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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,063 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.