Senior Hr Advisor

House of Commons

The House of Commons a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including: 

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year). 
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. 
• Access to training and development. 
• Flexible working. 
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan. 

Introduction 

You will work in either the Members Services Team (MST) or the People Management Team.

The Members’ Services Team (MST) is part of the People and Culture Team. The People and Culture Team provides a range of people related services to the staff of the House of Commons and Joint Departments (Parliamentary Digital Service and Restoration & Renewal Client Team), as well as Members of Parliament and their staff.

The People Management Team will be launched in April 2024 and will support colleagues across the House of Commons. It will deliver a broad range of expert HR support across all teams of the House of Commons, enabling strategic, evidence-based people management and empowering managers to take on their full people management responsibilities, all underpinned by effective HR policies that strive to support high quality organisational service delivery.

The Role 

The Senior HR Advisers will provide high volume case management guidance in all areas of complex HR matters, using good knowledge of employment law, case law and HR best practice. This will include adopting a pragmatic approach in offering solutions to MPs in their role as an employer, while recognising legal and regulatory requirements.

The post-holder will provide high quality customer service and build relationships with a region of MPs and their staff, including regular check-ins on employment issues and signpost to other services offer by the MST and the wider House. They will also support with other regional accounts as and when required, or as case work pressures dictate.

The post-holder would also assist in the continuous review of policy, procedure and best practice guidance to support MPs and to deliver training sessions to MPs and their HR proxies. When able, they will also work across the wider people profession internally and sharing good practice and learning with colleagues across PACT.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Supporting and advising a region of Members and their HR proxies to manage employee relations casework through all stages, including regular check-ins on employment issues and signposting to other services offer by the MST and the wider House. Supporting with other regional accounts as and when required, or as case work pressures dictate.
• Providing timely and appropriate support and advice to Members and their HR proxies on HR issues including the Member’s role and responsibilities as an employer. This includes conditions of service, employment law issues, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and performance and attendance management procedures and to liaise with the Employment Practices Liability insurance solicitors, as required.
• Coach, develop, and advise Members and their HR proxies to enable them to fully undertake their people management role and improve their understanding of how to effectively resolve employee relation issues.
• Work as part of a team of HR professionals representing the specific needs of Members, building knowledge and understanding of their needs and the wider Parliamentary context and culture.

Skills and Experience 

• Essential - We expect successful applicants to be able to demonstrate professional competence at Associate level on the CIPD profession map
• Up to date knowledge of employment legislation with an understanding of relevant case law and experience of advising line managers on complex casework on the rights and obligations of employers and employees arising from the contract of employment, while respecting confidentiality.
• Experience of delivering excellent customer service, through building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Members of Parliament. The ability to work successfully within a team, whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Well-developed communication skills, both oral and written, including an ability to convey complex issues and information to a lay audience and the ability to influence and persuade in challenging situations.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills and ability to prioritise and deliver results. Proven ability to deliver against competing deadlines, adapting to changing circumstances.
• Experience of analysing data to identify trends, making recommendations for improvement, including identifying and delivering practical and innovative HR solutions within the framework of organisational policies and procedures.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1-4 in the Job Description. 

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. 

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.