Employee Relations Specialist at Africa Health Research Institute

Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

08 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

10 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Investigation Skills, Analytical Skills, Attention To Detail, Report Writing, Conflict Resolution, Negotiation Skills, Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Judgement, Ethical Decision-Making

Industry

Research Services

Description

Description: The Employee Relations Specialist will cultivate a positive and legally compliant workplace environment by proactively addressing employee concerns, conducting thorough investigations, facilitating conflict resolution, supporting union interactions, and ensuring alignment with South African labour legislation and internal company policies. Overview of Duties: Labour Relations Compliance Provide expert guidance on South African labour legislation Conduct labour relations risk audit and provide recommendations to prevent non-compliance and labour disputes Manage collective agreements, internal policies, and disciplinary procedures, where applicable. Case Investigation & management Lead or coordinate thorough investigations into disciplinary, grievance, harassment, discrimination, and misconduct cases. Collect statements, interview witnesses, analyse evidence, and compile comprehensive investigation reports. Ensure investigations are procedurally and substantively fair and meet legal and policy standards. Advise line managers and HR on the appropriate course of action based on findings. Maintain a case management register and ensure accurate documentation and confidentiality. Disciplinary & grievance management Support the end-to-end management of disciplinary and grievance processes. Draft charges, outcome letters, and hearing packs; chair hearings or support line management as required. Prepare for and participate in CCMA processes including conciliations, mediations, and arbitrations. Coach and train managers on ER protocols and sound decision-making. Union Engagement Build and maintain constructive relationships with recognised trade unions. Facilitate and attend union engagements, including wage negotiations and consultations. Act as a liaison between management and union representatives to resolve disputes amicably. Restructuring Provide ER guidance during restructurings, transfers, and retrenchment processes in line with Section 189. Ensure legally compliant consultation processes and support change communication plans. Assess and manage people risks during business transitions. Policy Development & Training Design, review, and implementation of ER and disciplinary policies. Deliver training to management and staff on ER topics such as workplace conduct, grievance procedures, and fair disciplinary practices. Reporting & Risk Management Maintain accurate records of all ER cases, investigations, and outcomes. Analyse trends and produce regular reports highlighting risks and recommendations. Recommend preventative strategies to reduce ER risks and improve workplace harmony. The successful candidate will be expected to work across both AHRI campuses, located in Somkhele and Durban. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or 3 years National Diploma in Labour Relations, Human Resources, Law, or Industrial Psychology. Minimum Experience 5 – 8 years of solid experience in employee/labour relations, including case investigations. Experience in unionised environments and representing cases at the CCMA is advantageous. In-depth knowledge of South African labour legislation and codes of good practice Skills Required Strong investigation and analytical skills High attention to detail and report writing ability Conflict resolution and negotiation skills Excellent verbal and written communication Sound judgement and ethical decision-making Additional Requirements Willingness to travel to different business sites Worker Type: Employee The application closing date: 20 Nov 2025 Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date. Africa Health Research Institute’s vision is optimal health and well-being of under-resourced populations. Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is an independent, transdisciplinary scientific research institute based across two campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa. AHRI’s research combines population, basic and translational, social, and clinical sciences to understand and intervene in the health and well-being of South African communities. AHRI works in partnership with local communities and South African academic, governmental, and other policy stakeholders and collaborates with over 60 institutions globally. AHRI prioritises the training of the next generation of African scientists. The work lives of AHRI’s ~700 scientists, students and staff members are driven by our values: ubuntu, transformation, leadership, innovation, excellence and collaboration.

Responsibilities

The Employee Relations Specialist will address employee concerns, conduct investigations, and facilitate conflict resolution while ensuring compliance with South African labour legislation. They will also support union interactions and manage disciplinary processes.