GLPC Job Description Non-Manager

Job Title Senior Human Resources Adviser

Department Resources Department

Section Human Resources & Organisational Development

Grade PO4

Reports to HR Manager Staffing None Responsibility

Job Purpose:

Professional HR specialist ensuring the provision of an outstanding HR advisory service at all times:

 coaching, advising and supporting line managers in delivering the appropriate responses to a full range of human resources and change assignments  able to manage and be responsible for employee relation case workloads, including being able to conduct complex casework investigations and present at hearings  able to undertake various HR projects that will add value through delivery of business objectives at a departmental or pan council level  participating in the design, development and roll-out of corporate learning and development initiatives as appropriate.

Support the development of a positive employee relations framework within the council

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

1. Provide high quality, professional advisory services to the allocated department on all aspects of Human Resources, to include:

 provision of credible advice to managers on application of the council’s employment practices, pay and conditions of service (local and national), and on the legal and best practice implications of employment issues  supporting and, as appropriate, undertaking casework on a wide range of human resources issues, including discipline, capability, absence, grievance and appeals within the required timescales from inception to conclusion; maintaining a high level of client focus and professionalism throughout the life of a case  challenging managers to address and modernise work practices to reorganise and remodel the workforce, to ensure the service will meet its strategic objectives and legal obligations  building successful partnership working with the trade unions on individual and collective matters  establishing productive and proactive dialogue with employees and their representatives to develop services, facilitate change, resolve conflict and promote a positive working environment  advising managers on specific recruitment and retention initiatives to attract and retain Version 1: January 2015 Page 1 of 5 skilled employees in ‘shortage’ posts  liaison with the Occupational Health provider and Health & Safety on employee health and welfare issues  personal accountability for the successful achievement of HR KPIs

2. Lead on resolving complex ER issues, both individual and collective, and have the ability to influence the management approach. 3. Ensure casework advice logs are filled in accurately and all other casework correspondence and information is correctly documented in a timely manner for further analysis. The production of analytical reports highlighting trends and patterns in casework; and proposing solutions that demonstrate a deep understanding of the business and its challenges to the HR Manager. 4. Closure of casework to include retrospective reviews with learning with the relevant business unit. Casework documentation on closure of the case is to be retained securely in accordance with the council’s retention periods. 5. Participate in the collation of management information including processing the staff survey to inform human resources service developments. Make recommendations for changes to service delivery and development of new initiatives based on trend analysis and experience. 6. Take a lead role in the development of the council’s employment policies and procedures as well as set up a systematic process to review ER policies and practices at regular intervals. Use this process to provide an opportunity to engage key stakeholders in the business in respect of changes in employment law or relevant case law that may have a bearing on the council’s operations. 7. Carry out regular employee relations training needs analysis to identify gaps and develop solutions to build knowledge, capability and understanding of managers around people management to ensure compliance HR policies and procedures i.e. able to lead discussions on employee relations current affairs with groups of line managers, co-ordinate a training plan for the investigator pool, develop a forum for internal mediators to share their learning, ensure the development of a trained administrative network for servicing minutes at investigation meetings/hearings. 8. Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of continuous learning and development strategies to improve the quality of the council’s workforce and to respond to organisational change. 9. A deep understanding of the organisation’s strategic, commercial and political environment in the context of forward business planning to inform and develop the ER framework strategy and initiatives. 10. Keep abreast of Human Resources best practice, legislative changes and new developments to continuously develop and improve knowledge and skills and broaden the understanding of inter-relationships between the range of human resources activities and functions. 11. Work collaboratively on corporate human resources projects as required. 12. Provide employee and industrial relations advice for escalated queries from the AskHR or HR Enquiry Line Service. 13. Identify where there maybe improvements to HR work processes and how the service can be improved. 14. Supporting trade union consultations and negotiations in respect of change management, TUPE acquisitions / disposals, and amendments to terms and conditions of service. 15. Lead and manage council wide multi-disciplinary project teams including supervising individual roles and contributions and co-ordinating outcomes using project management programme tools. 16. Conduct research and produce and submit employment law articles in conjunction with Legal Services for in house communications.

17. Pre-tribunal case preparation as directed by the HR Managers working with ACAS and legal

Version 1: January 2015 Page 2 of 5 representatives. This includes but is not limited to drafting ET3 responses, drafting witness statements, witness liaison, compiling trial bundles in conjunction with Legal Services. 18. The post holder will be required to work flexibly. Provide human resources cover across the council as required. The post holder may be required to work at an alternative location within or outside the Borough, either on a temporary or permanent basis according to business demands. 19. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults. 20. Carry out duties with due regard to the Council’s Customer Care, Equal Opportunities, Information Governance, Data Protection and Health and Safety policies and procedures. 21. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.

DBS Status None Required

Politically Restricted No

Version 1: January 2015 Page 3 of 5 Person Specification

Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience: Specify the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities required.

All criteria are essential

Knowledge and Qualifications:

 Professional member of the CIPD at MCIPD or FCIPD, or equitable demonstrable experience  Evidence of continual professional development as a human resources practitioner.  Knowledge and understanding of key human resources processes such as payroll and pensions, human resources information systems and recruitment.  Excellent knowledge and understanding of human resources best practice in industrial and employee relations coupled with a thorough understanding of the practical application of current and upcoming employment law.  Knowledge of pay related matters including pay reviews, reward strategy and changes to pay related terms & conditions.

Experience:

 Successful experience delivering human resources advice and support to multi-sited service managers across the human resources functions, including interpreting and applying terms and conditions of service and contracts of employment.  Sound experience of managing and bringing to a successful conclusion a high volume of human resources casework including discipline, grievance, capability and harassment  Support managers through managing change programmes.  Experience of providing advice and guidance on TUPE matters and contractual variations.  Experience of attending and managing employee tribunals working with ACAS and legal representatives.

Version 1: January 2015 Page 4 of 5 Skills and Abilities:

 Effective communication, influencing and persuasion skills together with evidence of success in building and forming working relationships, and working flexibly, across professional and operational boundaries in a multi-sited organisation.  Applying pragmatic, simple and effective solutions in the provision of advice and support on complex human resources issues.  Ability to work collaboratively to review, develop and implement effective human resources policies and procedures, ensuring these are communicated and implemented effectively.  Able to demonstrate a proactive, tenacious and robust approach to casework taking full ownership of all assigned work including where required being the lead casework investigator.  Ability to analyse and interpret complex information.  Ability to research topics to prepare briefings / presentations and in-house communications to both HR and non-HR audiences.  Compiling employment law articles with the in-house Legal Services Team.  Excellent written skills - ability to produce appropriate drafts of letters, draft policies / procedures, staff communications and reports.  Demonstrate successful experience promoting and implementing equalities and diversity considerations in all aspects of human resources management and organisation development.  Proficiency in MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and use of a case management system  Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to managing conflicting priorities and a demanding workload.  Ability to lead and manage council wide multi-disciplinary project teams, using project management programme tools.  Successful experience working collaboratively with managers on change management initiatives and projects.

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