Job Description

HUMAN RESOURCE BUSINESS PARTNER
PERMANANET
HEAD QUARTERS; WOODSTOCK
The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) is a registered non-profit organisation focused on the pursuit of excellence in research, treatment, training and prevention of HIV and related infections in Southern Africa.
We have fantastic job opportunities across our businesses for talented people wanting to realize their full potential. Could that be you? If so, we invite you to explore the possibility of joining us to play your part in Desmond Tutu Health Foundations' exciting future.
The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) will serve as a strategic and operational HR partner to management and research teams, providing end-to-end HR support in a complex, regulated health research and NGO environment. The role requires strong HR expertise, sound labour relations knowledge, and experience supporting multidisciplinary teams within healthcare or pharmaceutical settings.

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Industrial Psychology, or related field
• Postgraduate HR qualification will be an advantage
• Minimum of 5 years' HR generalist or HRBP experience, preferably within NGO, healthcare, clinical research, or pharmaceutical environments
• Strong knowledge of South African labour legislation
• Proven ability to work with multidisciplinary teams (clinicians, researchers, field staff, support services)
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet)
• Excellent communications skills (verbal and written)
• Valid Driver's License and own transport

Advantageous:

• Experience working with donor-funded or grant-funded projects (advantageous)
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
• Planning and organizing skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong decision-making skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure

Responsibilities:
Strategic HR Partnering & Consulting

• Partner with leadership and management to align HR strategies with organizational and research objectives
• Provide proactive HR advice on workforce planning, organizational design, and change management
• Support line managers with people-related risk management and decision-making
• Contribute to HR policies, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide EE input into workforce planning and organisational design

Recruitment & Workforce Planning

• Manage end-of-the-end recruitment processes for research, clinical, and support roles
• Support workforce planning in line with project funding, donor requirements, and operational needs
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure timely, compliant, and quality appointments
• Support onboarding and induction to enable early productivity and retention

Training, Learning & Development

• Identify organizational and individual training needs through skills audits and performance data
• Coordinate and support training, development, and capacity-building initiatives
• Support performance management and career development processes
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and skills transfer within teams

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Support and advise on disciplinary processes, grievances, and poor performance cases
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, organizational policies, and donor requirements
• Support managers with fair, consistent, and legally sound employee relations practices
• Promote positive employee engagement, wellness, and ethical conduct

HR Administration & Payroll Support

• Provide oversight and support to payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Manage HR administration, employee records, contracts and HR systems
• Support leave management, timesheets, and HR reporting requirements
• Ensure accurate HR data for audits, reporting and organizational decision-making

Values fit: Passion Innovation Progress Integrity Respect Excellence
Submit a detailed cover letter, updated CV with certified copy of highest qualification and details of two (2) current contactable referees by 13 February 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you are a foreign national applying for this position, please attach a copy of your work permit to your application.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
If you have not heard from us within four weeks after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
We are committed to equity in our employment practices. It is our intention to appoint individuals with the aim of meeting our equity objectives. We reserve the right not to appoint if no suitable candidates are identified.
I understand and accept that by applying for this position, I authorized DTHF to process my personal information in accordance with its internal operational requirements.
I further understand that the personal information I disclose to DTHF will be processed in accordance with the requirements set out in the Protection of Personal Information Act and may include the transferring thereof to third parties for the purposes of verification.
This job may be removed before it expires.
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation is a child-friendly organisation committed to the protection of children.
For more information about the organization please visit our website.

Skills Required