About this role
Job summary
We are looking for applications from HR Professionals to join our team on a fixed term contract or secondment for 26.5 hours per week. You will be able to confidently provide expert support and guidance to employee relations processes within the Trust, supporting managers, staff and colleagues to deliver timely, just and compliant resolutions of cases. We work within a restorative, just and learning culture, across all our HR practices and processes.We are innovative and embrace change and are in the process of introducing an HR solution called EVA to improve the service we provide to stakeholders and colleagues within the Trust. We routinely capture data and you will be expected to analyse and identify trends and work with the Business Partner team to identify solutions. We are looking for a candidate who has experience of working within a unionised, high-volume environment managing a complex ER caseload. Experience of working within the NHS would be an advantage although not essential.
This role is working in between all sites including Peterborough City Hospital with the requirement to travel to our sites including Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Stamford Hospital. We operate a hybrid working arrangement and provide cover on all sites on a rotational basis.
The vacancy is fixed term or secondment until January 2027 for 26.5 hours per week, and we welcome discussions at interview about how these hours can be worked across the week.
Informal conversations are welcomed.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a candidate who will provide professional HR advice and guidance to stakeholders on a wide range of employee relations issues, supporting managers to manage issues fairly, consistently and in line with Trust policy and employment legislation. You will support organisational change activity and to contribute to workforce initiatives. Our team supports line managers and develops their capability through coaching, guidance and delivering of training. We ensure that our practice is consistent, reflective and focused on learning and improvement.
About us
At North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust we are committed to supporting our staff to be the best they can be and creating a positive working environment where colleagues feel valued and empowered. We care for local people in North Cambridgeshire, South Lincolnshire and beyond.
We operate three busy hospital sites, Peterborough City Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Stamford and Rutland Hospital. Together these serve approximately 80,0000 residents, we have 8,100 members of staff and an army of 556 volunteers who support us. Patient care is at the centre of every decision, and our Trust values reflect this;
We are caring and compassionate
We put patients first
We seek to improve and develop
We are actively respectful
We work positively together
This is an exciting time to join Team NWAFT as we continue to invest in major development programmes, digital transformation and workforce development across our hospitals and services. You will benefit from a comprehensive package that includes flexible and agile working opportunities, generous annual leave, the NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, reward and recognition schemes and a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
Job description Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To offer advice to managers and staff on the interpretation and application of terms and conditions of service and contractual issues, policies and best practice, ensuring accurate and consistent interpretation and application, where there may be a range of options.
2. To provide expert professional advice and support to managers in dealing with employee relations issues providing guidance in casework involving discipline, capability, grievance, and the management of sickness absence ensuring that practice complies with Trust policies and procedures, are fairly and consistently applied, and that good practice is maintained.
3. To coach staff and managers in Human Resources issues where appropriate, ensuring that all advice is accurate and compliant with Trust policies, the law and good practice, and to support the L&OD team, where relevant, in the creation and quality assurance of relevant training content.
4. To provide administrative and analytical support to preparation work for employment tribunals and relevant legal disputes.
5.Provide employment relations advice on disciplinary and grievance processes and work alongside Investigating Officers to ensure investigations are carried out in a fair and timely manner
6. To support the management of change within the organisation, including involvement in the handling and co-ordination of redeployment matters, consultation with staff and trade union representatives, counselling and assisting with redeployment initiatives, ensuring that change is implemented smoothly.
7. To undertake project work, ensuring that the aims and objectives and high standards are met and that the Trust makes effective use of its resources.
8.To participate, as required, in the design and delivery of training and development events for managers and staff on People policies and procedures.
9. To have the ability to build credibility with managers and staff using effective interpersonal skills
10. To be able to communicate HR protocols and procedures to managers in a manner that enhances the HR function
11. To be proactive and use your initiative effectively and demonstrate a positive and logical approach to problem solving
12. Any other duties, which fall within the general scope of the job description and band.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
CIPD level 5 or above or equivalent qualification or experience
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Demonstrates sound and up to date knowledge of UK employment law Understands the importance of confidentiality, data protection and information governance Good understanding of HR best practice Able to use HR databases and information systems Good analytical skills with the ability to provide excellent management information as required Proficient in the use of IT packages including Microsoft Office suite Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including verbal reasoning, presentation skills, influencing & persuasion skills. Able to analyse, review and write complex case reports Demonstrates the abilities necessary to develop strong working relationships, be an effective team member as well as the ability to work on own initiative Good organisation skills and planning skills Evidence of using initiative and "thinking outside the box
Desirable
Good working knowledge of NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions of employment Knowledge of the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) System
Experience Essential
Previous experience of working in a HR Advisory role Experience of advising managers on how to deal with the full range of complex employee relations, e.g. grievance, sickness, performance management, disciplinary, flexible working requests etc. Demonstrable experience of managing a large ER caseload in a pressurised environment Previous experience of interpreting terms and conditions of employment Experience of the design, delivery and presentation of HR training programmes for managers Experience of communicating and providing advice effectively to colleagues and managers at all levels
Desirable
Relevant Sector Experience Previous experience of policy review, development and implementation Experience of advising managers on organisational change issues
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Address Peterborough City Hospital
Bretton Gate
Peterborough
PE3 9GZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)