HR Business Partner

Job Title: HR Business Partner

Grade: Grade 8

Post Number: 2037YAR

Conditions of Service: NJC for Local Government Services

Responsible to: HR Manager

General Description of Post

To provide professional HR advice and guidance to line managers and, as a participant in district or departmental management teams, to support designated areas of the service in the implementation of HR policy and procedures. Contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures at a corporate level, and participate in regional work, as required.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Provide HR support and advice to a designated part of the Service, to ensure the effective management of all HR issues in those areas.
2. Participate as part of the Departmental or District Management Team in designated support areas.
3. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with line managers and employee representatives in designated support areas.
4. Provide specialist advice and knowledge to managers across a broad area of HR related Legislation, Regulations to include the practical application of UK and European employment legislation and national and local terms of conditions for both uniform and non uniform employees
5. Attendance at all levels of formal disciplinary, capability and appeal meetings ensuring the provision of HR guidance and support to panel chairs.
6. In conjunction with lead investigator undertake formal disciplinary and harassment and bullying investigations to include provision of full HR support and guidance on all matters relating to the investigation process including the drafting of more complex reports .
7. Advise Senior / Line Managers on the interpretation and application of Pension Regulations (92 Firefighter Pension Scheme, 2006 New Firefighter Pension Scheme, 2015 Fire Pension Scheme, RDS Modified Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme)
8. To consult with the Representative Bodies on both an informal and formal basis in relation to a range of HR related matters
9. Co-ordinate pension appeals through the IDRP or Medical Appeals processes. Attending and advising Members, Principal Officers and Senior Managers at appeal hearings, including preparation of management case.
10. Be involved in Service promotion processes up to the level of Middle Manager and be able to assess candidates across a range of exercises at selection centres
11. Contribute to the provision of regular performance reports on HR related issues at District/Departmental level
12. Provide HR support and advice to officers leading on organisational change/transformation to include involvement in formal consultation processes with Representative Bodies eg re-organisation and redundancy consultation, the provision of redundancy figures and the drafting of settlement agreements in conjunction with Service legal advisers.
13. Attend as a member of the job evaluation panel and at appeals as required.
14. Manage HR related projects within designated areas or Service wide
15. Approve the implementation of appropriate procedures in relation to appointments, contractual variance, changes to salary, termination of employment, equalities and pension matters within designated support areas.
16. Prepare case and attendance at member appeals in an advisory capacity to a member of the Principal Officer team
17. Advise and support line managers on complex issues relating to conduct/performance/redeployment/retirement /dismissal and harassment issues.
18. Coordinate all aspects of the grievance and discipline process for designated support areas and provide advice, guidance and support to managers in dealing with issues appropriately.
19. Contribute to the management of corporate risk by highlighting areas of concern in relation to employment practice and by seeking to work with local managers to resolve employment issues.
20. Liaise with HR Manager and legal advisers on responses to Employment Tribunal applications and attend Tribunal in capacity as a HR professional
21. Manage all aspects of internal and regional recruitment / appointment processes up to Head of Department and Middle Manager level to designated support areas.
22. Implement policies and processes relating to the promotion of employees across the Service
23. Monitor the attendance/absence process for designated support areas and to support managers in dealing with long term and short term absence issues appropriately.
24. Provide support to employees on long term absence, including notification of sickness payments, welfare visits and return to work arrangements.
25. Implement ill-health retirement procedures, providing estimates as required, liaising with the payroll and pension sections.
26. Manage individual employment issues on a casework basis including the retention of full case notes, arranging and participating in case conferences and review meetings in relation to HR related matters, and maintaining contact with the employee and their representatives as appropriate.
27. Undertake duties in a corporate HR capacity i.e. HR related training delivery and trainee induction, participation in cross functional or corporate working groups. 2
28. Where appropriate develop, formulate and deliver HR related training and contribute to the development of Managers knowledge and skills in the area of people management on a formal and informal basis
29. Collaborate with regional partners on HR related matters as required
30. Maintain an up to date knowledge of organisational policies and procedures impacting on HR activity at both a corporate and local level.
31. Contribute to local and regional policy and procedural reviews/development as requested by the HR Manager
32. Contribute to the provision of relevant management information, as requested by the HR Manager
33. Maintain an up to date knowledge of developments across a broad range of HR related activity to include changes to regulations, legislation and national/local terms and conditions of employment (Continuing Professional Development)
34. Undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined, subject to the proviso that normally any significant changes of a permanent nature should be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.
35. Specific Health & Safety Responsibilities
    1. None.
36. General Responsibilities (all employees)
    1. Health and Safety

       To take reasonable care for your own health and safety and work and that of other persons who may be affected by your work activities.

       To co-operate with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue’s attempts to comply with health and safety legislation. Where appropriate you must safeguard the health and safety of all persons affected by the work activities you supervise at any premises you have control over.

       To work in a safe manner in which you have been trained and instructed and advise your line manager of any health and safety problems you become of aware of.

       To familiarise yourself with the contents of the Service’s Written Safety Policy.

    2. Use of equipment and other appliances

       To take proper care in handling, operation and safeguarding of any equipment, vehicles or appliance, used or issued by the Service or provided or issued by a third party for individual or collective use in the performance of the job holder’s duties

    3. Equalities

       To uphold the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fairness at Work and Equal Opportunities policies and practices and to treat all colleagues, service users and contacts with respect and in accordance with the expectations laid down by the Service.

       To promote and deliver fair and quality services that are sensitive and responsive to all service users.

    4. Code of Conduct

       To adhere to the standards of the Code of Conduct established by the Service.

    5. Personal Development

       To keep up to date with current practice, undertake training and Continuous Professional Development as appropriate.

    6. Information Technology

       To comply with security measures to protect against unauthorised access to, alteration or disclosure of information held on computer and ensure adherence to the principles of the Data Protection Act.

       To undertake any training and operation of new technologies and associated systems as required.

    7. Protective Security

       To comply with security measures to protect against unauthorised access to Service assets, or unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure of information, including information held on computer, ensuring adherence to NFRS policies and data protection law.

       To undertake any training and operation of new technologies and new systems as required.

       Or:
       To work within current legislation, Service policies and procedures and Service Values.

       Or:
       Comply with all Service Policies, guiding frameworks and legal requirements.

       Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of relevant data protection legal requirements.