Senior Human Resource Officer (Employee Relations, Occupational Health and Safety)

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Director HRM&D, the incumbent is responsible for designing, implementing and identifying employee relations strategies which are aligned to the Authority’s strategic needs, to ensure that the objectives are met. Also, the incumbent is required to manage disciplinary processes and grievance processes and create a fair, respectful, diverse and high quality performance culture that enables employees to stay healthy, safe and motivated to contribute their very best to the organization. 

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Participates in the Corporate and Operational Planning activities by assisting with the preparation of the Unit (Industrial Relations) and the Division’s Operational Plan and Budget; 
• Represents the Authority at meetings, conferences, presentations and other formal events, as required; 
• Prepares reports and Industrial Relations documents, as required; 
• Prepares and delivers Industrial Relations related presentations, as needed;
• Provides administrative support in respect of all Industrial Relations matters;
• Keeps staff abreast of Industrial Relations polices and regulations. 

Technical/Professional: 

• Develops, delivers and maintains a business-focused employee relations strategy that meets the needs of staff and the organization; 
• Designs and implements systems and procedures, as required, to deal with employee related issues in the National Fisheries Authority; 
• Creates welfare committee and takes lead responsibility for promoting and engaging staff to be involved in activities from which they will benefit; 
• Engages and works with the Senior Director, Corporate Services, Director HRM&D and other senior personnel to provide support in a range of situations such as recruitment, planning, customer care, managing employees’ absence, performance and quality, to help the Authority grow and develop; 
• Identifies potential impact of workplace stresses and devise ways to mitigate same. 
• Reviews current policies, practices and cultural attitudes to promote mental well-being;
• Investigates and responds to benefits of different working arrangements;
• Organizes resource people and arrange sessions to motivate staff and inform them about health and safety issues; 
• Assists in the conducting of workshops and seminars to inform and teach employees about good practices at the workplace; 
• Develops, drives and oversees employee relations initiatives which will foster and enhance cooperation, unity and fairness within the Authority; 
• Administers the disciplinary and grievance processes for the Authority, in keeping with existing regulations and ensures that resolutions are fair and impartial; 
• Offers information and counselling support to staff; 
• Maintains accurate records and prepares reports for appropriate action;
• Liaises with Director, HRM&D and leads on change management initiatives in the organization; 
• Liaises with Public Sector Employee Assistance Programme and other relevant bodies and makes referrals; 
• Takes supportive/remedial action in respect of staff with challenges; 
• Contributes proactively and with a preventative emphasis to relevant areas of HRMD policies; 
• Develops relevant policies to assist in reaching Divisional goals; 
• Prepares reports using records of actions taken on grievance, arbitration and mediation cases and related labour relations to identify problem areas; 
• Provides guidance and advice as required and requested by managers and staff about the disciplinary processes, procedures and policies; 
• Ensures the effective and efficient administration of benefits inclusive of pension, compensation and leave administration; 
• Manages employee participation in management decisions; 
• Assists in managing social programmes for staff ; 
• 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 leadership skills; 
• Integrity; 
• Good interpersonal skills; 
• Teamwork; 
• Customer and quality focus; 
• Good problem-solving and decision-making skills; 
• Ability to use own initiative. 

Technical: 

• Thorough knowledge of the Staff Orders, The Public Service Regulations and Government rules, regulations and procedures and Labour Laws; 
• Knowledge of the Fisheries Act 2018 and other relevant legislation, policies, guidelines of the National Fisheries Authority; 
• Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, reporting and interpreting data on industrial relations trends within the NFA; 
• The ability to lead others through change and manage their concerns;
• Expert knowledge of Labour Laws and Industrial Relations practices; 
• Excellent knowledge of the Grievance Policy for the Public Sector; 
• Excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of Strategic Human Resources Management, including Recruitment and selection, Classification and Compensation, Benefits administration; 
• Sound knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act (2017); 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• First Degree in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations or similar discipline;
• Professional courses/training in another employee relations field; 
• Three (3) years’ experience in Industrial Relations. 

OR 

• First Degree in Social Sciences plus training in Industrial Relations; 
• Three (3) years’ experience in Industrial Relations.

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• May be required to work beyond regular working hours, weekends and public holidays;
• Spend long hours sitting and using office equipment, computers and attending sessions.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.