Department of Human Resources - Senior Manager HR Legal at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

THE INCUMBENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO:

• Provide input into the development of relevant strategic solutions for the effective management of Employee Relations and Wellness in the workplace.;
• Provide input into the development of the annual departmental implementation plan and calendar;
• Ensure the division achieves its targets as indicated in the HR strategic and business plan relevant to the division;
• Provide progress reports and analysis of the division's performance to the line manager as required;
• Ensure compliance to legislation, regulations and national policy directives applicable to the Human Resources function;
• Assist the line manager to operationalize the HR Strategic Plan in the division;
• Ensure all in the section are fully informed of the Divisional targets;
• Provide input in designing, developing and implementing divisional policies, guidelines and procedures;
• Communicate, interpret and implement UP HR, Divisional and other relevant policy decisions in the section;
• Provide leadership in the section by modelling a high-performance culture and enhancing the HR Department and division’s professional image;
• Identify developmental needs of direct reports, and initiate development of such interventions;
• Ensure proper support to line management throughout the dispute resolution processes by advising and proposing resolution strategies;
• Represent the University on complex and high calibre cases at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Bargaining Councils, Mediations, grievances, disciplinary and incapacity hearings;
• Ensure that the University Management is provided with sound internal or external legal advice on all labour matters;
• Ensure that all corporate labour activities are in line with applicable laws;
• Develop, review and advise on institutional ER policies from a labour law perspective;
• Provide legal support to collective bargaining and engagement structure by providing sound legal advice pertaining to relevant issues.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Honours degree in Labour Law, Labour Relations, LLB or relevant field
• A total of 6 years (of which 2 years in management) of:
• Employment relations experience in a unionised environment;
• Specialist experience in labour law if currently a practising attorney, Advocate or Labour Consultant;
• Experience representing management at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) either as a representative or Commissioner.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• LLM, MBA or any relevant Master’s degree;
• A total of 3 years higher education experience;
• Registration with a recognized professional body including Law Society or Advocate Chambers (desirable).

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Auditing process;
• Case management;
• Departmental decision-making processes;
• Disciplinary process and procedure;
• Document management;
• Knowledge of business excellence trends;
• Knowledge of labour legislation;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and Higher Education Policy;
• Labour union processes and procedures;
• Training and development;
• SLA management and measurement.