Employee Relations Specialist (Consultant)

Locations: Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria

Deadline: February 12, 2026

Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, People and Culture Operations and Shared Services. The Employee Relations (ER) Specialist is responsible for fostering a positive, compliant, and productive workplace by managing employee relations issues, ensuring adherence to labor laws, and supporting both employees and management. The role requires strong knowledge of African labor legislation, dispute resolution, and cultural sensitivity across diverse workforces.

Duration: 1-year Consultant with option to extend – The successful candidate will be based in one of our listed offices in Africa (Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria).

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

As a consultant, the Employee Relations Specialist will strengthen the Foundation’s policies and procedures ensuring compliance with labor laws.

Advisory & Compliance

Provide expert guidance to P&C business Partners and employees on ER policies, disciplinary procedures, and labor law compliance.

Ensure alignment with local employment legislation (e.g., South Africa’s Labour Relations Act, Kenya’s Employment Act, Nigeria’s Labour Act, etc.).

Monitor and report on ER metrics, grievances, and dispute trends.

Conflict Resolution & Case Management

Ensure the Investigation and resolution of grievances, misconduct cases, and workplace disputes.

Develop strategies to minimize workplace conflict.

Stakeholder Engagement

Policy Development, update & Training

Draft, review, and implement ER policies and procedures.

Conduct training for managers and employees on ER best practices, conflict resolution, and workplace ethics.

Promote employee engagement and a positive workplace culture.

Employee relations risk identification and mitigation/management

Conduct audits to ensure compliance with ER policies and labor laws and recommend actions

Works closely with: Legal, Compliance, P&C Business Partners, Enterprise Risk Management

WHO YOU ARE

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, or related field.

8 to 10 years’ experience in Employee Relations or Industrial Relations within Africa

Strong knowledge of African labor laws and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.

Certification in HR/IR (e.g., SABPP, CIPD, or equivalent).
Experience in multinational or pan‑African organizations.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

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