About The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.
Job Title: Manager, People Relations
Location: Ibadan
Employment Type: Contract (3-year renewable)
Responsibilities
Employee Relations:
- Coordinate the people relations team to provide guidance on employee relations matters to management and all people leaders in the Institute to enable effective management, conflict resolution and problem solving.
- Lead in the effective management of employee relations, including facilitating communication and working relationship with staff associations.
- Responsible for grievances (formal and informal) and conflict management; handle reports and complaints regarding violations of rights and oversee processes for review and resolution of employee grievances; advice on a full range of employee relations matters, including development of performance improvement plans, disciplinary issues, and workforce rightsizing issues.
- Provide interpretation of employment contracts to all employee categories e.g. managers, staff and People & Culture team members.
- Advise managers and staff on sensitive labour and employee relations matters, including grievance procedures; performance issues and disciplinary actions; advise and assist managers in identifying employee relations issues and determining appropriate course of action
- Maintain current knowledge of employee and labour relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes; conduct research necessary to support terms and conditions of employment and employee relations.
- Provide information, advice and assistance to the P&C Unit managers and staff regarding application of laws, regulations, and employee relations practices relating to their respective functional areas.
- Develop and recommend policies and procedures concerning employee relations and people management practices.
Ethics in the Workplace:
- Lead the design and development of policies, procedures, and guidelines that support the promotion of ethical standards in the institute and in the CGIAR.
- Collaborate with the Senior Leadership in building a strong ethical culture within the institute.
- Coordinate investigations of reports of unethical practices and guide management action.
- Participate in relevant committees in designing and delivering awareness programs.
Employee Health and Safety, and Wellbeing:
- Coordinate employee health and safety issues including fitness and wellness programs
- Initiate and recommend Employee Assistance Referrals with appropriate consultation with stakeholders.
- Facilitate employee welfare services e.g., staff canteen, employee relocation management, etc.
- Coordinate employee recognition programs, including Long Service Awards and organization of retirees’ reception.
- Collaborate effectively with tasks teams in the organization of employee special events including Sportsfest, Open Day, etc.
- Conduct employee exit interviews, analyzing trends or opportunities for feedback improvement particularly in areas related to employee engagement.
Operational Support to Institute and P&C Strategy:
- Participate in setting the direction of P&C strategic and operational support to the Institute.
- Propose updates to Ethics and Codes and collaborate with other P&C colleagues to ensure compliance and best practice is demonstrated through policies, procedures, and processes.
- Collaborate with other P&C colleagues in identifying and analyzing people risk analysis and submit report with recommendation on risk mitigation.
Support to Talent Acquisition:
- Collaborate with Talent Acquisition team to conduct background checks on new hires and recommend appropriate action before appointment/confirmation.
- Support processes leading to confirmation of appointment
Other assignments:
- Join in unit-led corporate events and other unit programs and activities.
- Provide support to other People & Culture initiatives.
- Serve in task teams as may be assigned.
- Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Requirements
Qualification:
- Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or related field, with a minimum of six (6) years of experience in human resource management, performing similar role in large complex organizations with Membership of a recognized HR professional body e.g., CIPM, CIPD, HRCI, SHRM is required.
Competencies:
The ideal candidate must have:
- Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and proactively analyze and resolve problems.
- Ability to exercise discretion and to manage confidential information.
- Strategic and diplomatic, with a strong analytical and problem-solving and supervisory skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to details.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, with good presentation skills.
- Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations.
- Ability to form strong workplace relationships at all levels of the organization.
Benefits
- We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.