Head of People

Head of People

Salary: £55,000–£60,000 per annum

Location: Hybrid (UK-based) with travel to Cornwall at least once per month

Contract: Full-time, permanent (flexible working considered)

Are you an experienced People leader who cares deeply about equity, safeguarding and building healthy, resilient organisations? Do you thrive in roles where people, policy and organisational risk intersect? This is an exceptional opportunity to join an international charity working in partnership with Indigenous and local communities to protect rainforests and strengthen community resilience.

We’re looking for a Head of People who can bring clarity, compassion and strategic leadership to a global team. You’ll shape the organisation’s people strategy, lead safeguarding, strengthen culture, and ensure the systems and policies are in place for staff across multiple countries to work safely and effectively.

As Head of People, you will:

People, Culture & DEI

• Lead all HR and People functions in the UK, with oversight across international teams.
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, performance management, and organisational change.
• Coach and support managers to build strong, inclusive and high-performing teams.
• Oversee fair and consistent recruitment processes across countries.
• Lead the organisation’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Own people-related policies, performance frameworks and progression pathways.
• Ensure HR systems, data and reporting are accurate, compliant and well used.

Safeguarding

• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead.
• Maintain and embed safeguarding policies, training and reporting processes.
• Work closely with Country Managers to ensure strong safeguarding practice in varied cultural contexts.
• Lead or oversee safeguarding case management and escalation.
• Collaborate with external safeguarding specialists where needed.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Take senior ownership of people-related risk, safeguarding, DEI and duty of care.
• Ensure mandatory policies are up to date, understood and followed.
• Oversee data protection compliance and safe handling of sensitive information.

Travel Safety & Incident Management

• Provide senior oversight of staff travel safety and duty of care, particularly in higher risk contexts.
• Maintain clear travel and incident response processes.
• Act as a senior escalation point for people-related incidents.

Leadership & Organisational Development

• Play a full role in the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategy and organisational planning.
• Lead organisational change initiatives to strengthen ways of working.
• Line manage and develop the People & Operations Coordinator.

Who We’re Looking For

• Strong experience in HR/People leadership roles, including employee relations and manager support.
• Experience in safeguarding leadership, risk management and compliance.
• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience.
• Ability to build trust and work effectively across cultures, teams and countries.
• Confident decision-maker with sound judgement and a collaborative approach.
• Deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.
• Comfortable working at senior leadership level.
• Strong digital skills and confidence working with HR systems and people data.
• Experience working with budgets and people-related financial information.
• A genuine interest in humanitarian and environmental work.

Desired (but not essential):

• Spanish language skills.
• Experience in the charity, NGO or not for profit sector.
• Experience working across multiple countries or with remote teams.
• Experience supporting organisational change during growth or transition.

Why Join?

• Flexible working, including remote working options.
• Generous leave policies and enhanced family, sickness and medical leave.
• Learning & Development budget for every employee.
• Mental health and wellbeing support, including 24/7 EAP access.
• Opportunities to volunteer and support good causes.
• Work as part of a mission-driven organisation making a tangible global impact.

For more information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact Hannah at NFP People.