Director, Industrial Relations (GMG/SEG 1)

Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Development, the Director, Industrial Relations is responsible for managing the Industrial Relations functions by: 1. Developing policies and policy guidelines and ensuring that adherence to; 2. Undertaking research and keeping abreast of trends and developments in the field; 3. Ensuring that the development of strategies and programmes are designed to maintain good Labour Relations between management, staff and trade unions/staff association; 4. Providing leadership by participating as a member of the negotiating team dealing with Collective Bargaining and other Industrial Relations matters; 5. Acting as the Ministry’s Chief Advisor on Industrial Relations matters. 💰Salary: $3,501,526 - $4,709,163 JMD per annum.

Responsibilities

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Exercises responsibility for the development of policy and policy guidelines;
  • • Represents the Ministry at meetings, seminars and conferences on Industrial Relations and related matters;
  • • Writes a variety of reports, papers and briefs and submits to the Permanent Secretary or presents at meetings, seminars and workshops;
  • • Participates in meetings with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s Industrial Relations Unit, Statutory Bodies and Agencies, in Union negotiations on behalf of staff members;
  • • Provides leadership to, and participates as a member of the Negotiating Team dealing with Collective Bargaining and other Industrial Relations matters;
  • • Acts as the Ministry’s Chief Advisor on Industrial Relations Matters;
  • • Provides counselling to members of staff on Human Resource and Industrial Relations issues;
  • • Provides technical advice/guidance on Industrial Relations matters to Directors, Managers, Heads of Divisions/Department, Agencies and Statutory Bodies;
  • • Reviews and makes recommendations to the Permanent Secretary, through Senior Director, HRM&D, on claim submissions and all matters relating to discipline of employees;
  • • Ensures the design, development and management of strategies and programmes to maintain harmonious Labour Relations between management, staff and Trade Unions/Staff Associations;
  • • Represents the Ministry at Boards of Enquiry and meetings on wages, salaries and fringe benefits;
  • • Collaborates in the review and justification of alternative Industrial Relations strategies to be adopted, often at short notice; participates in establishing norms and developing accurate indicators for measuring effectiveness;
  • • Monitors and manages the Ministry’s Aftercare Programme.

• Technical:

  • • Co-ordinates disciplinary proceedings and sees to the implementation of recommendations and findings;
  • • Investigates causes of disputes and circumstances relating to work stoppages and other forms of labour unrest and devise, recommends and implements appropriate corrective action;
  • • Undertakes background work and research on Industrial Relations issues and, when approved, sees to their adherence;
  • • Communicates all relevant information acquired to the Ministry, in order to influence planning and decision making;
  • • Interprets information for the benefit of line managers and offer consultations to the Ministry’s officials, the public and employees as requested;
  • • Co-ordinates and monitors Staff Welfare Programmes;
  • • Conducts interviews with employees who are involved in disputes and those with grievances;
  • • Investigates complaints regarding salary, working conditions;
  • • Interprets Government’s policy on Industrial Relations, discipline, leave, pensions and post reclassification;
  • • Prepares and issues warning letters;
  • • Ensures acceptance and implementation of the Staff Orders and Government Regulations, which are designed to facilitate mutual responsibility and respect;
  • • Liaises with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on matters relating to salary, allowances, negotiations and Government Industrial Relations policies;
  • • Ensures that members of staff of the Ministry and relevant Agencies and bodies are aware of and adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations of Government and the Ministry;
  • • Provides guidance to members of staff through counseling or refers them to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Employee Assistance Programme;
  • • Provides leadership to staff through maintaining staff morale;
  • • Prepares reports and Minutes for submissions to the Office of the Services Commissions, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service; Disciplinary Committee Members;
  • • Participates as a member of the Disciplinary Committee and prepares submission on all cases to Office of the Services Commissions;
  • • Costs all claims and prepares Budget for claims submitted by relevant bodies and submits to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service;
  • • Prepares Budget for termination and abolition of post exercise, for submission to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service;
  • • Negotiates salaries and fringe benefits for employees of the Ministry and relevant bodies affiliated with the Ministry;
  • • Monitors and submits report on the performance of officers against whom disciplinary action was instituted;
  • • Investigates and makes recommendations on matters relating to disputes, grievances, legal and medical matters;
  • • Verifies, computes and submits claims for Uniform and Tailoring allowances for the relevant officers;
  • • Liaises with Human Resource Managers and Heads of Department/Agencies/Statutory Agencies to obtain information and clarifications and to provide advice and recommendations;
  • • Functions as a team member in developments in Industrial/Labour Relations field by; - Maintaining a network with other organizations through Industrial Relations/Human Resource Specialists and Line Managers; - Attending the relevant seminars.

• Human Resource:

  • • Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares Performance Appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organizational goals;
  • • Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/Unit and recommends transfer, promotions, termination and leave in accordance with the established Human Resource policies and procedures;
  • • Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching;
  • • Ensures the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Division/Unit are clearly identified and addressed;
  • • Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and Organization’s goals.

• Other:

  • • Attends meeting at the Ministry of Labour for the grant of Work Permit approvals;
  • • Performs other related duties from time to time as instructed by the Senior Director, Human Resource Management and Development.

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • • Methodical
  • • Teamwork and co-operation
  • • Good interpersonal skills
  • • Good customer and quality focus skills
  • • Managing partners
  • • Managing the client interface
  • • Excellent leadership skills
  • • Good analytical and decision-making skills
  • • Good planning and organizing skills

• Technical:

  • • Excellent knowledge of the Grievance Process
  • • Excellent knowledge of the Industrial Relations policies
  • • Excellent knowledge of the Jamaican Labour Laws
  • • Excellent negotiating skills
  • • Good problem solving and conflict management skills
  • • Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications

Qualifications

• • Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc) in Business Administration, Public Administration or Human Resource Management;
• • Successful completion of recognized training in Industrial Relations;
• • Three (3) years’ working experience in the field of Industrial Relations.

Additional Information and Instructions

• Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

  • • Exposure to highly confidential and sensitive information;
  • • Expected to demonstrate high level of integrity and professionalism;
  • • Critical deadlines to meet;
  • • Islandwide traveling;
  • • Exposure to aggressive behaviour.

Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Thursday, 6th March, 2025 to: Senior Director Human Resource Management and Development Division Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Hope Gardens Kingston 6 📧 Email: jobopportunities@moa.gov.jm ℹ️ Subject: Director, Industrial Relations (GMG/SEG 1) 🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email.

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