Hr & Training Adviser

We are looking for someone to join us to support our HR & Training Team working across  all aspects of HR and Training giving advice and support to managers and colleagues and helping us to build resilience within the organisation on HR and Training matters.  

As a small team, we all chip in so there is a requirement to be competent in dealing with any elements of HR and Training administration. You will be a team player capable of constructive debate and discussion with colleagues in our friendly and supportive team and in developing and providing solutions to any challenges that present themselves. 

Initially you will be supporting several critical areas of the business. The successful candidate will be expected to be proactive in facilitating our monthly payroll (and pensions) processing requirements, dealing with any queries that may arise and ensuring a smooth and accurate monthly payroll. Following appropriate training you will also help to develop and create new and innovative modules on our Learning Management System to support our learning strategy.  

Whilst a full-time 36 hour per week position, applications will be considered for those with appropriate experience who want to work a little less than full-time. The job will be based at our London Office - which is currently in Leman Street, near Aldgate East and Tower Hill/Tower Gateway stations. Along with our other staff, you will be expected to spend 60% of your available time in our office environment and the rest working from home. Initially, during your induction and your six-month probation period we may expect you to attend the office a little more frequently whilst you get fully trained and develop your knowledge and expertise on our VTS systems and processes.  

To be successful in your application, you should be able to demonstrate attainment of an appropriate CIPD qualification (CIPD level 5 or its equivalent) but it is vitally important that you also have the appropriate knowledge and workplace experience of dealing with generic HR matters but particularly significant experience of payroll and pensions processing. We view this as an important professional role capable of advising and business partnering managers and colleagues on all HR & Training matters.  

In return, we offer a competitive salary with the full-time equivalent salary ranging from £37,107 to £42,306. The pro-rata equivalent salary for less than full-time will be dependent upon the hours you work. Salary progression is dependent upon successful performance and your qualification level. We offer membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and 26 days annual leave (rising up to 31 on length of service), plus two employer determined non-statutory days (usually at Christmas/New Year). As the leave year starts from 1 April all leave will be pro-rationed for part-time workers and your leave entitlement as a full-timer will also be dependent upon when you start during the leave year. To apply you will need to provide us with a personal statement telling us how you meet the criteria for the job as detailed in our job description, person specification and this advert. You should also provide an up-to-date CV which details current salary and notice period if you are currently in work. Please also complete our Diversity Monitoring Form and in your e-mail tell us where you saw the role advertised. Send your completed CV, personal statement and Diversity Monitoring Form to recruitment@valuationtribunal.gov.uk. 

The closing date for received applications is 23:55 on 23 July 2024. Interviews/assessments are likely to take place during the 2nd or 3rd week of August. 

For further information, please contact us at the same recruitment e-mail address indicated above. These details are also online at https://www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk – please look under “Vacancies” at the bottom of the page. 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

POST: HR and Training Adviser (office-based)  

REPORTS TO: Head of HR & Training – with dotted line reporting on functional issues/projects to the Principal HR Adviser and the Training Manager (as appropriate).  

GRADE: SCP 24-30 on London payscale.  The full-time equivalent salary ranges from £37,107 to £42,306 as at April 2024. Any pro-rata equivalent salary will be dependent upon the hours you will work. Progression within the grade is dependent upon successful performance and your qualification level. Progress beyond scp 28 (£40,731 Full-time equivalent salary) is dependent upon having attained full CIPD level 5 qualification. 

RESPONSIBLE FOR: N/A, other than providing guidance to less experienced and administrative members of staff 

CONTACTS 

Internally  - All staff within the Valuation Tribunal Service; Chief Executive; VTS Board; Directors; Managers; President of the Valuation Tribunal for England (VTE).  

Externally  - Occupational Health Providers, LPFA/LPP Pension Administrator, Judicial Pension Scheme, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) (sponsoring department), other government departments and agencies, employment agencies, Consultants, Trade Unions, Health and Safety consultants, outsourced payroll provider, other suppliers – such as HR System supplier. 

Date of latest JD review:  August 2023; updated May 2024 

PURPOSE OF JOB 

To support the Head of HR & Training in the professional delivery of high-quality HR and Training services and to provide support and guidance to managers on HR-related matters to assist organisational decision-making.  

Under the guidance of the Head of HR & Training, work with senior management including the Chief Executive, Directors and operational managers, in providing pragmatic and business focused HR solutions and recommendations. 

To build and develop relationships with managers and staff at all levels to provide support and guidance on a range of HR and Training matters and share best practice. 

To provide the full range of HR and Training activities and duties as exemplified within the section “Main Responsibilities” of the Job” (below).  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Advise managers and staff on employment issues to ensure that employment relationships and organisational needs operate smoothly and effectively.  

Carry out HR professional activities to facilitate the VTS providing its main functions and services efficiently through its main resource; its employees. Assist with HR administrative activities as needs dictate. 

Carry out all necessary administration associated with the work of a small, generic HR and Training team in delivering a successful HR and Training service. To focus from day one on accurate and timely monthly payroll, associated pensions administration and the provision of HR advice and support to managers and employees. 

Support the Head of HR and Training - and as required, the Principal HR Adviser in the delivery of the full remit of HR and associated services. Provide guidance and support to any other colleagues within the HR & Training Team.  

