Vice President People

About MEDA

MEDA is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty. Working in agri-food market systems, focusing primarily on women and youth in rural communities in the Global South for decent job creation. MEDA recently celebrated 70 remarkable years of investing in entrepreneurs; harnessing the power of business to create sustainable and lasting solutions to poverty for entrepreneurs around the globe.

MEDA has an ambitious goal to create and sustain decent work for 500,000 people in emerging economies by 2030. To achieve this, MEDA is shifting its focus beyond project-specific efforts to establish lasting alliances that bring about systemic change. MEDA is committed to cultivating long-term partnerships at the national, regional, and systemic levels in the areas where they operate.

MEDA’s work is guided by 3 principles:

Agri-food Market Systems: MEDA directs its efforts toward specific agri-food market systems in the Global South. The approach involves addressing social norms, power dynamics, and systemic inequalities by collaborating with stakeholders to develop culturally appropriate strategies, aiming to expand choices and opportunities within these systems.

North-South Equilibrium: MEDA is committed to decolonization which will lead to localization, intentionally transferring power from the Global North to the Global South through the design and delivery of initiatives and evolving into a relevant role as an iNGO that allows for the growth of organizations in the global south, increased coordination and reduced fragmentation in the approach of how it works.

Partnerships for Systems-Level Impact: MEDA actively seeks and creates opportunities aligned with long-term strategic goals. This involves pursuing transformational and sustainable solutions through collaborative projects. Employing a multi-sector approach, the organization aims to generate sustainable and resilient results.

About the role

The Vice President People & Culture (VP P&C) is a pivotal member of MEDA’s executive leadership team, responsible for shaping the vision, strategy, and execution of organizational effectiveness through talent and culture management programs. This role collaborates with the leadership team and key stakeholders to cultivate an empowered, values-driven workplace culture, and actively plan for future talent needs. The job holder will offer strategic counsel to guide the organization through the complexities of culture and effective talent utilization and retention.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the VP P&C leads MEDA’s programs and strategies related to employees and culture supporting the creation of a high-performance culture aligned with MEDA’s strategic goals. Expertise in change management and innovation is essential for success in this role. This role will champion change management and innovation, ensuring MEDA remains agile in a dynamic external landscape.

This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to drive transformational change across MEDA’s global operations from implementing their newly rolled-out regional structure to fostering a culture of accountability, fairness, and proactive engagement.

This role will lead the cultural shift that propels us forward and position MEDA as an employer of choice globally. It is an opportunity to make a global difference for strategic doers who excel in fast-paced environments and have proven track records in operational oversight and global team management while being the external face of MEDA, championing the organization’s commitment to impactful change and efficiency on a global scale.

Location: Hybrid/Remote – The role can be located anywhere, but the individual must have the ability to work and be hired in locations where MEDA have offices preferably in Canada & US. Other locations may be considered.

Key dimensions of the role:

Executive Function (15%)

• Serve on MEDA’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), offering guidance on organizational matters.
• Lead and manage the People & Culture Division.
• Contribute to MEDA’s strategic direction and planning.
• Collaborate on budget development with ELT and department managers.
• Oversee staff performance, development, and engagement.
• Report to and interact with the MEDA board and its committees.
• Enhance MEDA’s visibility at external events and with donors.
• Represent MEDA on investee company boards.
• Participate in crisis and security management teams.
• Uphold MEDA’s mission, vision, and values.

Strategy and Planning (15%)

• Lead annual planning and review for the People & Culture Division.
• Align P&C team goals with organizational plans and scorecard targets.
• Ensure effective structure and function of the P&C team.
• Provide leadership for projects and change management initiatives.
• Integrate workforce planning and talent management across MEDA.
• Lead workforce planning and talent sustainability initiatives.
• Support Board-level succession planning for key roles.

Organizational Effectiveness (15%)

• Oversee initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention.
• Manage a balanced total rewards program.
• Recommend improvements to supporting systems for talent and culture management.
• Use metrics and analysis to influence decision-making aligned with MEDA’s objectives.
• Present information to diverse audiences and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.

Leadership and Talent Management (15%)

• Support the CEO with development and team building for the executive team.
• Oversee talent acquisition, retention strategies, and employment programs.
• Implement integrated talent management solutions, including executive coaching and leadership development.
• Ensure delivery of core learning programs and measure their outcomes.
• Monitor high-performing employees and promote succession planning.
• Manage performance tools that reflect MEDA’s values and competencies.
• Develop and implement diversity and inclusion strategies.
• Lead leadership development programs and organization-wide competency framework.

Workplace Culture Management (10%)

• Develop and monitor strategies to maintain a healthy workplace culture.
• Develop, lead and oversee a People & Culture Internal and External Communication Strategy.
• Proactively drives effective employee communications in partnership with the leadership team.
• Act as the focal point for employee support, safety, and well-being.
• Address workplace culture issues in line with MEDA’s values.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, and recognition.

People & Culture Management (10%)

• Advise leadership on people & culture strategies and risk mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws in all operational regions.
• Oversee people & culture technology implementation.
• Provide data analysis and reporting for senior management.

Corporate Administration Leadership (10%)

• Lead MEDA’s Corporate Administration services.
• Coordinate the Executive Assistant Team to support the CEO and ELT.
• Oversee MEDA’s transition to a globally dispersed workforce.
• Strategize on shared workspaces and offices globally.

Health, Safety, and Security Leadership (10%)

• Oversee MEDA’s safety and security framework and crisis management.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies.
• Monitor and address concerns reported through official channels.
• Advise on safety and security best practices.
• Promote a culture of health, safety, and security across the organization.

Experience, Skills and Competencies

• University degree, preferably Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional Human Resources designation such as the CHRP is an asset.
• Seven to ten years of senior human resource management experience in a combination of private sector and non-profit organizations, ideally in the international development arena.
• Senior leadership experience in shaping organizational culture through communication, events, and other methods.
• Proven experience managing organizational change, building and retaining teams, and implementing talent retention strategies.
• Experience working in a non-profit, ideally in an international development context is an asset.
• Strong organizational and staff management skills and proven ability to successfully deliver/implement/execute initiatives, processes, and policies.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and written communication skills with and experience dealing with issues of confidential and sensitive nature.
• Strong understanding of North American regions and other relevant areas where MEDA has presence.
• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development, and MEDA’s approach to creating business solutions to poverty.

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodation is available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are dedicated to supporting our Clients in building and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces and culture, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.