Assistant Director: Employee Relations

About the role

The Assistant Director, Employee Relations will oversee grievance handling, dispute resolution and disciplinary processes within the Department of Agriculture, ensuring compliance with labour legislation and internal policies.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor implementation of grievance prescripts and ensure cases are resolved within 30 working days or agreed timeframes.
• Provide advice on labour relations policies, procedures and legislation to clients and business units.
• Identify disputes requiring legal services or external counsel, prepare and present cases, and negotiate settlement agreements where appropriate.
• Represent the Department at conciliation and arbitration hearings.
• Maintain a labour relations reporting system, submit monthly statistics and assist in quarterly and annual report preparation.
• Facilitate capacity‑building programmes and training for business units on request.
• Open and manage misconduct files, ensure disciplinary cases are finalised within 90 calendar days, and monitor implementation of outcomes.
• Draft, initiate and finalise formal disciplinary processes and produce related reports.