Hr & Operations Manager

A Unique Opportunity to Lead HR and Make a Difference!

Are you a seasoned HR professional seeking a role that is more than just a job? Look no further! Earthwatch Europe is on the lookout for an exceptional Human Resources Manager to play a pivotal role in fostering a world where we live in harmony with nature.

Why Earthwatch Europe? At Earthwatch Europe, we’re not just an organisation; we’re a movement driven by people, powered by science, and deeply connected to nature. As the HR Manager, you will be at the forefront of our mission, working alongside a dedicated team to protect the natural world and build meaningful connections within communities. Our commitment to flexibility, remote working, and a healthy work-life balance ensures that you thrive both professionally and personally.

The Opportunity: Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and Operations, this hands-on role offers a unique blend of strategic and transactional HR activities. As the HR Manager, you will be the driving force behind crucial HR functions, including recruitment, employee engagement, payroll and learning and development.

Earthwatch is an environmental charity with science at its heart. Our vision is for a world where we live in balance with nature. We connect people with nature, motivate them to protect the environment and provide them with the knowledge and tools to make change happen.

OUR VALUES

We are driven by people

We always show humanity in our bid to save humanity. As colleagues, we treat each other with genuine warmth and respect. In a polarised world, we’re proud to build a friendly movement of local groups, schools, scientists and businesses. Everyone’s voice is welcome and valued.

We are powered by science 

Powered by science, it’s science that makes us powerful. We champion findings collected by people at the grassroots to spark change in our neighbourhoods and at the highest levels of government. We’re committed to debate, openness, honesty, listening and always learning. 

We connect with nature

Disconnection from nature is at the heart of ecological crisis. Connection is a driving force for change. So let’s get our boots – and our hearts – muddy.  With smiles on our faces, we inspire people to get out into nature, have fun, discover what we all stand to lose, and take action. 

We fight for our planet

The environmental crisis is relentless. We, too, never give up. Each day we fight for our fragile earth, not through protest, but practical science. From planting tiny forests to protecting the world’s freshwater habitats, our evidence-based solutions are the seeds of our planet’s survival.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Provide generalist HR advice, guidance and support on HR policies and procedures
• Guide and support managers with staff management and employee relations, ensuring that processes are handled correctly and supportively
• Develop and regularly update HR policies and procedures in accordance with employment legislation, best practice and business needs; keeping up to date with key HR developments and legislative changes
• Line manage, support and develop the HR Administrator
• Work with the Director of Finance and Operations, and the wider organisation to identify training and development needs and priorities to inform an employee development plan that meets the needs of the organisation
• Develop and deliver in-house training sessions and arrange training with external providers where appropriate
• Manage end-to-end recruitment and induction processes
• Ensure that all employee terms and conditions are recorded, processed and administered correctly – throughout full employee lifecycle
• Maintain accurate and up to date HR records and filing systems, including ownership of the HRIS, optimising its capabilities and utilising data to inform decision
• Lead on employee Wellbeing, driving ongoing initiatives to maintain a supportive and healthy work environment and culture for our employees
• Contribute to our EDI working group, and lead on any HR related initiatives
• Liaise with our payroll supplier, ADP, to ensure accurate and timely preparation and processing of monthly payroll for our UK and Dutch employees
• Manage relationships with key external providers for the HR function both in the UK and Netherlands (including HR and payroll, training providers, Pension and other benefit providers and systems)
• Effectively manage the HR budget
• Review general salary levels and remuneration packages as part of our annual pay review process and individual employees and roles throughout the year where appropriate
• Contribute to effective and impactful internal communications
• Ensure that all relevant safety and compliance requirements are met and recorded for all our staff
• Support internal and external audit exercises as required
• Contribute to the organisation’s future direction and success, bringing strategic HR views and identifying and promoting opportunities for change and continuous improvement. Taking the lead on assigned HR projects 

The above list of job deliverables is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Education & Experience

• Degree level education and/ CIPD qualified (min level 5) or equivalent occupational experience
• Good level of experience across full range of HR functions, including payroll
• Experience of operating at a senior level in a generalist HR role
• Used to working closely with Managers at all levels on all HR matters
• Experience of effectively managing grievance and disciplinary processes
• Experience of managing change processes eg. Restructure/redundancies
• Experience supporting employees and line managers through instances of ill health
• Line management experience, including performance management and staff development
• Experience of proactively reviewing, developing and implementing systems and processes to improve the efficiency of a team, function and service
• Experience of effectively gathering and analysing HR data to inform decisions and priorities.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge and experience of commercial contract structures and terms
• A high-level understanding of the environmental sector and sustainability, and / or government priorities (incl Provincies, Gemeenten and Waterwachappen)

Desirable

• Experience developing and delivering HR function outside the UK (specifically in the Netherlands)
• International employment law experience
• Experience of working within an NGO
• Experience of managing and supporting remote-based employees

Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences. We welcome and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we will consider all applications fairly and consistently.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment – a place where individuality is embraced and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We value the benefits that different backgrounds, working approaches and ways of thinking can bring.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they feel they don’t meet all the essential criteria. We understand that what we think we need could be limiting those that have skills, experience and behaviours that we have not considered relevant or transferrable. So, if you can do most of what we’re looking for, or believe you have suitable experience that we don’t know about, please still apply and let us know what you could bring to the role in your covering letter.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis so please do not wait until the deadline to submit yours.