Employee Relations Advisor at Co-operative Bank of Kenya

Ref: ERA/HRAD/2023

We are seeking to strengthen our HR support to the business by recruiting a highly motivated individual for the position of Employee Relations Advisor. This is a stretching role and requires a self-directed professional with ambition to grow, develop their career and most importantly passionate about people. 

Reporting to the Head, Employee Relations & Welfare, the role holder will develop and maintain a conducive employee relations atmosphere, provide guidance and advise the business on labour laws/practice, discipline and grievance issues and co-ordinate staff welfare functions.

The Role

Specifically, the successful jobholder will be required to:

• Liaise with team leaders to ensure consistency of disciplinary procedures in the network.
• Study reported disciplinary cases and advise on the relevant disciplinary actions.
• Study investigation and audit reports and take relevant disciplinary action.
• Communicate disciplinary decisions to line managers and ensure proper implementations of actions
• Investigate and respond to all queries raised by the Union or line managers on staff disciplinary matters.
• Organize and constitute the Disciplinary Hearing Panel and staff discipline matters.
• Co-ordinate in liaison with the Bank’s advocates all litigation cases for ex-staff and attend to Industrial Court as the Bank’s Witness on all litigation matters.
• Support Bank subsidiaries in handling disciplinary matters when called upon.
• Provide expert advice to line managers on legal implications of disciplinary actions as they relate to the labour laws.
• Act as a centre of expertise for the organization on matters pertaining to employee relations.
• Seek support for the Bank’s employee relations strategy from stakeholders.
• Monitor on a regular basis changes in labour laws and keep managers informed.
• Undertake regular consultations and negotiations with the Union.
• Attend to and represent the Bank at the Ministry of Labour conciliation meetings.
• Liaise with Kenya Bankers Association and Kenya Institute of Bankers on employment related matters.
• Ensure the Bank’s HR policies are aligned to the existing labour laws.
• Represent the Bank and participate in Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the Union.
• Ensure that the Bank applies and practices the best labour practices and that the Bank adheres to all provision of labor laws and other relevant statues.

Skills, Competencies and Experience

The successful candidate will be required to have the following skills and competencies:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or Law (LLB) from a recognized university with 2-3 years of demonstrable HR experience in a busy environment. 
• A Higher Diploma in Human Resources with I/CHRM or other professional body membership.
• A detailed and working knowledge of the provisions of the Labour Laws with practical experience in Employee Relations.
• A good awareness of the internal and external industrial environment with detailed knowledge of the Bank’s disciplinary and grievance procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of best practices in Human Resource policies, processes and strategies.
• High level of tact and diplomacy and the ability to use appropriate styles and methods of communication to ensure a professional yet personal customer service; excellent spoken and written English.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a discreet and professional manner. 
• Ability to build effective working relationships with others – at all levels of the organization. 
• Proven ability to remain calm, focused and organized and to deliver results on time when under pressure and with rapidly changing circumstances.