Employee Relations Consultant at University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland

Reporting to the Manager: Employee Relations, you will be required to provide an effective employee relations service to the University by applying accepted ER / IR best practices which are consistent with employment and all other legislative requirements.

We seek an Employee Relations/Industrial Relations Specialist equipped with the following qualifications and attributes:

• A Degree in Human Resources Management, Labour Law or Employee / Industrial Relations
• At least 3 years’ experience in dealing with complex employee relations and / or employment law matters, preferably within a unionised environment; a proven track record of implementing sound employee relations practices in dealing with labour law matters
• Good knowledge of IR and Labour Law principles, remuneration, performance and employee wellness management  
• Good persuasion skills, conflict-handling and mediation skills  
• multitasking skills, as well as the ability to work in rapidly changing and pressurised circumstances; excellent verbal and written communication skills  
• the ability to deliver objectives within legislative and policy parameters  
• the ability to work within a team environment, with a stable and calm disposition, the ability to coach, advise and mentor staff on employee relations matters.

Duties will include inter alia:

• Delivery of an efficient and effective employee relations service to the University in accordance with best practice ER principles
• providing specialist ER / legal writing to ensure high standards for ER Documents; manage allocated ER cases (in totality as per processes), including internal hearing formalities, CCMA cases, facilitating matters with external service providers etc.  
• training, coaching and assisting HR staff and line managers on ER matters; monitor policies and/or practices (Old and New) for legal implications  providing analysis of data for suggested improvements; research labour relations trends, awards and national labour relations issues, provide reports / alert pro-actively on pending legislative changes
• building and managing relationships with all internal and external stakeholders
• participate, service and advise on collective bargaining processes; assisting with employee wellness initiatives
• general duties include providing input into ER Strategy, drafting reports on matters, general communication, quality check of official documents, etc.