SPECIALIST - EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Agricultural Research Council; Alberton; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent research institution in South Africa is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist. You will advise management on planning and engagement processes, monitor employee relations KPIs, ensure compliance with legal standards, and coordinate committee operations. Strong negotiation skills, legal knowledge, and the ability to manage complex employee relations cases are essential. This role requires travel nationwide for CCMA matters.

Responsibilities

• Support management with specialist ER advice regarding planning and decision-making.
• Monitor employee relations KPIs and compile monthly reports.
• Ensure legal compliance and corrective measures.
• Advise on industrial action policies and conduct audits.
• Coordinate Labour Management Consultative Committee operations.
• Provide expert advice in complex employee relations cases.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Support management in the participative structures by providing specialist ER advice to the HR forum management caucuses regarding planning for the engagement process and on decision making risk and strategy.
• Monitor employee relations key performance indicators and ensuring compliance by compiling a divisional monthly report with critical data, conduct audits to ensure standardised.
• Ensure legal conformance, identifying deviations and devising corrective measures.
• Advising all parties on the content and application of ARC’s industrial action policies and stance.
• Conducting regular audits within the division to ensure that the strike management and contingency plans are correctly implemented and up to date. Act as an integral member of the negotiation team, assist in preparing negotiation strategies and prepare and review drafts of collective agreement language.
• Ensure that negotiations are properly documented.
• Educate management on negotiated contract changes and assist with implementation where required.
• Coordinate the operations of the Labour Management Consultative Committee, including preparation of the agenda on behalf of management and documentation of discussions.
• Actively contribute to the establishment of a positive relationship with organised labour.
• In complex cases, provide expert advice to the Corporate ER Manager and Wellness, and assist with the interpretation of the collective agreement and application of relevant jurisprudence.
• Manage, with the support of the Corporate ER Manager, termination cases and complex employee relations cases by supporting the HR Business Solutions team and managers in building the case, determining corrective measures, supporting management in delivering the decision to the employee and liaising with union representatives.
• Manage the preparation of cases for negotiation of agreement, mediation or arbitration and ensure settlements or CCMA orders are followed / implemented correctly.
• Travel nationwide to physically attend CCMA matters.