Location

The preferred location for this appointment is Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow or Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork.  Alternative Teagasc locations will be considered.  The appointee will be required to have a regular presence in Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow.  Travel to other Teagasc locations will be required on occasion.

Background

Teagasc - the Agriculture and Food Development Authority - is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities.  Our vision is to be a globally recognised leader in developing innovative science-based solutions for the sustainable transformation of our land resources into products and services for the benefit of society. 

Teagasc’s mission to provide scientific leadership and support to Irish farmers and food companies in achieving a sustainable food system is underpinned by our organisational values of 'Respect, Excellence and Integrity'.

Teagasc employs approximately 1,500 staff (permanent and contract) in over 50 locations across Ireland.

The Teagasc Human Resources Department has a key role to play in managing and supporting various aspects of the organisation’s workforce, and in aligning human resource practices and processes with the organisation's business strategy.  Comprising of approximately 20 staff members, the Department is more specifically responsible for providing a wide range of professional services across five main HR programme areas:

• Business Partnering
• Pay and Pensions
• Recruitment and Promotions
• Staff Learning and Development
• Employee Relations and Staff Engagement

In addition to an extensive recruitment and staffing portfolio, the Department is also responsible for workforce planning, talent/performance management, staff engagement, change management, fostering a positive work environment, ensuring compliance with employment law and Corporate Governance codes, addressing staff concerns, and developing strategic initiatives that align with organisational goals and objectives.

Basic Function:

The appointee will join the Employee Relations and Staff Engagement Unit within the HR Department.  On appointment, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for the management of the Teagasc case management processes and the ongoing monitoring and updating of relevant HR policies and procedures.  They will provide assistance to the Employee Relations & Staff Engagement Manager with regard to employee relations matters, including preparing for third party hearings.  The appointee will have responsibility for ensuring best practice and compliance in relation to Access and Disability within the organisation.  The role includes supplier management of the Teagasc Occupational Health Provider and other related suppliers.  The appointee will manage the Teagasc Employee Assistance Programme and provide HR Specialist support to the Employee Relations and Staff Engagement Manager and to managers and staff in the wider organisation as and when required.

The role requires the ability to work with information and situations which may be volatile, sensitive and is highly confidential in nature.  Candidates must demonstrate their understanding of these issues and their ability to work with the utmost discretion and confidentiality ensuring compliance with legislation and maintaining the trust and privacy of staff and managers.

Case Management

• Proactively identify new and emerging issues which are suitable for case management
• Support all case management processes as and when required including: mediation, conciliation, performance management, Dignity at Work, employee grievances, disciplinaries, protected disclosures and any resultant workplace investigation processes/appeals relating to same
• Provide expertise on the Teagasc Disciplinary process including setting up stage 2 and stage 4 processes, attending disciplinary meetings and supporting follow up actions.
• Lead, co-ordinate and support the activities of all monthly case management meetings
• Assume responsibility for the management of the case register, including periodic reporting to SMG
• Support the management of long term sick leave cases, in collaboration with the HR Pay and Pensions unit, in respect of complex case management circumstances.
• Initiate and manage referrals to Occupational Health as required.
• Maintain oversight of GDPR matters relating to case management, including the timely purging of appropriate files and sanctions in accordance with the GDPR retention schedule

HR Policies and Procedures

• Maintain, manage and update the Teagasc Staff Handbook according to agreed protocols and in consultation with the relevant unions as and when required
• Write any new policies required and bring through the consultation and approval phases
• Ensure that any legislative changes, or those arising from DPER circulars are adopted and incorporated as required
• Proactively identify and action areas where changes and/or improvements are required
• Monitor and control the issuing of HR Staff Notifications related to same

Access and Disability

• Carry out the role of Disability Officer for Teagasc
• Provide support to staff and managers around the area of Access & Disability including the provision of reasonable accommodation as and when required
• Liaise with the Department of Agriculture regarding the completion of the Annual Disability Return and Staff Census
• Take a proactive role in the initiation and management of Access and Disability initiatives throughout the organisation

Employee Assistance Programme

• Manage the Employee Assistance Programme for staff
• Provide advice to managers and staff around access and formal referral
• Work closely with the Provider to monitor and review the effectiveness of the Programme

Other

• Provide specialist advice and support relating to all of the above duties and responsibilities, to HR colleagues and to managers and staff as and when required
• Produce bi-annual staff engagement and employee relations report for senior management
• Provide support to the Staff Engagement & Employee Relations Manager in relation to staff engagement and/or employee relations matters and initiatives as and when required, including preparing for third party hearings
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• Actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations, including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.