Job Purpose
Under the direction of the Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Development, the Director, Industrial Relations, is responsible for managing the Industrial Relations functions, by:
- Developing policies and policy guidelines and ensuring that they are adhered to;
- Undertaking research and keeping abreast of trends and development in the field;
- Ensuring that the development of strategies and programmes are designed to maintain good labour;
- Maintaining harmonious relations among management, staff and Trade Unions/Staff Association;
- Providing leadership by participating as a member of the negotiating team dealing with collective bargaining and other Industrial Relations matters; and
- Acting as the Ministry’s Chief Advisor on Industrial Relations matters.
Key Responsibilities
Management/Administrative:
- Exercises responsibility for the development of Policy and Policy Guidelines;
- Represents the Ministry at meetings, seminars and conferences, on Industrial Relations and related matters;
- Writes a variety of reports, papers and briefs and submits to the Permanent Secretary or presents at meetings, seminars and workshops;
- Participates in meeting with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s Industrial Relations Unit, Statutory Bodies and Agencies in Union negotiations, on behalf of staff members;
- Provides leadership to and participates as a member of the negotiating team dealing with collective bargaining and other Industrial Relations matters;
- Acts as the Ministry’s Chief Advisor on Industrial Relations matters;
- Provides counselling to members of staff on Human Resource and Industrial Relations issues;
- Provides technical advice/guidance on Industrial Relation matters to Directors, Managers, Heads of Division/Department, Agencies and Statutory Bodies;
- Reviews and makes recommendations to the Permanent Secretary, through Senior Director, HRM&D, on Claim Submissions and all matters relating to discipline of employees;
- Ensures the design, development and management of strategies and programmes to maintain harmonious labour relations between management, staff and Trade Unions/Staff Associations;
- Represents the Ministry at Boards of Enquiry and meetings of Wages, Salaries and Fringe Benefits;
- Collaborates in the review and justification of alternative Industrial Relations strategies to be adopted, often at short notice; participates in establishing norms and developing accurate indicators for measuring effectiveness;
- Monitors and manages the Ministry’s Aftercare programme.
Technical/Professional:
- Co-ordinates disciplinary proceedings and sees to the implementation of recommendations and findings;
- Investigates causes of disputes and circumstances relating to work stoppages and other forms of labour unrest and devise, recommend and implement appropriate corrective action;
- Undertakes background work and research on Industrial Relations issues and when approved, sees to their adherence;
- Communicates all relevant information acquired to the Ministry, in order to influence planning and decision making;
- Interprets information for the benefit of line managers and offers consultations to the Ministry’s officials, the public and employees, as requested;
- Co-ordinates and monitors Staff Welfare Programmes;
- Conducts interviews with employees who are involved in disputes and those with grievances;
- Investigates complaints regarding salary, working conditions, etc.;
- Interprets Governments policy on Industrial Relations, discipline, leave, pensions and post reclassification;
- Prepares and issues warning letters;
- Ensures acceptance and implementation of the Staff Orders and Government Regulations which are designed to facilitate mutual responsibility and respect;
- Liaises with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, on matters relating to salary, allowances, negotiations and Government Industrial Relations Policies;
- Ensures that members of staff of the Ministry and relevant Agencies/Bodies are aware of and adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations of Government and the Ministry;
- Provides guidance to members of staff through counseling or refers them to Cabinet Office’s Employee Assistance Programme;
- Provides leadership to staff through maintaining staff morale;
- Prepares reports and Minutes for submissions to the Office of the Services Commissions, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and Disciplinary Committee Members;
- Participates as a member of the Disciplinary Committee and prepares submission on all cases for the procedures to Office of the Services Commissions;
- Costs all Claims and prepares Budget for Claims submitted by relevant Bodies and submits to Ministry of Finance and the Public Service;
- Prepares Budget for termination and abolition of post exercise, for submission to Ministry of Finance and the Public Service;
- Negotiates salaries and fringe benefits for employees of the Ministry and relevant Bodies affiliated with the Ministry;
- Monitors and submits report on the performance of officers against whom disciplinary action was instituted;
- Investigates and makes recommendations on matters relating to disputes, grievances, legal and medical matters;
- Verifies, computes and submits Claims for Uniform and Tailoring Allowances for the relevant officers;
- Liaises with Human Resource Managers and Heads of Department/Agencies/Statutory Agencies, to obtain information and clarifications and to provide advice and recommendations;
- Functions as a Team Member in developments in Industrial/Labour Relations field by:
- maintaining a network with other organizations through Industrial Relations/Human Resource Specialists and Line Managers;
- Attending the relevant seminars.
Human Resource:
- Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organizational goals;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/unit and recommends transfer, promotions, termination and leave in accordance with the established human resource policies and procedures;
- Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching;
- Ensures that the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Division/Unit are clearly identified and addressed;
- Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and Organization’s goals;
- Attends meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, for the grant of Work Permit approvals;
- Performs other related duties as instructed by the Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Development.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Core:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Methodical
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good customer and quality focus skills
- Managing the client interface
- Excellent leadership skills
- Good analytical and decision-making, planning and organizing skills
Technical:
- Excellent knowledge of the Grievance Process
- Excellent knowledge of Industrial Relations Policies
- Excellent knowledge of the Jamaican Labour Laws
- Excellent negotiating skills
- Good problem solving and conflict management skills
- Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or Human Resource Management;
- Successful completion of recognized training in Industrial Relations;
- Three (3) years’ working experience in the field of Industrial Relations.
Specific Conditions Associated with the Job
- Exposure to highly confidential and sensitive information;
- Expected to demonstrate high level of integrity and professionalism;
- Critical deadlines to be met;
- Islandwide travelling;
- Exposure to aggressive behaviour.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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