HR/IR Officer

Purpose of the Role

One of our entities seeks a hands-on HR/IR Officer to deliver the day-to-day human resources and industrial relations function for our operations in the power generation and energy sector. The successful candidate will be the first point of contact for employee relations matters on site, supporting union and community stakeholder engagement, administering employment contracts, and ensuring HR compliance in a unionised, project-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Industrial Relations

• Coordinate and administer the site IR function, including disciplinary processes, grievances, and incapacity procedures in line with company policy and the LRA
• Prepare case files, evidence packs, and documentation for disciplinary hearings, CCMA conciliations, and bargaining council matters
• Represent the entity at CCMA conciliation level and support management representation at arbitration
• Support day-to-day union liaison, including shop steward engagement, meeting coordination, and minute-keeping for union/management structures
• Assist with implementation of collective agreements, recognition agreements, and wage negotiation outcomes
• Monitor compliance with the LRA, BCEA, EEA, and applicable bargaining council/sectoral determinations, and escalate risks to management

Community & Stakeholder Liaison

• Support the entity's participation in community forums, local labour desks, and stakeholder engagement structures within the power generation sector
• Administer local recruitment processes in line with community employment commitments and SD&L (skills development and localisation) obligations
• Maintain records of community employment commitments, local labour registers, and stakeholder engagements
• Assist in resolving grievances and queries arising from community employment forums, escalating disputes where required

Contracts & HR Administration

• Draft and administer employment contracts (permanent, fixed-term, limited-duration project contracts) aligned to project lifecycles
• Administer contract renewals, extensions, and terminations, ensuring compliance with the LRA and project demobilisation requirements
• Support labour-related contractual obligations flowing from client contracts (e.g. local content and employment target reporting)
• Maintain site end-to-end recruitment for shutdowns in collaboration with various stakeholders
• Maintain complete, audit-ready employee files and HR records via the Group's HRIS
• Prepare HR reports and statutory submissions inputs (EE, WSP/ATR, COIDA) as required

HR Operations

• Coordinate end-to-end recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes for site employees
• Administer leave, timekeeping queries, and payroll inputs in coordination with the payroll function
• Support the rollout of Group HC initiatives at entity level, including performance reviews, grading alignment, and policy implementation
• Provide first-line HR advice to employees and line management, escalating complex matters to the General Manager and Group Human Capital Department

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant degree in HR Management, Industrial Relations, Labour Law, or related field (NQF 6/7 minimum; postgraduate qualification advantageous)
• Minimum 8–10 years' HR generalist experience, of which at least 5 years in a dedicated IR or HR/IR management role
• Demonstrable experience in the power generation, energy, construction, or heavy engineering sector
• Proven track record of union negotiations and CCMA/bargaining council representation
• Experience managing community stakeholder forums and site labour desks
• Sound working knowledge of the LRA, BCEA, EEA, SDA, and POPIA
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel to project sites
• Own transport / medical fitness for site access, if applicable

Advantageous

• Experience with project demobilisation and Section 189/197 processes
• Registered with SABPP or similar professional body