HR Country Head - Renewable Energy

Energy Africa Recruitment • Full-time • Sandton • 1w ago

Our client is an Independent Power Producer looking for a Country HR Head to run HR in South Africa.

You set the country HR strategy with the Country Manager, keep the plants staffed with the right people, and hold a working relationship with NUMSA.

You work to a dual reporting line, answering to the Country Manager locally and to the HR Director for Africa on the HR function.

You lead one to two direct reports and two to three indirect reports.

The role is based in Johannesburg, with extensive travel to the Northern Cape as needed. It is open to South African citizens who meet BEE criteria.

Strategy and reporting

Build the country HR strategy with the Country Manager, in line with the regional HR strategy.
Report to the Country Manager on what the HR team is doing, the problems it faces and how you are dealing with them.
Keep the international HR and Administration Manager informed on local context, so the solutions that come back fit South Africa.

Team and budget

Set objectives for your team, manage their performance, develop them and give them regular feedback.
Help prepare the HR budget, track spend against it and act quickly when it runs off course.

Manpower planning and recruitment

Assess the country's manpower needs with plant management and put manpower planning models in place.
Oversee recruitment for each plant with the Recruitment Supervisor, so budgeted vacancies are filled with the right people.
For new projects, build the manpower plan and organisation structure with the Country Manager and Regional HR, then run the recruitment drive.

Performance, reward and talent

Run the performance management process in line with corporate policy.
Advise line managers on day to day pay matters: salary adjustments, promotion increases and pay for performance.
Identify talent in the country and work with the Talent Management function so training needs are met.

HR operations and administration

Oversee monthly payroll so people are paid on time.
Handle grievances and disciplinary matters, and deal with employee queries quickly.
Keep employee records, leave and absence records accurate at country and plant level.
Manage work permits, visas, licences and other government paperwork, and build working relationships with government officials.
Run country administration: facilities, office management, transport, accommodation, catering and water supply at plant level.

Employee and industrial relations

Policy and HSSE

Roll out HR policies, procedures and controls across the country.
Make sure your team follows health, safety, security and environmental policies.

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources or equivalent.
Ten years' experience in a HR Executive role at an operational and strategic level.
Experience working to a dual reporting line, with a local business head and a regional or group HR lead, and keeping both aligned.
Experience reporting into a multicultural, international organisation, where the people you report to and work with sit across different countries and cultures. (preferable)
Strong industrial relations knowledge and a sound grasp of South African labour law.
An energy or mining background is preferred, otherwise large infrastructure, especially if you have worked closely with large unions.
Negotiation skills that hold up with a union across the table and at the CCMA - union end holistic IR experience.
You build relationships easily, communicate clearly and work well with people from all cultures.
You plan well, stay organised and present with confidence.
SAP success factor or similar experience
You understand the business value chain (commercial), not only the HR function.
Budget and comp and benefits experience
A working knowledge of people management systems and HR policy.

A country HR role with a line into the Country Manager and the HR Director for Africa.
A Johannesburg base with regular time on site in the Northern Cape.
Medical Aid paid in full, pension and other solid company benefits unique to the SA RE market.

If you have not heard from us within 14 days, please note your application is unsuccessful.

This role is open to South African BEE applicants only.