The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings Limited is a leading private holding company whose investments span the entire tea value chain. With a legacy of excellence in managing and promoting the smallholder tea sector, KTDA continues to foster innovation, sustainability, and stakeholder satisfaction across its numerous subsidiaries. As a Group, KTDA is committed to nurturing a harmonious and productive work environment that values professionalism, integrity, and continuous improvement.
To further support this mission, KTDA Holdings is seeking to recruit a highly experienced and strategic professional for the position of Head of Employee Relations and Welfare. This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Group General Manager, Human Resources & Administration. The selected candidate will play a central role in shaping and delivering employee relations strategies that ensure industrial harmony, legal compliance, and employee well-being across the KTDA Group.
This is a unique opportunity for a qualified and driven HR professional to join a dynamic organization and make a meaningful impact on the workplace culture and employee engagement in one of Kenya’s most iconic and far-reaching organizations.
About the Role
Position: Head of Employee Relations and Welfare
Location: KTDA Holdings Headquarters, Nairobi
Reporting To: Group General Manager – Human Resources & Administration
Application Deadline: 1st August 2025
Application Mode: Online through the KTDA Recruitment Portal
The Head of Employee Relations and Welfare will be responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and management of KTDA Group’s employee relations strategies. This includes overseeing staff grievance and disciplinary processes, fostering productive labor-management relations, ensuring compliance with labor laws and HR standards, managing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), and promoting employee welfare and wellness initiatives.
The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and line managers across the KTDA Group, helping them navigate complex industrial relations matters while advancing the organization’s culture of fairness, performance, and staff engagement.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The responsibilities for the position of Head of Employee Relations and Welfare are broad and require strategic oversight, tactical implementation, and strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. These include but are not limited to the following:
1. Industrial Relations and Legal Compliance
- Developing and maintaining effective communication strategies to sensitize staff and managers on industrial relations matters across all subsidiaries.
- Managing the negotiation, implementation, and review of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with trade unions representing employees within the KTDA Group.
- Interpreting and ensuring compliance with all relevant national labor laws, including regular updates of the Group’s HR policies and procedures to align with regulatory changes.
- Ensuring that the KTDA Group complies with trade partners’ certification requirements related to human resources and industrial practices.
2. Disciplinary and Grievance Management
- Developing and implementing fair and transparent disciplinary and grievance handling frameworks that reflect legal and ethical standards.
- Leading the investigation and resolution of employee grievances and disciplinary matters in collaboration with relevant departmental and legal teams.
- Managing trade disputes, including preparation for and representation in court proceedings, industrial tribunals, or conciliation processes.
3. Workplace Harmony and Engagement
- Identifying and facilitating shared objectives between staff and management, promoting dialogue, trust, and collective engagement.
- Championing employee engagement initiatives to ensure a productive and inclusive working environment.
- Fostering positive working relationships with trade unions, employee representatives, and labor-related stakeholders.
4. Employee Welfare and Well-being
- Coordinating the implementation of employee welfare programs, including health and wellness initiatives, counseling services, staff recognition schemes, and recreation activities.
- Developing and maintaining systems for recognizing and rewarding high-performing staff and teams in alignment with business objectives and organizational values.
- Recommending staff for internal counseling or referring them to external professionals where necessary.
5. HR Strategy and Policy Implementation
- Supporting the Group HR strategy by contributing employee relations inputs that reflect the needs of different departments and business units.
- Executing departmental strategies and work plans that align with the KTDA Group’s overall HR and corporate strategy.
- Providing advisory services to managers and employees regarding the application of HR policies, procedures, and practices.
6. Risk Management and Governance
- Accounting for risks within the department by identifying, documenting, and mitigating compliance issues that may arise from employee relations.
- Instituting internal controls and governance structures to ensure adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Ensuring that the documentation of employee relations processes is properly maintained and regularly audited.
7. Departmental Management and Staff Oversight
- Developing departmental work plans and budgets in collaboration with senior leadership, and overseeing their execution.
- Managing performance, training needs, and career development plans for staff within the Employee Relations and Welfare Department.
- Mentoring, coaching, and supervising staff to maintain high standards of service delivery and team cohesion.
- Overseeing the procurement of goods and services required for department operations, ensuring value for money and timely service delivery.
8. Reporting and Documentation
- Preparing comprehensive reports on employee relations trends, grievance statistics, labor relations issues, and welfare program impact.
- Submitting timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the Group General Manager – Human Resources & Administration, as well as participating in cross-departmental briefings and audits.
Required Skills and Experience
To be considered for the position of Head of Employee Relations and Welfare, the candidate must demonstrate the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- A Higher National Diploma in Human Resource Management.
- Minimum of ten (10) years’ progressive working experience, with at least five (5) years in a senior role in industrial relations within a comparable institution.
- A Master’s Degree in a business-related discipline is an added advantage.
- Certified membership with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) and a practicing certificate.
- Proven understanding of Kenyan labor laws, the Employment Act, and labor relations jurisprudence.
- Demonstrated experience in collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and employee engagement.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Ability to design and manage departmental budgets, processes, and strategic projects.
- Adept at handling multiple priorities and deadlines under high-pressure environments.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other HR Information Systems (HRIS).
Why Join KTDA Holdings?
At KTDA, you will be part of a reputable, stable, and forward-looking organization with a proud legacy in agricultural development and corporate management. The Group offers a supportive environment for career growth, leadership development, and meaningful contribution to the welfare of employees and the tea industry in Kenya.
KTDA is committed to nurturing talent, promoting diversity and inclusion, and providing equal opportunities for all qualified applicants. The role of Head of Employee Relations and Welfare offers not only an opportunity to lead transformative workplace strategies but also to shape the future of labor relations in one of Kenya’s most prominent corporate organizations.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply online through the KTDA Recruitment Portal on or before 1st August 2025.
Please ensure that your application includes an up-to-date CV and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and motivation for the role. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Note: Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
KTDA Holdings Limited is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.
For any further inquiries or clarifications regarding the application process, candidates may refer to the KTDA career page.
