HR Advisor
Forestry Commission - Forest Research
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 19th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment. With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest Research
FR is seeking a HR Advisor to join our team. The HR Advisor acts as the first point of contact to our managers, providing HR advice and guidance to the business to improve people management capability and deal with casework. This post is to cover a period of Maternity Leave until June 2025.
Working as part of our friendly and experienced HR Team who are based in Alice Holt, Farnham with a small number of the team located remotely. This role can be undertaken from either of our offices outside Farnham, Surrey or Roslin, Midlothian or remotely.
Job description
The post holder will be responsible for delivering general advice and guidance to managers on all day-to-day HR operational matters. It is essential that the successful applicant has strong HR generalist management skills, proven experience in managing HR casework and employee relations and can provide sound advice on policy matters associated with the full HR lifecycle. You will work collaboratively with your peers and HR Business Partners to provide outstanding support to the organisation.
Relationship Management
Establish, maintain, and nurture relationships with the wider HR Team and Operational teams across the FR business to ensure successful delivery of all HR services and operational matters.
HR Management
The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate a 'hands-on' approach to HR management and will contribute to the successful delivery of the full HR life cycle through taking personal responsibility for their areas of work. For example, oversight of the probation process, providing policy and procedural advice, supporting or leading employee relations cases to support the case management of long-term sickness absence cases, performance issues, disciplinary and dispute resolution.
Key Work Areas:
- Advising on contractual terms and conditions of employment
- Advising on issues related to workplace relations and performance management issues.
- Providing advice, coaching support and assistance on policies, procedures, and legislation
- Undertaking job evaluation analysis and reviews for new and existing posts
- Undertaking exit interviews as required
- Overseeing the probation process and advising managers as appropriate
- Advising and coaching the HR assistants on more complex HR life cycle matters, policy, and procedures
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Demonstrate studying for CIPD level 5/7 Membership or qualification, or equivalent work experience and professional development.
- Employee relations expertise including up to date knowledge of employment legislation.
- HR systems and process knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of the application of employment policies and practices, including compliance requirements for HR
- Highly developed managerial skills and effective and persuasive communication skills.
- HR service management expertise including familiarity with the structures, processes and tasks undertaken across an Operational HR service.
- Ability to quickly build and maintain key relationships with a diverse and complex range of stakeholders, supporting colleagues through change whilst delivering under pressure.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience of job evaluation, ideally JEGs trained.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Your career
- Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
- Office locations within forest or science park settings
Your work/life balance
- Flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
- A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
Your wellbeing
- A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
- Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
Your benefits
- A highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions starting at 26% of your salary
- An employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
- Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
- Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
- With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Sift will take place on 21st May 2024
Interviews are planned to take place on 28th/29th May 2024
If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Communicating and Influencing. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
- Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Caroline.Swift@forestresearch.gov.uk
Further information
