs.
  • Monitor recruitment metrics and hiring effectiveness.

Employee Relations & Industrial Relations 

  • Lead employee relations matters and promote positive employee-employer relationships.
  • Manage disciplinary processes, grievance handling, investigations, and conflict resolution.
  • Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and labor law requirements.
  • Advise managers on employee relations issues and people management matters.
  • Support engagement with labor authorities and external stakeholders where required.

Performance Management & Talent Development 

  • Drive performance management cycles and ensure organizational compliance.
  • Support managers in setting objectives, conducting reviews, and implementing development plans.
  • Identify capability gaps and coordinate learning interventions.
  • Facilitate succession planning and talent review processes.
  • Build internal talent pipelines for critical positions.

Leadership Development & Organizational Effectiveness 

  • Coach managers and leaders on leadership effectiveness and people management.
  • Support development of future leaders through structured development programs.
  • Lead organizational development initiatives and culture transformation activities.
  • Drive employee engagement and retention strategies.

Compensation & Benefits 

  • Support implementation and administration of compensation and benefits programs.
  • Conduct salary benchmarking exercises and provide recommendations.
  • Ensure payroll inputs are accurate and submitted on time.
  • Monitor employee benefit programs and vendor performance.

Compliance & Governance 

  • Ensure compliance with Rwanda labor laws and statutory requirements.
  • Implement Group HR policies, procedures, and controls.
  • Coordinate HR audits and compliance reviews.
  • Maintain legal and regulatory compliance across all HR processes.
  • Prepare HR reports and workforce analytics for management review.

Qualifications & Experience 

Education 

  • Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, Industrial Relations, Law, or related discipline.
  • A master's degree in human resources, MBA, organizational development, or a related field is strongly preferred.

Professional Qualifications 

One or more of the following: 

  • CIPD
  • SHRM-SCP / SHRM-CP
  • HRCI Certification
  • CHRP(K)
  • IHRM Certification
  • Equivalent professional HR qualification

Experience 

  • Minimum 15 years of progressive human resources experience.
  • At least 5 years in a senior HR leadership or managerial role leading HR teams.
  • Experience managing HR functions within large, fast-paced organizations.
  • Experience in manufacturing, production, agribusiness, FMCG, logistics, or similar operational environments preferred.
  • Strong experience in employee relations, talent management, recruitment, organizational development, and HR operations.
  • Experience working within a multi-site or multi-country environment is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated track record of leading organizational change and HR transformation initiatives.

Key Competencies 

Leadership 

  • Strategic Leadership
  • People Management
  • Team Development
  • Executive Presence
  • Decision Making

Human Resources Expertise 

  • HR Operations Management
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Workforce Planning
  • Employee Relations
  • Industrial Relations
  • Performance Management
  • Succession Planning
  • Organizational Development
  • Compensation & Benefits
  • Labor Law Compliance

Business Skills 

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Business Acumen
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Project Management
  • Budget Management
  • HR Analytics and Reporting
  • Change Management
  • Problem Solving

Travel Requirements 

  • Travel within Rwanda and occasional travel to Group locations as required.
  • Approximately 20%-30% travel depending on business needs and projects.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

  • Recruitment Turnaround Time
  • Employee Turnover Rate
  • Employee Engagement Scores
  • Training & Development Completion Rates
  • Succession Readiness for Critical Roles
  • HR Audit Compliance Scores
  • Resolution of Employee Relations Cases
  • Performance Review Completion Rate
  • Workforce Productivity Metrics
  • Compliance with Rwanda Labor Laws and Group Standards

Success Profile 

The successful candidate will be a seasoned HR leader capable of balancing strategic HR leadership with hands-on operational execution, driving organizational performance while developing strong teams and ensuring full compliance across all HR functions in Rwanda. They will act as the primary HR advisor to country leadership and a key partner to the Group HR Operations Director in executing the Group's people strategy. 

How to Apply: 

  • If you are interested in this position, prepare the following:
  • Job application letter
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Copy of your degree and other academic qualifications
  • Copy of your ID How to apply: send all the required documents to our email address: recruiting@kivuchoice.com 
  • Submission Deadline: 20th November 2026.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are submitted.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.