Manager, Employee Relations and Occupational Health and Safety (GMG/SEG 2)

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Human Resource Management and Development, the Manager, Employee Relations and Occupational Health and Safety, has the responsibility for managing all areas of employee relations, to include Leave and Pension Administration, staff benefits, occupational health and wellness, discipline and industrial relations. The incumbent is also responsible for designing and implementing social and welfare programmes, to facilitate a harmonious working environment. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Implements designated programmes related to staff welfare issues, e.g. canteen, sports, transportation, First Aid, Rest Room/facilities and community involvement;
• Ensures the registration of new employees on Health Insurance Plan; 
• Liaises with representatives of the Health Insurance Company, on behalf of staff;
• Ensures that arrangements for medical examinations of permanently appointed staff members are made; 
• Ensures that arrangements for medical board examinations for staff on extended sick leave are made; 
• Promotes and facilitates staff recreational/social activities; 
• Manages the process of recognizing employees who are eligible for long service awards and recognition awards; 
• Develops and implements the Department’s Wellness Programme, as specified, to promote and encourage work/life balance; 
• Organizes/Participates in the delivery of the Department’s Counselling Programme in conjunction with the Public Sector Employee Assistance Programme (PSEAP), to aid the development of staff; 
• Assists in the employment of counselling methods in the treatment of clients;
• Maintains professional contacts with care institutions and other providers, to facilitate the provision of referral services, as required; 
• Maintains contact with members of staff who are ill and family members of deceased employees, where necessary, advising of benefits available; 
• Participates in conferences, training sessions and meetings relating to areas of assigned responsibility; 
• Prepares progress notes, summaries and other reports, as required. 
• Interprets and implements Government’s policies related to staff benefits;
• Liaises with the Legal Services Division regarding disciplinary, grievance and other industrial relations issues. Ensures that systems are in place to provide employees with information about benefits for which they are eligible; 
• Advises staff on policies and Human Resource activities under the delegation of functions;
• Advises individual members of staff of all benefits for which he/she is eligible, in keeping with conditions of service policy in force, from time to time; 
• Advises all Heads of Section on matters affecting staff welfare and wellness;
• Manages the administration and computations of leave entitlement, and ensures the timely and accurate processing of study leave; 
• Develops and monitors the implementation of welfare and social programmes;
• Liaises with National Health Fund/CHASE and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, to address the staff welfare needs; 
• Liaises with Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to access employee benefits;
• Leads in the planning of social events, such as Sporting events, Retirement functions, etc.; 
• Participates in the planning and conducting of Orientation and Sensitization Sessions, on the Department’s policies and procedures; 
• Prepares and submits reports; 
• Monitors the implementation of labour relations strategies, to ensure organizational compliance with relevant legislation, industrial instruments, organisation and Government policy; 
• Conducts research on labour relations matters, to ensure the continued update of policies, in keeping with Government and international standards; 
• Mediates and resolves conflicts within the workplace; 
• Assists with vetting; approves charges drafted, and directs the arrangement of disciplinary hearings; 
• Guides deliberations at the Disciplinary Committee and with staff/Union representatives, to ensure completion of disciplinary/grievance cases; 
• Researches and investigates concerns by managers, employees and Unions; determines strategies to address potential/alleged breaches of industrial policies or statutory entitlements; 
• Oversees the investigation of and reports accidents or incidents to the relevant persons;
• Oversees the monitoring of employees’ attendance and absenteeism and takes necessary action; 
• Collaborates with Office Administration in the provision of suitable office accommodation;
• Communicates frequently with management, to report on the status of occupational health and wellness programmes. 

Management/Human Resource: 

• Participates in the development of Corporate and Operational Plans and Budget;
• Plans activities of the staff, and ensures that employees are given adequate instructions and guidance; 
• Oversees the preparation of the Work Plans; 
• Manages the performance of the Unit, with particular emphasis on transferring skills, motivating staff, setting performance targets, monitoring performance, providing feedback to staff and arranging for training; 
• Evaluates performance against targets and standards; 
• Ensures that the Unit has adequate and appropriate physical resources to enable the staff to perform their assigned duties, in an efficient and effective manner; 
• Provides accurate and timely information of indebtedness and leave eligibility for officers who have separated from the Department; 
• Manages the retirement processing, and ensures that all relevant documents are submitted to the appropriate entities, for processing; 
• Facilitates the provision of counselling on retirement options and eligibility requirement for individual employees; 
• Performs any other related duties assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

• Sound knowledge of Human Resource processes and procedures 
• Working knowledge of counselling theories and techniques, such as behaviour modification, individual or group therapy 
• Knowledge of Industrial Relation practices 
• Sound knowledge of computer applications 
• Knowledge of Personnel Management and Administration in Government
• Excellent planning and organizing skills 
• Excellent problem solving and analysis skills 
• Sound integrity/ethics 
• Ability to work in a team 
• Initiative 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Excellent negotiating and persuading skills 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management or Management Studies or equivalent qualifications. 
• Five (5) years’ experience in Human Resource Management 
• Training in Industrial Relations and Occupational Safety 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.