Job Purpose
Under the general direction of the Director, Human Resource Management and Development, the Director, Employee Relations, Occupational Health and Safety is responsible for developing and implementing employee relations, occupational health and safety policies and welfare strategies, which are designed to motivate staff to meet the Ministry’s strategic needs. The Director is also responsible for the management of discipline and grievance and is required to foster and promote a harmonious industrial relations climate, while enabling employees to be productive, healthy and safe.
Key Responsibilities
Management/Administration:
- Participates in the preparation and monitoring of the Division’s Operational Plan and Budget, ensuring that the work of the Division is carried out according to agreed plans and targets;
- Participates in the development/review and implementation of Human Resource Policies/Plans;
- Develops an Employee Welfare Plan and Budget for the Ministry;
- Advises, guides and interprets on and of Government policies and guidelines available to the Ministry and its Agencies;
- Leads and directs the operations and staff of the Employee Relations and Welfare Section, developing appropriate work programmes/projects/meeting to achieve the objectives of the HRMD Division;
- Provides support for all Human Resource policies and programmes within the Ministry by participating in formal and informal training programmes, particularly for delegated functions;
- Prepares and submits reports, position papers and other documents, as required;
- Attends meetings and represents the Division/Ministry at conferences, seminars and other fora as required.
Technical/Professional:
- Provides advice to the Permanent Secretary and other Senior Directors through the Director, Human Resource Management and Development, on industrial relations, benefits, pensions and staff welfare issues; and provides direction in the revision of employee welfare programmes;
- Develops and co-ordinates the implementation of the disciplinary policy;
- Administers and monitors compliance of the disciplinary policy;
- Co-ordinates the establishment of a Disciplinary Committee;
- Develops and co-ordinates the implementation of the Code of Conduct/Dress Code; administers and monitors compliance of the Code of Conduct/Dress Code;
- Manages the grievance and disciplinary processes of the Ministry, ensuring consistency and fairness; facilitates the effective management of conflict by promoting the balancing of diverse interests and abilities of employees with the needs and goals of the organization;
- Develops Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing policies for the Ministry and promotes positive attitudes towards employee health, safety and wellbeing at work;
- Recommends strategies which will promote a healthy and proactive employee relations climate;
- Develops and maintains an employee relations strategy that will foster and enhance co-operation, unity and fairness within the Ministry;
- Designs and implements systems and procedures, as required, to deal with employee related issues;
- Co-ordinates the establishment of a Welfare Committee and monitors all staff welfare programmes.
- Identifies factors that may affect staff wellbeing and productivity and devises ways to mitigate same;
- Reviews current policies, practices and cultural attitudes to promote a harmonious working environment;
- Provides guidance and advice, as required by managers and staff, about the disciplinary processes, procedures and policies;
- Manages the maintenance of Period of Service Records;
- Manages the pension administration processes and the maintenance of the Public Employees’ Pension Administration System (PEPAS);
- Prepares submissions to the Human Resource Executive Committee (HREC);
- Develops and implements a programme for staff separated or likely to be separated as a result of retirement and the Government of Jamaica (GoJ) modernisation programme;
- Investigates matters affecting staff and makes recommendations in relation to the following:
- Employee Relation
- Health and Safety
- Welfare and Wellbeing
- Co-ordinates, in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Unit, sensitization sessions to inform staff about health and good practices at the workplace;
- Offers information and provides counselling support to staff;
- Liaises with the Public Sector Employee Assistance Programme and other relevant bodies and makes referrals;
- Keeps abreast of current and emerging employee relations trends and best practices and utilizes them for continuous improvement of the overall human capital development within the Ministry.
Human Resource Management:
- Develops and manages the performance of staff, including transferring skills, motivating staff through coaching and mentoring, arranging for training, setting performance targets, monitoring performance, providing feedback to staff and initiating corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance;
- Promotes the building of institutional knowledge for the Division by ensuring that established systems and procedures are documented and disseminated;
- Participates in the recruitment and selection of staff and recommends movement, when appropriate;
- Recommends Vacation Leave and approves Sick and Departmental Leave for staff in the Branch, and participates in the administration of staff benefits in keeping with established human resource policies;
- Recommends/administers disciplinary action in keeping with established human resource policies;
- Conducts monthly and other ad hoc staff meetings, as required;
- Ensures staff adheres to the policies and procedures of the Ministry and the Division;
- Ensures that staff is provided with adequate and appropriate physical resources to enable them to undertake their duties effectively and efficiently;
- Collaborates with the Human Resource Management and Development Division in developing and implementing a Succession Planning Programme to ensure continuity of skills and competencies in the Division and personal development and career advancement of employees;
- Fosters teamwork, a harmonious working environment and promotes collaborative working relations;
- Conducts performance appraisals of staff supervised for required purposes and at required intervals;
- Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
Core:
- Good oral and written communication skills;
- Good problem-solving and decision-making skills;
- Good analytical skills;
- Teamwork and co-operation;
- Ability to use own initiative;
- Good planning and organizing skills;
- Integrity;
- Good interpersonal skills.
Technical:
- Excellent knowledge of the Labour Laws of Jamaica, the Public Service Regulations, Staff Orders for the Public Service, Delegations of Functions and other Government of Jamaica policies and procedures;
- Good mediation/negotiations/conflict resolution skills;
- Good customer and quality focus;
- Proficiency in use the of Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant computer applications and systems.
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- Undergraduate Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Management Studies or its equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution;
- Training in Industrial Relations and Conflict Management;
- Training in Occupational Health and Wellbeing;
- Training in Events Management/Planning;
- Training in Supervisory Management/Human Resource Management;
- Five (5) years’ experience in Human Resource Management, preferably within the Public Sector.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
