RMIT Classification: Trusted

Job Description – Senior Advisor, Employee Relations

Position Details

Position Title: Senior Advisor, Employee Relations

Portfolio/College: Operations
School/Group: People
Campus Location: Based at the Saigon South campus but may be required to work and/or be based at other
campuses of RMIT Vietnam.
Employment Type: Full time, fixed term
Classification: PS8
Time Fraction: 1.0 FTE

RMIT University

RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise. Our mission is to help shape the world through
research, innovation, teaching and engagement, and to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them
ready for life and work. One of Australia’s original educational institutions founded in 1887, RMIT University now has
82,000 students including 12,000 at postgraduate level.

The University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and practical education, applied and
innovative research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the cities in which we are located. With three
campuses in Melbourne (Central Business District, Brunswick and Bundoora), two in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City) and a centre in Barcelona, Spain, RMIT is a truly global university. RMIT also offers programs through partners in
Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Germany, Austria and The Netherlands, and
enjoys research and industry partnerships on every continent.

RMIT prides itself on the strong industry links it has forged over its 129-year history. Collaboration with industry is
integral to the University’s leadership in applied research and education, and to the development of highly skilled,
globally focused graduates. We are a 5-Star university under the QS Stars international evaluation system, and are 21st
in the world among universities less than 50 years old (2015 QS Top 50 Under 50 index).

RMIT is ranked among the world’s top universities in 23 of 38 assessed subjects (and all five faculty areas) featured in
the 2017 QS World University Rankings by Subject. RMIT features among the world’s top 100 ranking in the 2017 QS
subject rankings in Art and Design; Architecture and the Built Environment; Computer Science, Information Systems,
Engineering (Civil and Structural); Engineering (Electrical and Electronic); Communication and Media Studies,
Education, Business and Management Studies, and Development Studies. The University’s research was rated “well
above world standard” in 13 research fields and “above world standard” in a further nine fields in the 2015 Excellence in
Research for Australia evaluation. In the 2017 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, RMIT is ranked seventh in
Australia and 71-80 in the world on the basis of employer reputation, alumni outcomes, partnerships with employers,
employer-student connections and graduate employment rate.

www.rmit.edu.au

RMIT Vietnam

RMIT University Vietnam (RMIT Vietnam) is a campus of RMIT University. RMIT Vietnam is creating an innovative
research, teaching and learning culture. We are committed to providing internationally recognised high-quality education
and professional training for our students, clients and members of the community.

As an internationally recognised Australian university based in Asia, RMIT Vietnam is assisting in the development of
human resources capability in Vietnam and the region.

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Degrees are awarded by RMIT University in Australia, allowing Vietnamese students to receive an overseas education
without having to leave home. Given its international profile, RMIT Vietnam is also host to students from Australia and
many other countries. All degree programs are recognised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training
(MOET) and are subject to regulation by the Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. The
academic programs span from vocational English through to undergraduate, post-graduate and Ph.D. programs. All
teaching at RMIT Vietnam is in English.
www.rmit.edu.vn

The People Team

Human Resources is a team of strategic HR professionals providing outstanding, client focused, proactive and effective
solutions and services for all RMIT Vietnam staff. Our success is achieved by understanding our business and
operating as a business partner to our clients. We deliver responsive, innovative and practical solutions and services.

The Human Resources team operate in a manner that supports the RMIT values and achievement of the business
objectives. By providing tailored, quality human resources services and products and ensuring a high level of expert
support and advice, the Human Resources team will enhance College/Portfolios and Groups ability to meet their
business objectives. This in turn will allow university staff to better support the current and future student population at
the university.

Position summary

The Senior Advisor, Employee Relations is responsible for developing and delivering quality workplace relations
advice, solutions, policies, processes, and systems which are consistent and integrated with the business of the
University.

Work outputs generally fall into the categories of:

• Advisory
• Case management including conduct, performance, change inherent requirements
• Advocacy
• Policy review and development
• Drafting – contractual and policy
• Coaching
• Strategy and projects
• Investigations

The Principal Advisor, Employee Relations will proactively deliver ER support, and management of cases of all levels of
risk cases across a range of ER issues including conduct, performance, change and inherent requirements.

