Director, Employee Relations Occupational Health & Safety (GMG/SEG 3)

JOB PURPOSE

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Development, the Director, Employee Relations  will be responsible for interpreting providing technical advice and guidance and administering government policies, regulations and guidelines concerned with Industrial and Employee Relations matters for the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The incumbent will also be responsible for managing the administration of employee benefits and welfare and for providing support to line managers, assisting them in executing employee relations matters.           

KEY OUTPUT

• Grievance and Industrial disputes managed;
• Disputes investigated;
• Labour negotiations managed;
• Negotiations costing reviewed;
• Meetings with Trade Unions and /or Staff Associations arranged;
• Employee social and recreational programmes developed and promoted;
• Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing education programmes developed and promoted;
• Technical advice, guidance and interpretation on and of government policies and guidelines provided

Key responsibility areas

Management/ Administrative Responsibilities

• Participates in the development of the Corporate and Operational Plans for the Corporate Services Division; 
• Develops, reviews and implements strategic plans/programmes to promote a healthy industrial relations environment;
• Leads in drafting of an Employee Welfare Plan;
• Contributes to the development of the Human Resource function by developing progressive industrial relations policies that meet the current and future needs of the Ministry;
•  Prepares and manages the budget for the Employee  Relations Unit;
• Functions as the Ministry’s chief advisor on Industrial Relations matters;
• Ensures that the work of the Unit is properly documented;
• Represents the Ministry at local meetings, conferences and other functions as required.

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Participates with the Ministry of Finance & the Public Service in negotiations and consultations with Trade Unions/Staff Associations on behalf of the Ministry and Regional Health Authorities (RHA’s) with a view to achieving positives outcomes and broad agreements to proposals which support the Ministry’s goals and objectives;
• Develops and implements mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the observance of Heads of Agreements and initiates corrective action as required;
• Investigates the causes of disputes and circumstances relating to work stoppages and other forms of labour unrest and devises, recommends and implements appropriate corrective actions to ensure timely resolutions;
• Works proactively  to address employee relations issues and to prevent their escalation into grievances and/or disputes through strategic management interaction; 
• Reviews the preparation of costing of all claims in respect of fringe benefits received from Trade Unions and Staff Associations;
• Advises the Permanent Secretary, through the Director, Human Resource Management & Development and the Director, Corporate Services on all matters relating to discipline of employees of the Ministry of Health & Wellness;
• Provides secretariat services for the Disciplinary Committee and provides advise as the needs arise to  ensure that procedures are consistent with the Public Service Regulations;
• Ensures that preparatory arrangements are made for the convening of Boards of Enquiry.
• Provides technical advice to staff at the Ministry’s Head Office and Regional Health Authorities on industrial relations, benefits, pensions, staff welfare and suggest directions in the revision of employee welfare programmes;
• Ensures the timely processing of pensions benefits; provides support to employees to be retired and those who have retired as necessary;
• Develops Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing programme for the Ministry and promotes positive attitudes towards employee health, safety and wellbeing at work
• Reviews and recommends amendments to existing employee relations policies and strategies, ensuring policy alignment with the Ministry’s strategic objectives and best practices;
• Oversees the design of health and safety educational and training programmes for employees in the Ministry; collaborates with the Director, Human Resource Planning and Development (HRPD)  and other HRM&D staff in the conduct of and evaluation of health, safety and welfare programmes;

HR Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective objective/goal setting, delegation, and communication;
• Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, conduct performance  appraisals and recommends  and/or initiates corrective action as necessary to improve performance and attain organisational goals;
• Ensures the development and welfare needs of staff supervised are identified and addressed;
• Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of team work, employee empowerment and commitment to the Branch’s and Ministry’s goals;
• Provides  staff with sufficient and appropriate physical resources to enable them to undertake their duties efficiently and effectively;

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management/Social Sciences or a related field;
• Training in Industrial Relations and Conflict Management;
• Training in Occupational Health and Wellbeing
• Minimum of four (4) years working experience in a Human Resource Management capacity, two (2) of which should be at a managerial level;
• Any other equivalent  combination of qualification and experience;

The Ministry of Health & Wellness thanks all applicants for their interest; however, please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.