Senior HR Officer - Employee Relations at GardaWorld

Job Summary

The Senior HR Officer, Employee relations-Kenya will work closely with the Head of HR, Kenya to ensure the implementation of Human Resource policies, procedures, and regulations which are aligned to Strategic and Business goals considering application of relevant law and company policy. The incumbent will contribute towards the development of a fair, respectful, diverse, and high-performance environment enabling people to contribute their best. They will handle various matters including drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting legal research, assisting with litigation, and generally dealing with corporate and commercial matters across the Kenya operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead in the on-boarding and induction of new staff including training on HR policies, disciplinary code and code of ethics.
• Promote employer-employee engagement by providing guidance and consultation regarding problem solving, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance and strive to resolve internal conflict both formally and informally through appropriate conflict management and mediation techniques.
• Support in the development and facilitate the administration of HR policies and procedures; create awareness to ensure compliance throughout the company; Analyse staff data and provide recommendations for improvement of organization’s HR policies and practices.
• Keep updated with changes to employment and labour relation laws and regulations and make recommendations to management on the adoption of best practice.
• Analyse, advise and facilitate the end-to-end disciplinary management process including but not limited to grievance handling, dispute resolution, investigations, and disciplinary action for legal and policy compliance and internal alignment on corrective actions.
• Participate in negotiations and consultation with the staff Union and its representative (s) on behalf of the Company with a view to achieving positive outcomes to proposals which meet the Company’s business goals.
• Interpret and administer labour agreements entered by the Company.
• Maintain harmonious industrial relations with the various bodies the Company interacts within the performance of its business. This includes the Ministry of Labour, DOSH office, FKE (Federation of Kenyan Employers), Unions etc.
• Monitoring and/or advising on changes to legislation and regulations that affect the organisation’s statutory obligations.
• Take lead on all litigation and dispute resolution cases in the Kenya business.
• Maintaining the Kenyan litigation tracker in close collaboration with external lawyers.
• Drafting and review of employment and consultancy contracts.
• Drafting a wide range of legal documents including correspondence, pleadings, notices and affidavits.
• Preparation of court attendance forms, following up on witnesses, obtaining and evaluating necessary evidence, and defence strategy with respect to litigation matters, including dispute resolution.
• Building and maintaining good rapport with internal clients and providing commercial legal support to departmental projects and job functions.
• Provide all such other administrative and other duties as directed by the Head of HR, Kenya.

Principal Outputs Of This Role

• Improved industrial relations scorecard
• Collective Bargaining Agreements that ensure win-win scenarios for employer-employee
• Fair administration of justice within company policies, procedures and regulations.
• Providing sound counsel with respect to all legal matters, to provide effective risk management to the organisation
• Representing the organisation, as required, with respect to legal proceedings
• Maintaining a current knowledge of all material and applicable laws, advising the organisation with respect to changes to the same
• Interpreting laws and regulations for individuals and corporate organization, in order to advise on the same
• Knowledge of court rules and procedures, administrative hearings, land and company’s registry procedures.
• Demonstrating moral fortitude and ethical behaviour always.

Authority

Refer to KK Security Authority Matrix.

Accountability

The Senior HR Officer, Employee relations-Kenya is accountable to the Head of HR, Kenya for ensuring that HR legal operations are run in accordance with company policies and for other responsibilities stated in this job description. These responsibilities will be monitored and managed through regular performance reviews and supported through the monitoring of KPIs as guided by KK Security HR Policies.

Competencies

• Excellent research, analysis and presentation skills
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, project management skills
• Excellent written &verbal communication skills
• Good understanding of civil litigation, corporate law and commercial law
• Competent, prompt, diligent and ability to work under pressure and deliver within set deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive and tactful manner
• Demonstrated willingness to engage in professional development activities in order to develop and improve new and current skills and to adapt to evolving needs of the organization
• Excellent team working ability to ensure smooth operation in the HR department as a whole

Qualifications & Experience

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a law firm or as internal legal counsel in a corporate environment with a bias to employment and/or commercial law.
• At least 4 years’ experience managing employment/labour related practices in a unionisable environment.
• A valid practicing certificate.