Employee Relations Officer (GMG/SEG 1)

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Employee Relations, Health, Safety & Wellbeing, the Employee Relations Officer will be responsible for managing employee and industrial relations practices within the Ministry and address or avert issue of concern as it relates to working conditions, contracts of employment, workplace agreements, absence management, dispute resolutions, as well as managing employees participation in management decisions regarding conflict and grievance resolution. 

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Develops and implements strategies for the prevention and resolution of disputes and grievances in order to ensure organizational compliance with relevant legislation, industrial instruments, the Ministry and other GOJ policies; 
• Interprets policies for supervisors and employees; 
• Meets with union representatives and staff regularly to resolve concerns, problems, and grievances. Provides innovative ways to address and solve industrial disputes; 
• Provides consultation for supervisors and managers on disciplinary actions involving bargaining unit employees to ensure consistent and fair application of the principles of due process and just cause, as well as collective bargaining agreements and Agency policy; 
• Co-ordinates responses to employee grievances; prepares for and assists in presenting arbitration and contested cases; 
• Acts as liaison with internal stakeholders, monitors organizational change processes and ensures appropriate communication and consultation with employees and their representative unions/associations, to mitigate the risk of industrial disruption and ensure that organization priorities are met. Assists with outplacement and job search options where possible; 
• Liaises with Legal Officer and Disciplinary Committees on all cases; 
• Researches and investigates concerns by managers, employees and unions/associations relating to employee issues, and formulates plans to address potential breaches of industrial instruments or statutory entitlements to enhance industrial peace. 

Technical/Professional: 

• Arranges Disciplinary hearings. 
• Co-ordinates with Public Sector Employee Assistance Programme (PSEAP) and other providers to conduct counselling sessions with employees individually, as necessary; 
• Conducts research on Labour Relations matters to ensure the continued update of policies, in keeping with government and international standards; 
• Liaises with internal stakeholders to assist in managing the human resources during any restructuring within the organization; 
• Organizes the investigation of accidents and unsafe working conditions, studies possible causes and recommends remedial action; 
• Provides employee relations support to Departments/Agencies for which the Ministries have oversight, as required; 
• Provides monthly and /or ad hoc reports as required; 
• Maintains confidential files for employee relations matters. 

Other 

• Participates in the development/review of Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual; 
• Performs other related functions assigned from time to time. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Good oral and written communication skills 
• Customer and quality focus 
• Team work and co-operation 
• Integrity 
• Compliance 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Change management 

Technical: 

• Excellent knowledge of Jamaica Industrial Relations system with a knowledge of current workplace legislation and policy 
• Excellent knowledge in modern occupational health and safety and environmental policies and practices 
• Excellent judgement and analytical skills 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills 
• Knowledge of Human Resource processes and procedures 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• First Degree in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations or similar discipline; Specialized Training in Industrial Relations 
• At least three (3) years’ experience in Industrial Relations

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.