Human Resources Officer

Important dates

Application window closes: Monday 6th January 2025 at 9am.
Interview date(s): Tuesday 21st and Thursday 30th January 2025.

Hours

Full time and part time available. Harmless operates a 4-day working model with full-time staff working 32 hours per week.

Salary

£24,030 per annum, pro rata, rising to £26,019 per annum, pro rata, on successful completion of a probationary period.

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job

• The Human Resources Officer will report to the HR Lead and is responsible for HR related matters, procedures, and practices within Harmless CIC.
• Support the implementation of HR initiatives and projects, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and values.
• Provide HR support, advice, information, and guidance to all managers across Harmless CIC, to help inform their decisions and empower them in their roles.
• Support all managers with employee relations matters including performance management, disciplinaries, grievances, dismissals, and contractual issues within the organisation.
• This is an exciting opportunity for the right person to join a passionate, life-saving organisation, which is keen to grow and further support the communities we serve.

Position in the Organisation: Officer level

Reports to: HR Lead (SLT)

Duties and Key Responsibilities

HR Specialist

• Direct managers and employees to appropriate guidance channels and act as a point of escalation for key HR matters or issues that arise.
• Act as a point of contact for all employees and consult with line managers.
• Work closely with management and employees to improve working relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all staff to achieve high levels of trust, respect, and professionalism.
• Promote and encourage positive employee experiences, culture, and engagement.
• Ensure regulatory compliance e.g. Right to work, verification of documents.
• Ensure the delivery of core HR services.
• Support with recruitment and onboarding activities, including posting job advertisements, screening applications, and coordinating inductions.
• Support with offboarding activities, including exit interviews and coordinating handover meetings.

Line Management and Supervision

• Provide consistent HR support to designated staff across teams and departments.
• Establish clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and support professional development.
• Conduct performance management processes, including setting objectives, conducting appraisals, and addressing performance issues in collaboration with service managers.
• Work closely with service managers to identify and address service-specific performance concerns, ensuring effective performance management and support for staff.

HR Implementation and Equitability

• Champion equitable practices in all HR-related activities, including recruitment, performance management, and employee relations, fostering a fair and inclusive work environment.
• Contribute to the development and review of HR policies and procedures, promoting best practices and compliance.
• Assist with the administration of HR systems and processes, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.

Workforce Welfare

• Support the HR Lead in upholding and implementing the organisation's welfare strategies, particularly those focused on specialist and specialized workforce needs.
• Contribute to the development of research and welfare strategies in this specialized field, ensuring alignment with best practices and evidence-based approaches.

Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the HR Lead, including managing correspondence, scheduling meetings, and maintaining records.
• Support the HR Lead in preparing reports, presentations, and other HR-related documents.
• Ensure HR record-keeping systems remain up to date, fit for purpose, and compliant with GDPR regulations.
• Support internal audits to ensure compliance and best practices are upheld.
• Support HR-specific elements of external tenders and bids.

Person Specification

• HR Specialist: Experience of working in a similar role with a bachelor’s degree in human resources or related experience (Essential). Strong knowledge of HR functions and best practices (Essential). CIPD Level 5, or equivalent achievement (Desirable).
• Organisational: An alignment with Harmless CIC values, ethos, and standards, including a proven commitment to continuous improvement (Essential).
• Quality: A track record for upholding the highest HR standards and governance (Essential).
• Resilience: An ability to identify and respond to an ever-changing external environment that puts us in the best possible position to achieve our goals and objectives (Essential).
• Forward Thinking: An ability to identify and maximise opportunities and strengths to the benefit of its stakeholders (Essential).
• Policy: Awareness of organizational, local, and national policy changes to inform HR management policy and practices at Harmless CIC (Desirable).
• Building Relationships: A history of building effective relationships and maintaining key stakeholder engagement up to senior level and policy level (Essential).
• Business Knowledge: A thorough understanding of Harmless CIC including its commitment to the communities it serves (Desirable).
• Specialism: Experience in a similar HR role (Essential) and knowledge of working in an SME setting or the third sector (Desirable).
• People Skills: Collaborative work across the organization to empower, inform, and motivate our workforce (Essential).
• Data and Insights Focus: Ability to use HR data to make informed decisions and measure success in line with organizational priorities (Essential).

Benefits

Harmless CIC values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata, increasing up to 35 days plus bank holidays, pro rata.
• Occupational sick pay up to 30 days per annum.
• Employer pension contribution up to 8%.
• Staff reward and recognition initiatives throughout the year.
• Access to CPD accredited specialist training.
• Access to CPD accredited national self-harm and suicide prevention conferences.
• Outstanding CPD opportunities in self-harm, suicide prevention, and bereavement.

About Us

Harmless is a Community Interest Company with social aims, operating like a charity with a dedication to sustainability. We generate income through our training department, funding vital services. With various pathways and projects like The Tomorrow Project and The Harmless Academy, we are committed to serving our communities.