Senior HR Assistant
Forestry Commission - Forest Research
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 17th November 2024
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Location
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
About the job
Job summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
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 planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk
As a member of the small, friendly HR Services team you would work alongside other Senior HR Assistants and other colleagues in the Corporate functions. You will be predominantly responsible for providing support and HR transactional services to around 400 colleagues across FR’s business and locations, while also supporting national HR projects and initiatives.
Job description
Senior HR Assistants support the business by providing advice and transactional administration on a wide range of functions including recruitment, contract changes and payroll administration. You’ll be providing HR administrative services as part of a multi-functional support team to managers and staff across FR, predominantly at the main sites of Alice Holt in England and Roslin in Edinburgh, responding to initial queries/requests as a first point of contact on HR administration and HR policy matters.
Advice and Guidance
• Respond promptly and professionally to enquiries from managers and colleagues by providing general HR advice utilising relevant policies, procedures or other information
• Work closely with HR Business Partners & colleagues in the HR Services team when the level of advice required is of a more complex nature
• Build a network of key stakeholders, such as Centre administrators and line managers
HR Administration and Transactional Processes
Working with HR Business Partners and Senior HR Assistants, provide administrative support for defined Employee Life Cycle processes, taking responsibility for all HR administrative processes and actions in that area of work, which include:
• Administration of staff changes (e.g. promotions, secondments, maternity or parental leave, sickness etc,) including the production and issuing of revised contracts and terms and conditions of employment
• Undertake support administration relating to Occupational Health referrals for new starters
• Accurately process payroll changes into the CGI payroll system, and assist with payroll input checking prior to the monthly pay runs
• Provide support for recruitment processes, including use of the Civil Service Jobs application system and liaison with recruiting managers, undertake Pre-Employment and Right to Work checks
• Preparation and issuing of employment offer letters and production of contracts of employment
• Respond efficiently to miscellaneous information requests within GDPR guidelines e.g. Employment references, mortgage applications etc
Data Management
• Ensuring all contract changes and starters/leavers etc are processed within the Unit 4/ Business World ERP system with accuracy and are easily auditable
• Produce BW and payroll information/data for reports to support business processes as necessary
• Managing sensitive information securely, such as pay, occupational health and diversity records
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
• Experience of working in a customer-focused HR environment
• Experience and knowledge of IT systems, including e-mail, MS Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet and Intranet
• Experience of using computerised HR and payroll systems
• Experience of a wide range of administrative tasks, and the ability to plan and produce work accurately and effectively by using strong organisational skills
• Experience of working collaboratively in a multi-functional team environment to achieve results
• Able to build effective working relationships across multiple business areas
Desirable Criteria:
• Experience of managing HR transactional changes accurately and effectively. This includes calculating statutory maternity leave, sick pay and annual leave, making contractual changes and preparing associated letters for all changes
• Experience of using the CGI/Payroll system
• Experience of using the Unit 4/ Business World system
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
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
- access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings 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 of 28.97% 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 19 November 2024
Interviews are planned to take place 27-29 November 2024
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Managing a Quality Service . However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed at the interview stage.
We require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. We will consider any proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other means.
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.
Visa Sponsorship
FR holds a licence to sponsor Skilled Workers under the Home Office points-based immigration system. Candidates wishing to apply should note that the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship would depend on an assessment of this role against defined criteria, which include:
o Whether the Job role has been identified as being a Critical Role in FR, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan, and / or
o Whether the Job role is a known Capability gap, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan for the relevant Centre, and
o Evidence of significant recruitment challenges in filling the Job role previously
Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available, subject to an application and assessment process and the Home Office points-based system.
For further details, please refer to the Sponsorship for Skilled Workers – guidance for applicants and managers on our website.
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 : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Further information
