About the job

Job summary

The National Archives has one of the largest collections of historical, government and public records which we collect, secure, preserve and make accessible for the public now and for generations to come.

We are currently looking for a HR administrator to join our busy HR operations team. Applicants should have an interest or previous experience in HR and have a solutions focused approach to work.

As the first point of contact for advice, payroll and HR administration you will provide exceptional support for our people. You will have good attention to detail and be able to prioritise your work proactively, hitting deadlines. You will be a clear communicator as well as being a team player.

This is a fantastic opportunity if you have solid administrative experience with possible exposure to HR processes, or if you’re looking to start your career in HR.

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site, just 10 minutes’ walk from Kew Gardens station.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

You can expect an excellent range of benefits including a Civil Service pension, wellbeing resources including an on-site gym and a range of discounts and subsidies.

We would particularly like to encourage applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in archives, including those who identify as Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT+), from Black, Asian and minority ethnic cultural backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent, and those with hidden or visible disabilities.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).

Person specification

How to apply:

If you are an internal applicant: please do not use the link on this page. Please apply via your employee Workday account.

If you are an external applicant: to submit your application please click the 'Apply at advertiser's site' button on this page. 

You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria given below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section.

Essential criteria:

• Previous experience working in Human Resources or similar administrative environment.
• Demonstrable ability to interpret information and make decisions using sound judgement.
• Evidence of a high standard of communication, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate with all levels of staff, including managers, to explain complex information.
• Experience of working to tight deadlines and the ability to work well under pressure, with little supervision, using own initiative to prioritise appropriately and pro-actively.
• Solutions-focused approach to workload and issues associated with it, coupled with demonstrable team working skills and flexibility in approach to work.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrable understanding of impact and importance of quality standards and timescales on others.
• Excellent level of IT proficiency, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Desirable criteria:

• A relevant CIPD qualification
• Awareness of the broader impact of potentially sensitive information and the ability to deal with it appropriately and responsibly.
• Experience of HR systems, ideally Workday

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,000, The National Archives contributes £7,290 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

Reasonable adjustments:

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.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• 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.