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Karen Twining

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Karen Twining

Associate Director, Africa

Karen Twining is a highly experienced executive search consultant specialised in senior executive positions across Africa.  She joined Oxford HR in 2008 and has delivered over 100 executive search assignments. Karen led the last search for the USIU-A Vice Chancellor.

Recent appointments include the CEO and Chair of Trade Catalyst Africa, a subsidiary company of TradeMark Africa; Africa Director, Practical Action; Managing Director at EDI Global; Director – East Africa Hub, Development Initiatives; Director of International Programmes, Plan International UK; People Director, Gatsby Africa and over 60 posts for the Gatsby Africa team, including Country Directors, Africa Programme Directors, Operations Director, Communications Director, Social Investment Director and many others.

Born in the Sudan, Karen has lived and worked in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and Sudan. She started her career as a lecturer at Ahfad University College for Women in Sudan and worked in international development across the region. As Africa Regional Coordinator at ActionAid, she led programmes across 18 African countries and as CEO of IDE UK, she worked with market development programmes in Africa and Asia. She is committed to increasing diversity in leadership in Africa.

A graduate of Oxford University, Karen has a MA(Hons) and was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.  She has also held various NED positions, including as a current Board Member of Elrha, a global charity that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation.

”Connecting inspirational leaders with meaningful work is our contribution to making the world a better place. After 12 years at Oxford HR, I love being part of a value-driven, innovative and collaborative global team and interacting with so many impressive and stimulating candidates and clients. It's particularly satisfying to support leaders from diverse backgrounds to thrive and make an impact.

View Karen's current roles

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Posted 2 years ago

Status: Open

We are fully committed to our work on gender and diversity, so if you’re from an under-represented group we are particularly keen to hear from you.

Job Features

Job CategoryAC, Adrina, Alanna, Alisha, Amanda, Ana, Angeline, Anna, Arlene, Arni, Bob, Christel, Dara, Data, Dom, Education, Ely, Environment, Erica, Erik, Estefania, Evelyne, George, Health, Helen, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Hye, Ingrid, James, James S, Janet, Jean-Baptiste, Jennifer, Josje, Judy, Karen, Karna, Kaushalya, Lewis, Lisanne, Livelihoods & Agriculture, Maria G, Mark W, Martine, Mayank, Mia, Michael, Michelle, Nada, Nafeesa, Nataša, Neil, Nick, Nick S, Nicola, Noha, Ottilia, OxHR Jobs, Peter, Philip, Prisca, Rachel, Razane, Robert, Rod, Rosa, Rose, Sobhi, Stephen, Suzie Li, Tamsin, Team, Thibaut, Toby, Trade, Yolanda, Zoe

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Karen’s recent placements include:

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Trade Catalyst AfricaBoard Chair

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Practical ActionAfrica Director

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EDI GlobalManaging Director

”I am aware of Oxford HR but it's the first time I have used them for a search. We used their Nairobi offices for a very senior role based in East Africa. Their approach from the outset was impeccable. Each stage worked seamlessly, their applicant pack was very well presented and written, their candidate portal is excellent and their support available at any point. We successfully recruited having virtually managed this from our London HQ. I would highly recommend their services.

Julia PorterInternational Head of HR, Brooke

”I want to thank you for your email as it is very useful feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time to write to me with more details as I know it is not necessarily a common standard. I have huge appreciation to you and your team for the management of this process – it makes it pleasant and meaningful, irrespective of the outcome.

Candidate

”I had great support from the Oxford HR team. They were available to answer any questions I had and to update me on the processes every step of the way.

Oulie KeitaExecutive Director, YouthConnekt Africa

”Oxford HR managed the process extremely professionally helping us to source great candidates, whilst taking all the weight off us through the process. Importantly they helped to filter and ensure the fit was right and that candidates were well briefed and genuinely interested and suited to us.

Justin HighsteadExecutive Director, Gatsby Africa

”The team at Oxford HR were great. They were flexible in how we worked together to meet our needs and lived up to their commitments.

Elizabeth Williams BassiOperations Director, Sabre Education