There is a strong emphasis on identification of the root cause/s of an issue whilst assessing the bigger picture and
then developing a suitable resolution strategy in partnership with the manager, executive stakeholders and HR
Business Partner. The role will typically be responsible for a defined client cohort group such as a School and/or
Portfolio

Resolution strategies will include a range of interventions including ADR, restorative justice, workplace investigations
and disciplinary processes. The Senior Advisor will be required to provide oversight and guidance to more junior team
members in conducting workplace investigations

The Principal Advisor will provide advice and resolve enquiries regarding interpretation of legislation, enterprise
agreements, policy and employment contracts, much of which comes from multiple sources. Advice regarding change
projects and associated ER implication is also an important requirement of the role. The Principal Advisor will be
expected to provide coaching and training for various stakeholders of the University as required as well as mentor and
assist more junior members of the HRBP Team.

The Principal Advisor must have an expert understanding across all aspects of the work performed by the Employee
Relations Team and may be rotated into projects to ensure the provision of expert advice.

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Reporting Line

Reports to: Senior Manager, People Partnering & HRIS

Indirectly reports to: N/A
Direct reports: N/A

Key accountabilities

1. Develop collaborative working relationships with stakeholders in order to provide a high level of expert advice,
coaching and solutions on any workplace relations issues
2. Act as specialist for questions of interpretation of RMIT enterprise agreements, employment contracts and HR
policy and employment law
3. Full case management with timely resolution of complex IR/ER matters in the workplace including advocacy and
overseeing of risk assessment to ensure relevant leadership is made aware accordingly
4. Lead and manage complex workplace investigations in partnership with Human Resources Business Partner(s)

5. Provide expert advice and influence in complex IR/ER matters

6. Actively participate in project development and execution

7. Develop and maintain strong effective working relationships with unions, employer organisations, government
agencies and relevant stakeholders.
8. Deliver coaching and training sessions in areas of expertise
9. Ensure all reporting and upkeep of systems/documents occurs in a timely manner

10. Provide expertise with Policy drafting and development as required.

11. Providing coaching, support and guidance to develop skill and capability uplift of the Human Resources team
members.

12. Keep abreast of industrial relations legislation, case law and other relevant changes

13. Influence HR executive leadership and other executive stakeholders

14. Mentor other HR Advisors outside of the Employee Relations team who assist with low-risk matters

15. Influence and contribute expertise to the development of the Employee Relations Strategy

16. Ensure that policies are thoroughly understood by HR team members, and stakeholders. This includes providing
expert and tailored guidance along with assessment on IR/ER matters

Key selection criteria

1. Degree qualifications in Industrial/Employee Relations, Law or relevant experience

2. Qualifications or accreditations in Project Management (PRINCE2, Lean, Agile) would be advantageous

3. Expert working level knowledge of the Vietnam Labour Code and DOLISA are essential, with the ability to
become an expert across all RMIT VN related policies

4. Demonstrated experience providing sensitive and complex advice/consultation on a broad range of workplace
relations matters including performance management, misconduct, industrial disputes enterprise-wide change
and terminations in large complex organisations including health related issues from end to end

5. Strong ability to review, interpret, and craft professional responses to complex notices of dispute, legal issues or
complaints submitted by staff, the union or other paid agents which appropriately address the dispute or
complaint whilst managing risk to the University

6. Ability to draft emails, letters, advice, complex submissions and complete any other memos/
templates/documents of a high standard quality.

7. Excellent ability to effectively negotiate with and influence unions, clients and other executive stakeholders8.

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Research, investigate and respond to complex industrial questions with reference to legislation, industrial
instruments, contracts, policy and case law in Vietnam

8. Ability to analyse and interpret data to generate and deliver information in a sensible and appropriate format

9. Sounds knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of procedural fairness/ethics/equality/equity and how
these manifests in a workplace investigation.

10. Ability in the use of a range of computer applications, including Microsoft Office Programs and adapt to using HR
tools such as Service Now, Workday etc.

11. Ability to develop and contribute to Employee Relations Strategy and developing/drafting policies relating to this
area of work.

12. Demonstrated experience in coaching and mentoring team members

English proficiency

English is the language of teaching and communication at RMIT Vietnam. For this role, the minimum requirement is
IELTS (General) with a score of at least 7.0 or 170 in Lingua Skills.
For any role, English Language Proficiency may also be proven by showing successful completion of secondary
education to a level qualifying to enter university study while being instructed through the medium of English, as per the
RMIT University recognised qualification list.

Organisational Accountabilities

RMIT University is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff. RMIT and its staff must comply with a
range of statutory requirements, including equal opportunity, occupational health and safety, privacy and trade
practice. RMIT also expects staff to comply with its policy and procedures, which relate to statutory requirements and
our ways of working.

Appointees are accountable for completing training on these matters and ensuring their knowledge, and the
knowledge of their staff, is up to date.

Name: Name:
Endorsed: Approved:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:
Signature: Signature:

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