Senior Manager Employee Relations at The National Student Financial Aid Scheme

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employee Relations Strategy

• Define and implement employee relations strategy, policies and procedures in support of HR and NSFAS strategy to promote a positive and inclusive work culture
• Provide subject matter expertise and support to NSFAS change management and policy development programs.
• Ensure compliance of the unit with all legislation including LRA, BCEA, Collective Agreements etc.
• Oversee employee relations activities, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures

Relationships management

• Engage and represent NSFAS in all negotiations such as wage, conditions of employment, CCMA and labour court matters.
• Organize and keep records of labour meetings with management.
• Coordinate and facilitate disciplinary hearings and represent NSFAS in all external proceedings accordingly.
• Communicate the contents of all bargaining agreements to management and employees for implementation.
• Conduct a compliance audit on the implementation of the collective agreement.
• Ensure the bargaining agreement is submitted with plans on how to address the challenges if any.
• Ensure all customer queries are responded to within 3 days. If not finalized a follow up email needs to be sent on the progress of the incident

Provide line manager support

• Provide guidance and coaching to HRBP’s, line managers and employees on employee relations matters, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies.
• Communicate union requests for meetings to all employees within a reasonable period.
• Advice line managers in the drafting of charge sheets and notices of disciplinary hearings.
• Proactively identify and mitigate against all employees’ relations risks in the organisation.
• CCMA cases are investigated and ensure that the employer is represented at the CCMA.
• Ensure effective maintenance document and record control of all disciplinary actions.

Employee Relations awareness and training

• Influence line managers and employees to increase understanding of employee relations topics.
• Identify Employee relations training needs and develop training plans to meet these needs.
• Develop effective training material according to these identified needs.
• Ensure that training is conducted for all employees regarding labour matter.

Employee Wellness

• Develop and implement comprehensive employee wellness programmes that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and deliver wellness initiatives, such as fitness programs, stress management workshops, and mental health support services.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of wellness programs through data analysis, employee feedback, and participation rates, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Partner with external service providers and benefit providers to negotiate contracts and ensure the delivery of high-quality wellness services

Research, Benchmarking & Best Practice

• Keep abreast with applicable legislative changes to inform policy updates and implementations.
• Provide advice to the Line managers on dealing with disciplinary cases.
• Submit proposals to the Human Resource Executive on the changes in the legislation and how they affect NSFAS employees.
• Provide a report which identified possible issues that may affect good employee relations and provide a proposal on how to address them.
• Conduct ad hoc requests for labour relations request within 72 hours of requests.
• Stay up to date with employment laws and regulations, and ensure compliance in all employee relations practices

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Prepare and present reports for submission to the NSFAS Executives and Governing committees and other relevant stakeholders. •
• Facilitate and oversee the development and monitoring of policies, standard operating procedures, systems and controls.
• Lead the conceptualising of the unit’s risk register.
• Ensure effective support in the provision of evidence to all internal and external audit requirements.
• Ensure the maintenance and enforcement of all Service Level Agreements to minimise Unit’s risk and ensure business continuity.
• Ensure adherence in the unit to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout the organisation.

Stakeholder Management and relations

• Cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations with relevant institutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with all NSFAS business units for the purposes of expectations management and knowledge sharing.
• Provide advocacy on matters related to Employee Relations and Employee Wellness to empower the NSFAS stakeholders to make informed decisions.

People Management

• Build and lead an effective and cohesive team through the effective management of departmental resources.
• Lead the implementation of talent acquisition, succession planning, development, and retention strategies for the Unit.
• Lead the enhancement of relevant knowledge and skills through continuous coaching, mentoring and nurturing of the Unit’s talent.
• Lead and drive a high-performance culture by translating and communicating the annual performance goals and measures based on agreed upon objectives.
• Drive a working environment that augments employee engagement, recognition and productivity
• Lead and drive the management of poor performance and disciplinary matters in line with the NSFAS’s policies and procedures

Employment Equity

• Assist in ensuring that EE related consultations and implementation initiatives to drive and support attainment of EE Strategy and Targets.
• Keep track of engagements in accordance with EEA and EE Strategy.
• Ensure EE Committee meets on a regular basis
• Perform operational duties to fulfil EEA requirements of reporting, analysis, insights, and

Functional Targets.

• Assist in improving EE processes by undertaking regular reviews and assisting in reviews, administrative systems, and procedures.
• Ensure the accuracy of information by regularly conducting checks and sample audits as appropriate.
• Tracking employee development for EE purposes and workplace profile statistics.
• Tracking employee movements and workplace profile statistics.
• Ensuring reconciliation of data with various systems for accuracy.
• Assist in ensuring compliance Department of Labour and Employment by Reporting, keeping abreast of new developments, advising, and partnering with business and implementing new requirements. 

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum requirements:

• NQF Level 7 qualification in Labour Relations, Human Resources or related field
• At least 8 years’ experience in employee relations with at least 5 years’ experience in a managerial role
• Extensive knowledge and experience dealing with dispute resolutions
• Proven experience in developing and implementing health and wellness programs.
• Knowledge of the South African Labour law

Preferred

• NQF Level 8 qualification in Labour Relations/ Human Resources or related field
• 10 years’ experience in dealing with Labour Relations matters