People Data and Compliance Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa.

The People Data and Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all HR people data, payroll inputs, and benefit-related information across the employee lifecycle. The role plays a critical governance function by maintaining compliant People & Culture systems, supporting statutory reporting, and acting as the subject matter expert for People & Culture data, payroll liaison, benefits administration, and workforce reporting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

People & Culture Data Management & Systems

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date digital employee records across all People & Culture systems, ensuring a single source of truth.
• Ensure that the internal HRIS reflects all personnel changes and is aligned with payroll outputs.
• Manage employee data throughout the lifecycle, including onboarding, changes of status, and terminations on BusinessWorld.

Leave Management

• Conduct monthly leave reconciliations, ensuring:
• Accurate leave balances for all employees.
• Supporting documentation is held for all leave categories.
• Employees have clear visibility of their leave balances and are warned when they are about to forfeit leave or have run out of sick leave.

Payroll Liaison & Data Integrity

• Serve as the primary liaison with the outsourced payroll service provider.
• Compile, verify, and submit all payroll input documentation accurately and within agreed timelines.
• Ensure the correct implementation of company pay and benefits policies within payroll processes e.g., PAS checks before hire, implementation of CI parental leave policies, etc.
• Support payroll audits by ensuring data quality, traceability, and compliance.

Compliance & Governance (POPIA and Statutory)

• Ensure that reasonable organisational measures are in place to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
• Maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive people data at all times.
• Prepare and provide accurate base data for statutory reporting, including, but not limited to: Employment Equity (EE) Reports and Skills Development and related submissions.
• Ensure UIF documentation is accurately completed and provided to employees in a timely manner.
• Maintain compliance documentation and audit trails as required – act as the point of contact for HR for both the internal and external audit processes.

Lifecycle Controls

• Ensure contracts, end dates, and extensions are tracked and reported on accurately.

• Provide proactive reporting on contracts nearing end-of-term to support workforce planning.

Timesheet Compliance Management

• Drive timesheet compliance across the organisation.
• Upskill and support employees and managers to: Complete timesheets accurately and submit timesheets timeously.
• Monitor compliance trends and address systemic issues in collaboration with managers.

Reporting & Insights

• Prepare and deliver people data reports as requested by leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure reports are accurate, timely, and aligned to system data.
• Support decision-making by translating data into meaningful, actionable insights where required.

Benefits Administration

• Act as the primary point of contact for: Company Medical aid queries and IRSP
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) on employee benefits, working closely with providers and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure all benefit changes are accurately reflected in HR systems and payroll.

Assist with Recruitment of new hires and additional tasks assigned, as necessary.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment
• Ability and willingness to travel to field sites within southern Africa once per quarter.
• Flexibility to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
• Position based in Cape Town or Johannesburg, South Africa.
• This role will be a fixed-term assignment, anticipated to begin 1 May 2026 and end 30 April 2027.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Relevant qualification in Business, Data Management, or related field.
• 4 to 6 years of experience aligned to CI guidelines.
• At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory role.

Preferred

• Bachelors degree
• Strong attention to detail and high data integrity standards.
• Excellent understanding of HR data, payroll inputs, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Sound working knowledge of South African statutory requirements.
• Advanced administrative and organisational skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and vendor liaison capability.
• High levels of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion.
• Proficiency in HRIS platforms (BusinessWorld and Workday or similar advantageous) and high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: March 20, 2026 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.

Application Outcome & Future Opportunities - Should you not hear back from us within two weeks of the closing date for this advertisement, please consider your application not successful. We encourage you to apply for any future roles that align with your skill set. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Employment Equity & Legal Compliance Disclaimer - We are committed to fair employment practices and abide by the Employment Equity Act (Act No. 55 of 1998, as amended), the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and all related regulations. We promote transformation by eliminating unfair discrimination and implementing affirmative action measures for designated groups, including Black people, women, and people with disabilities. As a designated employer, we have implemented an Employment Equity Plan aligned with sectoral and national benchmarks, and we monitor and report progress annually in compliance with the Employment Equity Regulations (2025). When entering into offers or contracts with any organ of state, we comply with Section 53 of the Act by attaching either a valid Employment Equity compliance certificate or a declaration of compliance with Chapters II and III of the Act, as required.

Personal Data - In terms of the POPIA, the use of your personal data and sensitive personal data will be used for the following purposes: to communicate with you regarding positions you have applied for, to assess your skills, qualifications, and suitability, as well as to obtain references and conduct background checks when necessary.