Government jobs in South Africa

Job title : Senior Manager : Collective Bargaining and Labour Relations

Job Location : Gauteng, Pretoria | Deadline : May 22, 2025

THE CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Sound understanding of policy and legislative frameworks in the area of responsibility
• Expert knowledge of employment relations processes and related procedures
• Expert understanding of conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, etc.
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills
• High self-management, proactiveness, and emotional maturity
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective business communication and writing skills (opinions, positions, feedback, presentations)
• High integrity and ethics
• Alignment with SALGA's core values, mission, and vision, demonstrating commitment beyond just the job

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Postgraduate qualification in Labour Relations, Labour Law, or related fields (Master’s Degree preferred)
• Admission of Attorney / Advocate advantageous
• Minimum 10 years relevant experience, with at least 5 years at an equivalent level in a medium to large organization involved in collective bargaining and negotiations
• Knowledge of sector-specific policies, legislative, and regulatory frameworks, especially those applicable to Local Government and SALGA
• Understanding of the Local Government Sector
• Politically astute with a track record in lobbying and advocacy

KEY PORTFOLIO AND PERFORMANCE FOCUS AREAS

• Represent the interests of the Local Government Sector, including municipalities at the South African Local Government Bargaining Council, providing advice and guidance to SALGA representatives, and representing municipalities in court, conciliation, arbitration, disciplinary hearings, and incapacity investigations.
• Provide high-quality advice on legislative and regulatory frameworks affecting local government, process mandates from municipalities, and participate in SALGBC meetings bi-monthly.
• Develop content on complex issues for SALGA advocacy, manage relationships with governance structures, and represent SALGA at national bargaining structures and dispute resolution forums.
• Serve as Prosecutor / Presiding Officer at municipal disciplinary hearings, understanding governance and bargaining structures.

Support, Advice, and Capacity Building of Municipalities :

• Provide guidance and support on collective bargaining, labour relations, strike handling, and related matters. Support HR structures and SALGA representatives, preside over disciplinary hearings, advise on litigation, and facilitate capacity-building programs.

Stakeholder Management and Sponsorships :

• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including civil society, locally and internationally, and build networks to enhance SALGA’s impact. Create reports for communication and updates.

Business and Programme Planning :

• Coordinate business planning, develop targets and timelines, and oversee reporting. Identify innovative projects aligned with strategic goals.

Monitoring and Evaluation :

• Implement monitoring systems to assess policy and program implementation, conduct impact assessments, and review municipal compliance and performance.

Financial and Expense Monitoring :

• Assist in budget preparation, expenditure monitoring, and revenue sourcing. Ensure procurement compliance, track sponsorships, and promote cost-saving measures.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management :

• Uphold governance principles, ensure policy compliance, and support risk mitigation. Develop risk registers and mitigation strategies.

Multidisciplinary Teamwork :

• Collaborate across disciplines to solve municipal challenges, support organizational priorities, and foster high-performance culture through leadership and performance management.