Employee Relations Officer at Kenya Red Cross Society

Job Summary

• The Employee Relations Officer will play a critical role in fostering trust between the organization and its employees. This position is responsible for creating and implementing strategies to maintain positive working relationships, safeguarding matters related to KRCS employees, ensure compliance with labor laws, and promote an engaging work environment. The role involves advising management on complex employee relations matters, developing HR policies, and driving initiatives that balance employee needs with organizational goals in collaboration with the safeguarding coordinator.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

• All employee relations and human resource safeguarding issues within KRCS.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employee Relations Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Employee Relations Strategy that aligns with organizational goals and promotes positive working relationships.
• Lead negotiations and dialogue to balance organizational needs with employee demands, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
• Collaborate with  human resource manager to design and implement strategies that address employee concerns and organizational expectations.

Legal Compliance & Policy Development

• Ensure all employee relations practices comply with Kenyan labor laws and regulations
• Provide expertise on legal considerations during all stages of the employment relationship, including recruitment, on boarding, performance management, and termination and HR safeguarding.
• Develop, update, and interpret HR policies and procedures to reflect legal requirements and best practices.

Conflict Resolution & Advisory Support

• Facilitate constructive dialogue between employees and management on employment-related issues.
• Counsel managers and employees on handling workplace conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary matters.
• Serve as a mediator in conflict resolution to maintain harmonious working relationships.

Monitoring & Evaluation of Employee Relations Efforts

• Monitor the impact of employee relations programs, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
• Analyze trends and metrics to propose data-driven recommendations for improving policies and processes.

Discipline & Performance Management

• Manage employee discipline and performance improvement processes in collaboration with HR, managers and Heads of Departments.
• Partner with supervisors to develop and implement corrective actions and performance-based initiatives.

Employee Advocacy & Communication

• Educate and communicate with employees about HR policies, benefits, and workplace expectations to foster understanding and alignment.
• Act as an advocate for employees while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Proactively mitigate potential risks related to employee dissatisfaction or conflicts.

Additional Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve cases of employee dissatisfaction, misconduct, or workplace issues.
• Attend and document disciplinary hearings in an advisory capacity and ensure documentation is well kept.
• Collaborate with the safeguarding coordinator to ensure all records are kept and all incidences reported and tracked for compliance and closure.
• Participate in HR-related projects and initiatives as assigned by the Head of HR.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Risk owner, responsible for managing and making decisions relating to threats and opportunities that may affect the unit.
• Responsible for assessing, documenting, monitoring and reporting risks to the Deputy Secretary General.
• Member of the Risk Oversight Committee, responsible for supporting the Secretary General in managing KRCS risks.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or related field.
• Certification in Employee Relations, HR Management, or Labor Laws is highly preferred.

Desired Skills and Competencies

• 4+ years of experience in employee relations, labor law, or HR policy development
• Strong knowledge of labor law, employment policies, and HR best practices
• Demonstrated expertise in Kenyan labor laws and regulations
• Proven ability to lead negotiations and resolve conflicts effectively
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to build trust and rapport
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to evaluate complex employee relations issues
• Leadership and conflict resolution skills to manage sensitive situations
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with HR tools and systems for tracking employee relations metrics.
• Project management skills for handling multiple HR initiatives.