Mohamed Farhan Refai
Eastwood
Summary
With over 21 years of experience in HR, I have worked at reputable organizations such as Domayne Services Pty Ltd in Australia, Commercial Bank PLC, and Amana Bank PLC in Sri Lanka. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive knowledge in HR management and successfully led cross-functional projects in the field. My expertise includes HR strategy development, talent attraction and development, career management, and rewards and benefits management. I also have a strong background in business partnering and handling complex HR issues. Succession planning, managing young teams, and innovating HR practices are areas where I excel. I am skilled in negotiating win-win compromises, developing team-building programs, and creating impactful personnel manuals, corporate policies, job descriptions, and management reports.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Generalist
DOMAYNE SERVICES PTY LTD
Australia
05.2024 - Current
- Joined Domayne Services, a Cleaning and restoration services company in the capacity of HR Generalist in May2024
- Reporting to the MD/ Proprietor and Overseeing the entire HR function of the company since date of joined
- Duties and responsibilities:
- Identifying future hiring needs and developing job descriptions and specifications
- Collaborating with Managers to compile a consistent list of requirements
- Attracting suitable candidates through databases, online employment forums, social media, etc
- Conducting interviews and sorting through applicants to fill open positions
- Assist with the resolution of employee relations issues, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievances and promote a fair and inclusive workplace
- Drive initiatives that enhance team member engagement, including the rollout of the engagement survey and action plan
- Develop and implement programs that foster a positive and collaborative work environment
- Manage employee data and records, always ensuring accuracy and confidentiality
- Offer guidance to managers and staff on people-related matters and HR policies
- Support the delivery of training and development programs
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, workplace policies, and best practices
- Manage employee onboarding, offboarding, and help drive initiatives aimed at enhancing employee wellbeing and organizational culture
- Partner with managers to enhance their leadership capabilities and manage any performance and employee relations issues if they arise
- Oversee the development planning and performance feedback cycle to support employee growth and development
- Manage the HR inbox and HRIS, ensuring smooth employee movement processes and handling employee and manager inquiries
Head of Human Resources (Asst Vice President – HR)
AMANA BANK PLC
Sri Lanka
08.2013 - 10.2023
- Joined Amana Bank in the capacity of Senior Executive in2013
- Ascended to the grade “Head of Human Resources” within a short span of5 years
- Overseeing the entire HR function of the Bank since July2015
- Selected Accomplishments:
- Drove proper compliance and administration of HR policies, procedures, handbook, investigations, and employee relations programs aligning with organizational goals
- Introduced the KPI based Performance Management System and the first formal performance review program, creating a flexible and well-received tool that was later adopted Bank-wide
- As a result of this the Bank embraced a performance driven culture which facilitated towards achieving profits turn around in2015 and continuing to increase profits there onwards
- Critically evaluated each job role and all divisions within the Bank
- Restructured the reporting lines and job roles to optimize the Bank’s manpower
- A redeployment pool was introduced where employees were added from Divisions where there was excess manpower
- Assigned employees from redeployment pool to various other Divisions/ Departments who had manpower shortages to optimize human capital
- Automation of the entire transactional work processes of HR through introducing an HRIS
- As a result of this a considerable workload has been simplified while increasing the efficiency and the speed of delivery
- Proven track record of developing a learning strategy in line with business strategy
- Developed and implemented a blended approach which integrates different learning modes, such as coaching, classroom, online learning and action learning
- Designed and introduced leadership development programs at all levels
- Integrated learning strategy and tactics with other talent management practices (e.g., succession planning, career planning)
- Headed HR shift from paper-based documentation to digital, saving time and money
- Boosted employee retention, especially targeting the high potential/ performing employees and facilitated continued business growth with minimal risk
- Designed and implemented “HIPO” (High Potential Employees) program and effectively managed to foster employee engagement and career progression aspirations
- Won the “Can Do” icon award at Awards Day in2016 at Amana Bank in recognition of various HR related projects which resulted in creating a significant impact to the Bank
- Received commendation from Board level and very good performance ratings throughout the career
Assistant Manager
COMMERCIAL BANK OF CEYLON PLC
Sri Lanka
09.2003 - 08.2013
- Joined Commercial Bank – HR Department in2003 as Banking Trainee
- Promoted as Junior Executive Assistant in2006 and then as Junior Executive Officer in2007
- Spent9 years at HR in various grades performing duties related to HRIS, Compensation & Benefits, Performance Management and Employee Relations
- At the latter stages in my career at Commercial Bank I was given an assignment as Acting Branch Assistant Manager in2012
- Selected Accomplishments:
- Devised creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs that increased employee satisfaction and productivity
- Performed an industry level salary/ benefits survey together with Hewitt Associates to standardize employee benefits scheme
- Involved in collective bargaining/ agreements with the Ceylon Bank Employees Union
- Was instrumental in developing the HRIS, Intranet and the computer based online performance management system
- Automated many manual works related to HR via HRIS
- Earned commendations from client executives for communication deliverables that targeted desired audiences and articulated the value of products and services
Education
Introductory award - training skills
CITY & GUILDS
Master’s Degree - Business Management
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
01.2015
Professional Qualification - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
01.2011
Certificate - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
01.2008
Certificate - Banking & Finance
INSTITUTE OF BANKERS OF SRI LANKA
01.2007
Skills
- HR Business partnering
- Advising the Board and Management pertaining to employment Law
- HR Policies and procedures
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Employee engagement
- Change Management
- Succession Plans for key positions
- Compensation & benefits
- Training & development
- Performance management
- Organizational development
- Dispute resolution, discipline & grievance handling
- Reward strategies & flexible benefits
Languages
English
Full Professional
Sinhala
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
HR Generalist
DOMAYNE SERVICES PTY LTD
05.2024 - Current
Head of Human Resources (Asst Vice President – HR)
AMANA BANK PLC
08.2013 - 10.2023
Assistant Manager
COMMERCIAL BANK OF CEYLON PLC
09.2003 - 08.2013
Introductory award - training skills
CITY & GUILDS
Master’s Degree - Business Management
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
Professional Qualification - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Certificate - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Certificate - Banking & Finance
INSTITUTE OF BANKERS OF SRI LANKA