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

We are looking for someone to cover a period of Maternity Leave.

Working as part of our friendly and experienced HR Team of 10 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

As HR Systems Administrator you will provide HR system, process and operational advice and support to our HR Team.  You will act as the main point of contact for managers and staff nationwide on a range of HR system, pay and process issues.  You will be supported by and report to the HR Pay, Pensions, HR Systems & MI Manager.

Key Work Areas include:

HR System & Processes

• First line of support for HR system and reporting queries, investigate issues, suggest and implement solutions, provide data as appropriate
• Maintain data integrity in the HR system, undertake continuous analysis of data, errors, or omissions
• Contribute to the maintenance of accurate HR records
• Provide regular agreed MI and identify development requirements for our HR Metrics reports
• Provide analytical support to the HR team

Payroll System & Processes

• Responsible for ensuring 3rd Party payments are made in a timely manner and meet our statutory obligations; HMRC, Cabinet Office, Pensions etc
• Maintain process documentation
• Support with Internal & External Audits

 General

• Working in partnership with the Pay, Pensions, HR Systems & MI Manager to deliver key HR objectives
• Treat all data appropriately and in line with GDPR regulations
• Build effective working relationships with Forest Research staff

Person specification

This is a varied role so you should be comfortable with managing your own work.

You will have an eye for accuracy and attention to detail.

You will be inquisitive and enjoy a challenge and finding solutions to problems.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of working in an HR or Payroll/Finance role.
• Experience of working with HR/payroll/finance systems.
• Experience of reporting and analysing data.
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office packages including Outlook, Word, and Excel
• HR, Payroll and Excel at an advanced or super user level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,534, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £7,164 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 w/c 08.01.2024
Interviews will take place w/c 15.01.2024

If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.  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.