Learning & Development Specialist - Talent Development

Purpose of Role

To design, implement, coordinate, and support the delivery of integrated learning solutions, including digital learning, talent management initiatives, and early talent programs at Tharisa, to contribute to the growth, integration, and retention of employees and early talent (e.g. bursars, graduates, interns, apprentices, etc.). The role supports the implementation of development programs and talent processes, including early talent initiatives, digital learning, and succession planning, in alignment with organisational needs and compliance requirements, thereby contributing to operational effectiveness and long-term workforce readiness.

Role Context

Talent Management and Early Talent Development

• Support the implementation of the organisation’s talent pipeline strategy by coordinating early talent development initiatives, overall organisational talent pipeline and succession planning activities to contribute to long-term workforce readiness.
• Manage the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and placement processes for early talent in collaboration with the HR Department, Learning & Development teams and relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate structured onboarding and on-the-job learning by coordinating with line supervisors, mentors, and coaches to ensure early talent integrates effectively into operational environments.
• Oversee the design and implementation of mentorship and coaching programs across Tharisa, including the matching of mentors with learners, training of mentors, and ongoing monitoring to support knowledge transfer and professional growth.
• Monitor and report on early talent development progress using feedback from line management, training institutions, and learners to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Provide ongoing support to early talent participants throughout their learning journey, addressing challenges and supporting completion of program milestones.
• Utilise talent analytics and performance data to identify high-potential individuals, assess skills gaps, and inform targeted development interventions.
• Promote diversity and inclusion by ensuring equal access to development opportunities and supporting a fair and inclusive talent development environment.
• Oversee the accurate maintenance of records, assessments, and documentation for all talent development initiatives to support compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Coordinate and support the succession planning process by identifying critical roles, facilitating talent reviews, maintaining updated succession plans, and driving development actions to strengthen leadership readiness and organisational continuity.
• Drive the performance appraisal process in support of the broader talent management framework, ensuring feedback and development planning are integrated into continuous learning and growth.

Training and Development Programs

• Oversee the coordination and support of training delivery and development initiatives by ensuring interns, apprentices, learners and/or students acquire the skills and competencies as required by Tharisa, to meet the objectives as stipulated by the training and development program.
• Manage the collaboration with HR Department, Learning and Development (L&D) teams, and any other relevant operational teams to identify the organisation's workforce needs and tailor development programs accordingly.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and management of structured training and development programs for interns, apprentices, learners and/or students that align with industry best practices and company goals.
• Review and monitor all training content, materials, and assessments, by conducting regular audits and ensuring they meet specific learning objectives and are suited to the mining context, to ensure compliance with Tharisa standards and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through assessments, surveys and obtaining feedback from both line management and candidates, to make necessary adjustments for continuous improvement and enhance compliance with the Tharisa standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with educational institutions and training providers to ensure alignment between academic curriculum and industry requirements.
• Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and advancements in mining and human resources development to continuously enhance training programs.
• Manage the arrangement and facilitation of training in adherence to the training schedule, to ensure alignment with the overarching Tharisa learning & development strategy, while meeting the expectation of all key stakeholders.
• Oversee the procurement process and logistical arrangements.
• Manage the creation and maintenance of up-to-date datasets of all current and previous learners, including status updates accompanies by dates and report on it accordingly.

Regulatory Compliance

• Liaise with the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) to ensure that learning programs are aligned to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA) standard and requirements, while addressing non-compliance.
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate records of all training and development programs implemented, the attendees and of each individual’s course completion outcomes, to ensure compliance with the requirements as determined by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
• Implement and monitor the maintenance of the internal Quality Management Systems (QMS), to ensure that every time a training or development program is implemented, the same information, methods, skills and controls are used and applied in a consistent manner.

Resource Management

• Prepare early talent budget forecasts for training and development activities.
• Monitor and control the early talent expenditure to ensure alignment with the allocated budget.

Stakeholder Relations

• Engage with all relevant Departments on issues of the area of specialisation.
• Communicate with internal and/or external stakeholders, where required, to achieve work objectives and to maintain relationships.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to address any challenges and/or concerns that may arise during the implementation of training and development programs/initiatives, to correct any shortcomings that have arisen.
• Liaise and communicate with Talent Resourcing department on recruitment process and assist in capturing applications on the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
• Oversee the coordination of open days with local schools and Social Performance department as well as universities.

Management of Change

• Manage and implement organisational change initiatives by providing training and development resources to help employees and learners to adapt to new processes and systems.
• Implement and manage the facilitation of workshops and sessions to build resilience and adaptability among learners.

Digital Learning, Systems and Reporting

• Receive, consolidate and maintain accurate HR data from various entities and prepare regular reports to support management decision-making, ensure compliance and monitor key HR metrics.
• Coordinate and manage HR information systems by ensuring data integrity, facilitating system updates and user access, providing technical support to users, and collaborating with IT and HR teams to optimise system functionality and support HR processes.
• Design, develop, and update engaging HR-related digital learning content by identifying learning needs, defining clear objectives, collaborating with subject matter experts, and utilising instructional design best practices to ensure content is relevant, effective, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Administer the Learning Management System (LMS) by uploading digital learning content, manage user enrolment and access, tracking learner progress and generate reports to monitor training compliance and effectiveness.
• Utilise learning analytics and data insights to evaluate learner engagement, course effectiveness and learning outcomes and provide recommendations for continuous improvement of digital learning strategies.
• Provide support to employees and learners using digital learning platforms by resolving technical issues, offering user guidance, and promoting effective adoption and utilisation of digital tools across the organisation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (NQF7) or equivalent in Human Resources Development/Management

Job-specific experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years relevant experience in Quality Management, Data Management and Talent Management, of which at least three (3) years at a Management / Subject Matter Expert level.
• Experience/Exposure on MS Dynamics F&O, Reporting tools: MS Power BI

Inherent requirements

Must be medically fit

Closing Date: 12 November 2025

Note: Preference will be given to female candidates.