Background

The African Christian University (ACU) is established under the auspices of the Reformed Baptist Churches of Zambia to provide tertiary education to glorify God in the African context. ACU is committed to a holistic, life-transforming Christian higher education. This vision is pursued through excellence in scholarship, mentoring, and training for servant-leadership through the student labour program, all rooted in a biblical worldview. ACU aims to produce graduates who are able to bring biblical discernment to all disciplines, as well as excellence and a stewardship mindset to all areas of professional practice.

Our Core Values

In carrying out its vision, ACU is committed to the following core values:

• Biblical worldview (living the Word)
• Authority of Scripture
• Reformed in theology
• Excellence in scholarship
• Faculty mentorship
• Whole-life transformation
• Relevant to Africa

Scope of the Role

The Human Resources Director will provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of people-management strategies that support the University’s mission, Christian values, strategic objectives, and commitment to academic and administrative excellence.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic, Leadership and Regulatory Compliance

   Providing strategic leadership and direction for the University’s Human Resources function.

   Developing, implementing, and reviewing HR policies, procedures, systems, and programmes in accordance with applicable labour laws and best practice.

   Providing strategic advice to the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Management, and other University leaders on people-related matters.

   Ensuring compliance with employment legislation, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.

   Sit on board committee as secretary.

2. Employee Welfare and Management

   Leading workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee retention initiatives.

   Overseeing recruitment, selection, appointment, induction, performance management, promotion, and separation processes.

   Developing and implementing effective staff performance management and employee development programmes.

   Leading staff training, professional development, leadership development, and capacity-building initiatives.

   Promoting positive employee relations and maintaining a healthy, respectful, and values-driven work environment.

   Overseeing the management of employee relations, disciplinary matters, grievances, and other workplace issues.

   Developing and managing competitive compensation, benefits, and employee welfare programmes.

   Supporting organisational change, institutional development, and culture-building initiatives.

   Promoting employee engagement, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and professional excellence.

   Providing leadership to the Human Resources team and building a high-performing HR function.

3. Reporting, Budgeting and Information Management

   Developing HR analytics and reports to support evidence-based decision-making.

   Preparing and managing the HR budget and ensuring effective utilisation of resources.

   Maintaining accurate and confidential employee records and strengthening HR information systems and reporting.

   Complete management of payroll and financial HR employee benefits and obligations.

   Liasson with regulatory bodies such as NHIMA, NAPSA, ZRA and HEA on HR matters.

   Performing any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Vice-Chancellor.

Qualifications

The applicant should have the following qualifications:

• Full grade 12 certificate
• A bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Industrial Relations, or a related discipline.
• Paid up member of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM)
• Minimum 5 (five) years’ work experience in senior management
• ZAQA certification

Competencies and Attributes

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting standards
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, employee relations, performance management, talent management, organisational development, and HR best practices.
• Proven experience in leading and developing HR teams.
• Excellent strategic planning, analytical, interpersonal, negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing HR policies and systems.
• Proficiency in HR information systems and relevant digital technologies.
• Honest, reliable, and able to work under pressure

• Providing strategic leadership and direction for the University’s Human Resources function.
• Developing, implementing, and reviewing HR policies, procedures, systems, and programmes in accordance with applicable labour laws and best practice.
• Providing strategic advice to the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Management, and other University leaders on people-related matters.
• Ensuring compliance with employment legislation, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Sit on board committee as secretary.
• Leading workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee retention initiatives.
• Overseeing recruitment, selection, appointment, induction, performance management, promotion, and separation processes.
• Developing and implementing effective staff performance management and employee development programmes.
• Leading staff training, professional development, leadership development, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Promoting positive employee relations and maintaining a healthy, respectful, and values-driven work environment.
• Overseeing the management of employee relations, disciplinary matters, grievances, and other workplace issues.
• Developing and managing competitive compensation, benefits, and employee welfare programmes.
• Supporting organisational change, institutional development, and culture-building initiatives.
• Promoting employee engagement, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and professional excellence.
• Providing leadership to the Human Resources team and building a high-performing HR function.
• Developing HR analytics and reports to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Preparing and managing the HR budget and ensuring effective utilisation of resources.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential employee records and strengthening HR information systems and reporting.
• Complete management of payroll and financial HR employee benefits and obligations.
• Liasson with regulatory bodies such as NHIMA, NAPSA, ZRA and HEA on HR matters.
• Performing any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Vice-Chancellor.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting standards
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, employee relations, performance management, talent management, organisational development, and HR best practices.
• Proven experience in leading and developing HR teams.
• Excellent strategic planning, analytical, interpersonal, negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing HR policies and systems.
• Proficiency in HR information systems and relevant digital technologies.
• Honest, reliable, and able to work under pressure

• Full grade 12 certificate
• A bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Industrial Relations, or a related discipline.
• Paid up member of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM)
• Minimum 5 (five) years’ work experience in senior management
• ZAQA certification