Role purpose

We are seeking a Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO) to lead our global people and culture strategy.

The Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO) is a culture-shaper, strategist, and trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team. This role will define what it feels like to work at Orbis, foster an inclusive and equitable global workforce, strengthen leadership capacity, and support organizational growth and transformation.

The CPCO will:

• Champion inclusion, equity, and belonging across all levels and geographies.
• Partner with Country Directors to support office growth, leadership development, and organizational maturity.
• Lead change management aligned with Orbis’s new Global Strategy.
• Refresh global policies, systems, and frameworks to reflect best practices and local relevance.
• Strengthen safeguarding, security, and staff wellbeing.
• Mentor and coach senior leaders, Country Directors, and emerging talent.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Global Strategy

• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team, shaping organizational direction from a people and culture perspective.
• Advise the CEO and Board on workforce trends, leadership pipeline, organizational health, safeguarding, and risks.
• Lead organization-wide change management initiatives aligned with Orbis’s strategic priorities.
• Mentor senior leaders and Country Directors to strengthen leadership effectiveness and cross-border collaboration.

Global People & Culture Strategy

• Develop and implement a global people and culture strategy to attract, retain, and develop talent worldwide.
• Build equitable systems for hiring, mobility, compensation, performance, and professional growth.
• Foster a learning culture and leadership development across the organization.
• Promote a values-driven culture rooted in equity, accountability, and shared purpose.

Partnership with Country Offices

• Support Country Directors in workforce planning, succession, and office growth.
• Strengthen local People & Culture capacity to ensure alignment with global standards and local legal requirements.
• Ensure effective implementation of safeguarding, security, and staff wellbeing protocols across offices.

Organizational Culture & External Representation

• Shape and communicate Orbis’s employer brand and internal culture.
• Represent Orbis externally as an employer of choice in global health and development.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including staff, partners, and public forums.

Key Competencies

• Global & Inclusive Leader: Leads multicultural, complex organizations; translates values into practice.
• Strategic Change Leader: Guides transformation and growth with transparency, engagement, and care.
• Mentor & Coach: Builds leadership capacity across senior leaders and emerging talent.
• Culture Builder: Shapes a high-trust, purpose-driven organizational culture.
• Safeguarding & Risk Steward: Strengthens ethics, safeguarding, security, and compliance frameworks.
• Effective Communicator & Representative: Engages technical and public audiences with credibility.
• Collaborative Partner: Works across functions and in matrixed structures with influence and integrity.
• Integrity & Discretion: Trusted by colleagues at all levels; balances transparency and confidentiality.

Values & Competencies

At Orbis, our values and competencies are central to how we work and grow, both as individuals and as a global organization. These expectations apply to all employees and help ensure that we are aligned in our mission and impact.

Our Values in Action

We are guided by five values: Accountability, Commitment, Innovation, Integrity, and Equity. These values reflect how we engage with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. We expect everyone at Orbis to model these values in daily decisions and behaviors.

Our Competencies in Action

These describe the key skills and behaviors needed to succeed at Orbis. They are used in performance discussions and to support career development across roles.

Click here for a quick overview of our values and competencies.

Profile

• 15+ years of progressive experience in People & Culture, HR, or organizational development, including senior executive experience reporting to a CEO and Board.
• Significant experience in international, multicultural, or global health/development organizations.
• Proven success supporting country/regional offices in growth, organizational maturity, and leadership development.
• Experience leading global policy harmonization and enterprise-wide change management initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience strengthening safeguarding, ethics, and staff wellbeing systems.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in organizational development, HR, business, psychology, or related field preferred.
• Ability to travel internationally (~20%).

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time position.

Reporting and Working Relationships

• Reports to: CEO
• Supervises: You will oversee a team of approximately 5 staff and outside contractors/consulting roles.
• Works with: You will collaborate closely with the members of the Executive Leadership Team, Country Directors, and liaise with Orbis employees around the world.

Orbis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

We encourage applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, particularly those underrepresented in the international nonprofit sector. Orbis is proud to foster an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully and thrive.

Role Location

Global

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 27 March 2026 (23:59 hrs, GMT +3). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by Orbis International to undertake this assignment.