About the Organisation
The Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) is the German Green Political Foundation, affiliated to the "Alliance '90/The Greens" political party. As part of a global green network, HBF works with more than 100 project partners in over 60 countries and currently maintain almost 40 international offices. In Southern Africa, HBF has been actively promoting the consolidation of democracy and human rights, advancing gender equality, and taking action to prevent the destruction of the environment since 1989.
About the Job
The Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) seeks a Human Resources Manager to serve as Central Ombudsperson for its global Ombud System, operating at 50% FTE. The Central Ombuds HR Manager will address discrimination, mobbing, and workplace conflicts across international offices. Based in Cape Town but operating globally, the role coordinates and supports 12 regional ombudspersons, facilitates complaint handling, and leads the strategic development of the Ombud System launched in 2023. The position requires strong HR conflict resolution experience, cross-cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to feminist and decolonial values in practice.
Key Responsibilities
Management of a global team of 12 regional ombudspersons, who act as first point of contact for colleagues in the national offices and represent the Ombud System in addition to their regular roles with HBF offices worldwide.
Planning and implementing of regular and ad hoc meetings.
Organising training activities in collaboration with external facilitators.
Internal communications and outreach in collaboration with the regional ombudspersons.
Regular reporting including compiling lessons learned as input to develop HBF’s global work environment.
Coordinate the election of regional ombudspersons.
Supervision of case management and assessment of regional ombudspersons.
Management of severe cases including conducting interviews.
Liaison with the leadership of HBF’s international cooperation department and, where applicable, other HBF complaint systems (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment, Anti-Corruption).
Strategic development of the Ombud System in collaboration with the leadership of HBF International Cooperation department in Berlin.
Strategic development of conflict-management issues related to the work in the field of international development under pressure.
Requirements
A university degree in a related discipline such as law, psychology, business and administration. We consider all disciplines with relevant work experience.
Ideally, at least five years of work experience in an HR and/or conflict resolution/mediation capacity.
Skills and experience in conflict resolution and/or mediation in an organisational HR context.
First-hand experience coordinating (remotely) an international team.
Understanding of a globally operating organisation with local offices in terms of different layers of legal environments, and internal regulations, cultural differences, and levels of hierarchy, etc.
Strong oral and written communication skills and feeling comfortable to communicate in different kinds of settings with various actors (e.g. local staff, office directors, HBF leadership) including with non-native English speakers.
Ability to communicate clearly, calmly and assertively in situations of conflict.
Ability to work independently.
Empathetic approach combined with the ability to remain objective and maintain professional boundaries.
Foreign language skills are an asset: Spanish, German, French.
A general affinity and curiosity to engage with intersectional feminist and de-colonial perspectives on Human Resources Management.
A sense of humour.
If non-South African: an RSA work-permit valid until end of 2025.
To apply
Please note this is a 6-month renewable contract.
To apply, email your application by Monday 9th June 2025 to melissa@actionappointments.co.za
