ROLE DESCRIPTION
PUBLIC SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME
HR MANAGER: SCHOOLS
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Reports to: Programme Director
Direct Reports: None
Project responsibilities:
The HR Manager: Schools is responsible for delivering a comprehensive HR service to the partner school governing bodies (SGB) including serving on the SGB and sub-committees of these WCED no-fee public schools in the Collaboration Schools programme.
About the Public School Partnerships:
All participants of the programme are driven by a deeply held belief that every child has the right to high quality education regardless of socio-economic status and every parent and educator should be empowered to provide it.
The programme aims to demonstrate the potential for excellence in even the most challenged school environments, by supporting schools with additional governance capacity, increased accountability, and flexibility in school management.
Key responsibilities:
The HR Manager will provide support to the SGBs in their employer role by:
Leading the development of HR strategies and business plans for the SGBs
Undertaking policy development and overseeing the implementation of policies for SGB employees
Supporting the principal in the application of WCED policies and conditions of service to all WCED staff employed at the school
Overseeing HR governance in the school, ensuring compliance with applicable labour legislation and (in the case of WCED staff) collective agreements
Supporting the SGB in the sourcing and retaining of high performing staff including:
Recruitment and selection
Talent management
Conditions of service & remuneration
Supporting the SGB in the management of discipline
Sound labour relations and grievance resolution
Employee wellness and occupational health & safety
Sound HR administration and payroll management
HR Risk management
Serving on the SGB HR Sub-Committees as HR Lead, providing specialist HR services to all schools and the SGBs
Work collaboratively with school staff including secretaries, bursars, Principals or other administrators supporting, mentoring, empowering and ultimately enabling as required.
Qualifications & experience
Relevant business or social science degree in HR or equivalent
3 – 5 years practical experience in a HR management role, assuming headline responsibility for an organisation’s HR functions
Previous experience in a school environment, WCED environment are preferred, but not required
A driver’s license and car would be advantageous
An ability to work flexible working hours, including evening and weekend work
Skills & knowledge
Knowledge of HR legislation, systems and processes and track record in developing and implementing HR policies and systems
Knowledge and understanding of HR within the educational environment would be an advantage
Advanced computer literacy skills and experience working in a largely online environment
Proficiency overseeing technology projects and information systems
Excellent organisational skills, with high levels of attention to detail, and comfortable developing and implementing operational systems
Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with all team members and stakeholders
A working knowledge of Afrikaans or Xhosa would be an advantage
Demonstrable proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point and internet use
Attributes
Demonstrated passion for education and commitment to the belief that every single child deserves access to a high quality education
Proven ability to juggle a complex workload, prioritise effectively, take the initiative, problem solve, be flexible, and work with minimal supervision
Highly organised, self-reliant, good problem-solving, results-oriented, multi-tasker with superior management skills and excellent judgement
Friendly and positive disposition, with professional demeanour and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a cohesive and supportive team
Trustworthy and reliable, with the ability to handle confidential information discreetly
Demonstrated ability to build consensus, facilitate collaboration and problem-solving and manage conflict among varied stakeholders in matrixed environments
Ability to clearly define strategic issues and make tough decisions in the face of ambiguity and incomplete information
Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment
Attention to detail, completed-ness, the ability to sense-check and critique one’s own work and to deliver work within identified timeframes
Excellent lateral management – successfully engaging others in empathetic, positive and productive working relationships, prioritising ‘the human factor’ in all educational endeavours
Strategic thinker
Ability to set boundaries and maintain confidentiality
Resilient
To Apply
Please send a cover note and CV to [email protected], on or before 30th April 2021. Short-listed applicants will be contacted within 2 weeks of submission.