Olagnidé Raoul YAKPA
Human Resources and Administration Director
Zoundja,Abomey-Calavi
Summary
- Senior Human Resources & Administration Executive with 15+ years of progressive leadership experience across international NGOs, public institutions and multi-country private groups in West Africa. Bilingual (French/English) HR & Legal strategist combining deep labour law expertise with large-scale workforce management and organizational transformation. Proven track record leading HR operations across up to 5 countries, aligning people strategy with organizational growth, compliance, and performance culture. Experienced in high-complexity environments involving international donors (USAID, USDA…), regulatory authorities, senior leadership boards and multicultural teams. Recognized for leading sensitive labour negotiations, mitigating legal risk exposure, implementing HR systems, and driving workforce performance in dynamic and highly regulated environments. Core leadership impact includes:
- Workforce management across multi-site operations
- Labour law compliance and risk mitigation
- Organizational restructuring and change leadership
- Talent acquisition strategy and leadership development
- HR systems implementation and performance frameworks
- Gender equity & inclusive workplace leadership
- Executive advisory to Country Directors and Boards Seeking senior regional or global HR leadership assignments where strategic workforce governance, compliance expertise, and transformation leadership can drive sustainable organizational impact.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources and Administration Director
Population Services International/ABMS- BENIN
03.2023 - Current
- Lead the full HR and administrative function for a development organization operating through headquarters and field offices.
- Lead end-to-end workforce planning and recruitment aligned with global standards
- Serve as strategic HR advisor to Country Leadership Team
- Ensure full compliance with national labour legislation and PSI global policies
- Drive performance culture aligned with donor-funded program requirements
- Oversee HR governance, employee relations and risk mitigation
Group HR Director
Group Media Contact
07.2020 - 01.2023
- Provide strategic HR leadership across a regional group operating in five African countries: Benin, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon.
- Multi-country Operations (5 African countries)
- Designed and implemented harmonized HR policies across multi-country operations
- Standardized recruitment, compensation and performance frameworks
- Provided cross-border labour compliance oversight
- Advised executive leadership on workforce risk and organizational scaling
Human Resources Director (HRM)
National Agency for Environment - BENIN
Cotonou
06.2019 - 07.2020
- Led the HR transformation of a national public institution integrating environmental policy into government strategy.
- Managed complex senior-level labor disputes and terminations
- Oversaw recruitment, payroll, and workforce administration
- Implemented HR management tools including payroll and performance systems
- Led HR budgeting and workforce planning
FREELANCE CONSULTANT
Cotonou
03.2019 - 05.2019
- Reviewed and updated the HR manual for UNaCREP, funded by PASMIF/DID project
- Conducted workshops for MFIs staff about Gender, funded by PASMIF/DID project
Human Resources Director (HRM)
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)- BENIN-TOGO PROGRAM
Cotonou
06.2014 - 02.2019
- Directed HR strategy for a bi-national USAID/USDA funded program.
- Oversaw full HR lifecycle across headquarters and field offices
- Served as Regional HR Focal Point for West Africa
- Promoted high-performance and donor-compliant HR governance
- Led talent acquisition and retention strategy
- Provided in person support to Burundi HR department
Human Resources Director & Legal Assistant
CPEC
01.2007 - 12.2014
- Built and structured the HR department from inception in a leading microfinance institution.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Human Resources Management
International Institute of Management-Cotonou & University of Bruxelles
01.2012
Master's degree - Public Law
University of Abomey-Calavi
01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Abomey-Calavi
Master's degree - International Law and International Organizations
University of Abomey-Calavi
Skills
- Award from Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
- Former Regional HR focal point
- Gender Champion
- Regional HR Champion for West Africa
- Translation skills
- Computing
- Microsoft Office
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Infopath
- VISIO
- Bridger
- Social media
- Driving license
Certification
- Great manager Training, Population International Services, 2024-11-01
- Human resources management, HEC Montréal, 2024-01-01
- Generative AI, recruiting and talent acquisitions, LinkedIn learning, 2023-01-01
- Talents management, CRS Learns, 2016-01-01
- Recruitment and retention strategies, CRS Learns, 2016-01-01
- Performance management/Coaching, CRS Learns, 2016-01-01
- Job design and evaluation, Birches Group, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2016-01-01
- Benefit and Compensation management, Birches Group, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2015-01-01
Other Consultant Experiences
- 2022-02-01, Women'Act Accelerate: Mentorship program / Women empowerment
- 2022-02-01, University of Abomey-Calavi: Consultant-Trainer/ Developed and conducted on: >
- 2021-02-01, University of Abomey-Calavi: Consultant-Trainer on >
Timeline
Human Resources and Administration Director
Population Services International/ABMS- BENIN
03.2023 - Current
Group HR Director
Group Media Contact
07.2020 - 01.2023
Human Resources Director (HRM)
National Agency for Environment - BENIN
06.2019 - 07.2020
FREELANCE CONSULTANT
03.2019 - 05.2019
Human Resources Director (HRM)
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)- BENIN-TOGO PROGRAM
06.2014 - 02.2019
Human Resources Director & Legal Assistant
CPEC
01.2007 - 12.2014
Master of Business Administration - Human Resources Management
International Institute of Management-Cotonou & University of Bruxelles
Master's degree - Public Law
University of Abomey-Calavi
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Abomey-Calavi
Master's degree - International Law and International Organizations
University of Abomey-Calavi