Undertake duties consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities that can be expected of a fully competent and successful HR & Training Adviser operating generically across all team activities. Duties to include (indicatively not exclusively): 

Payroll administration and processing and liaison with external contractor(s) 

Pensions administration and liaison with LGPS/JPS providers 

Recruitment and selection – including conducting DBS and BPSS checks, eligibility to work in the UK, managing recruiting campaigns, as allocated 

Talent management, engagement, retention and succession planning 

Employee Relations – including sickness absence management, grievance, disciplinary and performance issues 

Promoting EDI within the VTS and wellness at work campaigns  

Promoting  

Industrial relations – including collective bargaining 

Management of change 

Organisational development and design 

Reward – including pay strategy, remuneration and benefits. 

Employee development and engagement 

HR Policy Development and review 

Promotion of Health & Safety and support for the Health & Safety Committee 

Training development and provision to staff and VTE members  

Creation and development of Learning Management System modules 

Employee administration and HR & Training systems administration including record keeping. 

Development of HR system reports 

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law to ensure that the VTS complies with all legal obligations and provide appropriate legal compliance advice to managers    

Support the Head of HR and Training - and as required, the Training Manager in the delivery of the full remit of training activities and associated services including developing skills to author LMS modules. Provide guidance and support to any other colleagues within the HR & Training Team.  

General 

• The post holder will provide day-to-day professional, technical and administrative support in operational/transactional HR services for the VTS geared towards supporting the delivery of business objectives.  

The role requires assisting colleagues to provide support to management and in helping to manage the VTS’s employment relationships including the provision of professional and technical support to the training function.  

The  postholder will be expected to take on complex and contentious issues and undertake a demanding and complicated workload across HR and as required, in support of Training. 

The postholder will initially focus on supporting payroll and pensions so any applicant should have sound experience in these areas and with an ability and commitment to develop their skills in producing modules on our Learning Management (LMS). 

Actively participate and, as required, take minutes/notes at meetings, including joint consultative meetings, Health and Safety committee etc. 

Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in the HR & Training team and with other VTS colleagues - specifically those within Head Office. 

Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the job. 

Participate in working groups and project teams as set up from time to time. 

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to change in accordance with operational needs.  

The jobholder will need to undertake additional tasks, in keeping with the above, as required by HR colleagues or by senior management. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Post: HR & Training Adviser 

Responsible to: Head of HR & Training 

All criteria are Essential (E) and minimum - unless otherwise stated as Desirable (D). 

Education 

Good general standard of education; indicatively this will be evidenced by GCSE Mathematics and English Language (Grade C) or equivalent. (E). 

A degree level education (or equivalent) is the indicative level of education required to carry out the role effectively (D). 

Qualifications 

CIPD qualification (E)  

Level 5 CIPD or above (or equivalent) (D) 

NB Qualification must be coupled with relevant  and appropriate practical work experience. (E). 

Experience 

Experience of working in an office environment. Commitment and interest in HR and Training and people management issues is essential. (E). 

Experience across a wide range of HR activities including exposure to training. As an indicator we would expect around 3-4 years’ experience in a small but busy team (E) 

Experience of using and developing HR and Training systems and  writing and producing reports (E) 

Experience of using Learning Managing Systems and designing and adding content (D) 

Experience of payroll processing and administration from a client perspective and understanding of the relationship with an outsourced payroll provider (E) 

Experience of administering pensions and pensions information (D) – ideally involving the Local Government Pension Scheme (D) 

Knowledge & understanding 

Appreciation and ability to understand HR and Training techniques and best practice approaches to employment matters (E). 

Willingness to become familiar and remain up to date with key elements of latest employment law – including statute and case-law. (E) 

Demonstrable evidence of Business Awareness (E). 

Appreciation of challenges facing the public sector post Covid and understanding of the `more for less’ government philosophy (E). 

Appreciation of public sector service environment and the nuances of working for an arms-length body (E). 

Understanding of client-side payroll processing requirements including payroll checking (E). 

Understanding of training and the various aspects of training that contribute to creating a learning organisation (E) 

Knowledge and understanding of Learning Management Systems (E) 

Knowledge and understanding of both the potential - and use - of HR & Training systems and the development of management metrics/KPIs and reports (E) 

Appreciation of Nolan principles in public sector employment (E) 

Skills and abilities 

Excellent written and verbal comprehension and expression (E). 

Ability to work accurately and diligently with numbers (E). 

Confident and experienced user of HR and Training and other databases (E). 

Confident and experienced user of Microsoft Office packages particularly Word (E), Excel (E) and PowerPoint (E). Please note that Word and Excel skills are absolutely essential. 

High level of proficiency of using IT programmes and packages including HR knowledge systems (E) 

Efficient, organised worker, with good eye for detail (E). 

Excellent interpersonal skills (E). 

Tactful and discreet and aware of need for confidentiality and proportionate adherence to data protection principles (E). 

Able to process a high volume of varied work, remaining focused and productive when under pressure (E). 

Flexible team player supportive of management but who appreciates the challenging context in which the VTS sometimes operates (E). 

Motivated to develop skills on using HR & Training and Learning Managing systems (E) 

Capable of regularly “thinking outside the box” and using personal initiative (E)  

Able to manage own workload effectively with minimal supervision and adhere to required timescales e.g., dates and times for submission of payroll information (E) 

Commitment and other requirements 

Practical appreciation of diversity/inclusion/equality of opportunity issues (E). 

Resilient to conflicting and sometimes challenging and varied work demands (E). 

Willing to be flexible and take on new challenges (E).  

Understanding and appreciation of the higher levels of probity and propriety expected of an HR practitioner (E). 

Willing to act selflessly on behalf of the organisation (E). 

Willing to travel, including occasional early/late attendance and overnight stays (E).