Senior Manager Employee Relations and Governance

The purpose of this role is to lead and manage Employee Relations in the AGSA. To develop, drive and monitor strategic employment equity programmes, projects and initiatives for AGSA through the provision of advice to all business units regarding the employment equity strategy and associated legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.Roles & ResponsibilitiesManagement of Employee Relations and Employment Equity• Scan the environment and identify relevant trends and developments;• Undertake regular research into new developments in the employment relations field;• Proactively assess and analyse the potential impact of new developments in ER within AGSA, and in collaboration with the management, develop and recommend appropriate responses;• Establish and maintain contact with external ER related organisations and professional bodies• Participate in the organisation’s and People Portfolio strategic planning process;• Review or where appropriate develop appropriate ER policies and procedures;• Perform diligently on all duties assigned by the Business Executive: People Operations.Provide strategic advisory service, on all employee relations and employment equity related policies, agreements, strategies, procedures and legislation• Provide strategic and operational oversight of the Employee Relations strategy for AGSA;• Provide expert and specialist advice to management on HR and ER legal and regulatory compliance including inter alia the LRA, BCEA, Employment Equity, AGSA and applicable conditions of services and the organization’s HR and ER policies and procedures;• Advise senior management on complex Employee Relations matters and on the appropriate approach to effectively dealing with instances of labour unrest;• Establish and maintain sound relations within AGSA;• Comply, maintain, review and recommend ER Policies and processes;• Communicate and guide employees on relevant ER policies and procedures;• Advise on disability and absenteeism management;• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Act, COIDA and other relevant Acts;• Participate in various projects as identified in the People Strategy;• Ensure that all Human Capital Business Partners are well equipped to advise line management appropriately on ER matters.Provide a professional dispute resolution• Ensure that the AGSA is always well represented at relevant forums, e.g. CCMA, Labour Court;• Represent the organisation in dispute resolution processes including mediation, arbitration and negotiation;• Undertake legal analysis and risk evaluation of potential disputes and disputes that are declared to determine the appropriate management strategy:a. Conciliation / mediation / settlements o Determining management strategies and options during conciliation and mediation proceedings;o Assisting or representing management in statutory conciliation/mediation/ advisory arbitration proceedings;o Assisting the Corporate Legal Services with applying for court orders in the event of non-compliance with settlement agreements by other parties;o Assisting the Corporate Legal Services Team in opposing applications for court orders in the event of AGSA’s not complying with settlement agreements due to interpretation or other reasons.b. Arbitration and pre-dismissal arbitration o Evaluate disputes and disciplinary cases to determine, in consultation with the Corporate Legal Services, to whom the dispute or pre-dismissal arbitration should be assigned to present management’s case;o Assist in the preparation of AGSA’s case, heads of argument and pleadings;o Represent AGSA or actively oversee and advise legal counsel during statutory and non-statutory arbitration or pre-dismissal arbitration proceedings;o Analyse, evaluate and implement arbitration and pre-dismissal arbitration awards to determine possible grounds for rescission or review.Provide training and development to HCBPs and management of AGSA• Analyse internal and external environmental trends and developments, determining related training needs;• Liaise with the POE’s Learning and Development centre in developing and implementing appropriate training strategies on ER based on the outcome of the needs analysis• Ensure continuous training of line managers on policies, procedures and relevant legislation;• Provide training to line on ER procedures including how to manage grievances and misconduct, dispute resolution, chairing of disciplinary processes and giving evidence at CCMA• Provide training on ER Policies and Procedures for HCBPsResponsible for the strategic direction and control of the employment equity functionality• Undertakes research, benchmark and develops policies and strategy in line with the employment equity and implement EE best practice• Provide strategic advice and specialist input where required in order to facilitate appropriate and faster decision making• To provide a specialist consultancy service to various business unit leaders and HCBPs on the development and implementation of Employment Equity plans and related policies• Responsible for the annual EE statutory reporting• Lead establishment and facilitation of the Employment Equity Forum• Proactively staying abreast of legislative changes and international best practice and ensure employer legislative compliance• Represent the AGSA in gathering / meetings convened by the Department of Labour and make contributions on behalf of the AGSA in developing new proposed Employment Equity legislation, amendment and recommendations.Manage performance and develop Employee Relations and Employment Equity staff members• Capacitate the centre by ensuring that the operational team structure is maintained, and the team is appropriately recruited and selected;• Provide opportunities to develop, and adequately train staff members through completion of Personal Development Plans;• Manage individual’s staff performance through the development of performance contracts and through provision of regular performance reviews, based on the contracted performance targets.Monitoring, Evaluation, Budgeting and Reporting• Report to the Head of People Operations on a regular basis on the activities of the ER centre and on matters of substantial importance to ER and EE• Coordinate and prepare quarterly and annual reports on the progress of the centre• Maintain accurate records on ER and EE matters and submit high quality reports as required to management and other governance structures• Prepare risk registers for the centre and ensure mitigation of all risks identified• Manage the audit process of the centre with internal and external auditors• Participate in management structures or relevant AGSA committees where required• Provide an oversight role in the management and evaluation of performance by the service providers of the centre• Project manage all initiatives and programs within each functional area to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.Skills, Experience & Education• Knowledge and understanding of labour legislation• Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures• Knowledge of CCMA/Bargaining processes• Conflict resolution and problem solving skills• Ability to function independently and under pressure• Knowledge of contemporary ER dynamics, case law, labour legislation, trends and trade union matters.• Comprehensive knowledge of transformation/ change management, diversity and employment equity theory and best practiceACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONSBachelor’s Degree in Employee Relations/Human Resources/Labour Law or Commerce degreeAdded Advantage • Postgraduate degree in Employee Relations/Human Resources/Labour Law;• Certificate/Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution;• Admitted attorney with labour law experienceWORK EXPERIENCE• Minimum of 6 years’ experience post qualification with at least 4 years’ experience operating at a manager/middle management level.• Significant high level experience in dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration and negotiation.Closing StatementThe AGSA is not responsible for the verification of data provided and shall not be liable for any errors, factual,transcription or otherwise, contained in the information posted. Therefore, ensure that your online application and CV is correct, accurate and up to date.To successfully upload documents, ensure that the document name does not contain any special characters.This appointment is subject to the preferred candidate obtaining the necessary security clearance, reference checking and competency assessment.We embrace and committed in achieving employment equity within the organisation.Auditor General welcomes applications from all persons with disabilities.Clossing date : 30 October 2025