Director of People and Culture, Uganda

WHO WE ARE

At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. We’ve worked all around the world and are currently active in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. TREES has planted over 400 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet.

In Uganda, our 75 staff work with more than 7,000 farmers in Mt. Elgon, Busoga, and Mbale to implement the Forest Garden Approach. This year, we’ll plant over 11 million trees, improving food security, restoring ecosystems, and fostering resilience for farming families and their communities.

Learn more at trees.org.

THE ROLE

The Director of People and Culture, Uganda is a key member of the TREES Uganda leadership team, responsible for building and sustaining people systems that enable staff to deliver high-quality program impact. Reporting to the Country Director, Uganda and working in close collaboration with the Global People and Culture team, this role leads the People and Culture function in Uganda, ensuring strong talent management, operational excellence, and legal and policy compliance. This role is full-time and on-site, based in Mbale.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Country People and Culture Leadership

• Serve as the senior People and Culture leader for Uganda, providing overall strategic leadership and direction for all people-related matters across the country program.
• The Director plays a critical role in shaping a high-performing, values-driven, and compliant work environment that enables staff to effectively deliver on TREES’ mission.
• Act as a trusted strategic advisor to the Country Director and Management Team, providing guidance on organizational design, workforce strategy, performance, culture, risk management, and compliance.
• Translate global People and Culture strategies, frameworks, and policies into locally relevant, legally compliant, and operationally effective country-level practices.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Uganda People and Culture functions team, building strong functional capability, clear accountability, and succession within the function. This role manages one direct report, and they will be in charge of the role definition and hiring.
• Partner closely with Global People and Culture, Finance and Operations teams to ensure strong governance and alignment.

People Operations, Systems and Compliance

• Provide overall leadership and quality assurance for all People and Culture operations in Uganda, ensuring consistent, timely, and high-quality service delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with Ugandan labor laws, statutory requirements, and internal organizational policies.
• Oversee the adaptation, implementation, and enforcement of the Uganda People and Culture Manual, Code of Conduct, and safeguarding policies.
• Serve as the country lead for HRIS (Rippling), ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and reporting quality.
• Provide strategic oversight of payroll preparation and benefits administration.
• Lead internal and external audits related to HR and compliance.

Workforce Planning, Recruitment and Performance Management

• Lead workforce planning aligned with strategic priorities and funding realities.
• Provide oversight of recruitment for all Uganda-based roles.
• Ensure onboarding and offboarding processes support strong employee experience.
• Oversee implementation of the performance management framework.
• Support and coach managers on people leadership.

Employee Relations, Safeguarding and Staff Welfare

• Serve as the senior lead for employee relations in Uganda.
• Collaborate with the CARE Office and Legal on safeguarding matters.
• Promote a psychologically safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health, safety, and welfare requirements.

Engagement, Culture, Learning and Development

• Champion TREES’ mission, values, and organizational culture.
• Oversee staff engagement surveys and action planning.
• Identify learning and development needs and oversee training initiatives.
• Support teams through organizational change.

Strategic Projects, Analytics and Continuous Improvement

• Lead country-level People and Culture strategic projects.
• Use people data and analytics to inform decision-making.
• Contribute to global People and Culture initiatives.
• Continuously improve People and Culture systems and practices.

WHO YOU ARE

• An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission and values. You are inspired to empower teams working to grow vibrant economies, thriving food systems, and a healthier planet.
• A firm and empathetic People and Culture leader. You bring deep experience leading country-level HR functions within complex, growing organizations, ideally in international development or nonprofit environments.
• A trusted strategic advisor. You are comfortable partnering with senior leaders, navigating complexity, and balancing people-centered leadership with operational rigor.
• A systems and operations expert. You have strong experience with HRIS platforms, compliance, payroll coordination, and process improvement.
• A values-driven leader. You are guided by integrity, confidentiality, and fairness, and you bring a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• A strong communicator and relationship builder. You build trust easily across functions, cultures, and levels of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive People and Culture / HR experience, including senior leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading country-level HR operations and advising senior leadership.
• Strong knowledge of Ugandan labor law and HR compliance requirements.
• Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM, HRCI, IHRM or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• Membership to the Uganda Human Resource Managers Association.
• Fluency in spoken and written English required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS

TREES is an international organization that strives to be the best home for staff wanting to make an impact on the farmers we serve. We believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence and innovation.

We offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with a competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, workers’ compensation, and substantial paid time off, including annual and sick leave.

APPLY

If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply with 1) a cover letter that explains why TREES’ work excites you and why this role is a fit for you, and 2) your resume by August 16^th 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Trees for the Future is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.