At M-KOPA, our people are our most valuable asset! Without sound people practices, balance and efficient people processes, our company just doesn't run the same!

We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Senior People Partner to join our dynamic HR team at M-KOPA. As the People Partner for our South African Market you’ll play a pivotal role in driving our people agenda and supporting the growth of our business.

Why M-KOPA?

We are a diverse and inclusive company that empowers our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training. We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility.

About the role:

Reporting to the HR Director for Markets, you’ll be a trusted advisor and strategic partner to executive and senior leaders. You’ll connect with internal HR functions and guide key people processes and initiatives, directly influencing our organizational success by designing and implementing talent and organizational strategies that keep us moving forward.

In this role, you’ll lead critical organizational, talent, and change initiatives, shaping a culture of high performance and growth. You’ll also mentor and coach other People Partners, contributing to the broader success of our People function. If you’re passionate about creating innovative, people-first solutions that drive business success, we’d love to connect with you!

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Work closely with senior leaders to align business priorities with people strategies.

• Partner with People and Market/Functional Leadership to tackle organizational challenges and deliver creative solutions.

• Lead and support the rollout of strategic initiatives across your client groups and the organization.

• Use data and analytics to shape people strategies, track key metrics, and provide actionable insights that drive decision-making.

• Monitor HR trends within your client groups to proactively address emerging issues and opportunities.

Organizational Development & Talent Management

• Design and implement org design, workforce retention, retention, and succession strategies as needed.

• Facilitate talent mapping and reviews with leaders and managers, ensuring actionable outcomes.

• Connect employees and managers with impactful learning and development opportunities, including mentorship and coaching.

• Lead employee engagement initiatives, including surveys and follow-up actions to enhance overall engagement.

Performance Management

• Partner with managers to cultivate a high-performance, growth-oriented culture, ensuring fair and effective performance management processes.

• Advise managers on team performance management via a data driven approach.

• Proactively address underperformance, guiding managers through resolution with professionalism.

Employee Relations

• Offer dedicated coaching to managers and employees, focusing on advocacy, HR fundamentals, and employee relations.

• Ensure that employee relations issues are properly identified, reported, investigated and resolved, serving as an escalation point for your populations

• Ensure consistent application of policies and compliance with labor practice, promoting an ethical work environment.

• Manage labor partnerships and act as the go-to expert on local labor practices, handling escalations as needed.

• Provide leadership and guidance during crises or sensitive situations, ensuring clear communication and swift resolution.

Relationships & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Talent Acquisition, Shared Services, and Employee Experience teams.

• Collaborate with these groups to define and implement effective business interventions.

• Act as a liaison between different functions to ensure cohesive and aligned people strategies across the organization.

• Coach leaders on best practices in management and communication.

Change & Project Management

• Lead and support the implementation of key strategic initiatives, managing risks, tracking progress, and reporting outcomes.

• Develop and execute change management strategies, providing expertise on risk mitigation and delivery.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Bring 8-10 years of HR experience, with at least 3-4 years coaching and advising senior leaders in dynamic environments.

• Have hands-on People Partnering experience with proven success in fast-paced, high-growth, matrixed organizations.

• Are skilled in developing & implementing People strategies that address critical business needs.

• Have a strong track record of designing impactful talent and organizational development initiatives that deliver real results.

• Are an expert coach and trusted advisor, capable of guiding employees, managers, and leaders through complex challenges.

• Navigate employee relations with ease, adapting global labor practices to local contexts.

• Lead change with confidence, effectively managing key People projects and multiple priorities.

• Build strong relationships across all levels, creating trust and collaboration with stakeholders.

This is a full-time, onsite role with some hybrid flexibility. You’ll work local hours in South Africa, supporting managers and colleagues both in-person and virtually. You’ll also collaborate with a global People team across Africa and Europe.

Recognized thrice by the Financial Times as one Africa's fastest growing company (2022, 2023 and 2024) and by TIME100 Most influential companies in the world 2023 and 2024. We've served over 4 million customers, unlocking $1 billion in cumulative credit for the unbanked across Africa.