MainPurpose:HRBusinessPartner ProvidespecialistleadershipandgovernanceforallpensionandmedicalretirementprocessesandrelatedmattersacrossEssexandKentPolicetoensurefair,timelyandcompliantdecisionsunderthePolicePensionSchemesandLGPS,managecomplexcaseworkandsupportSchemeManagerswithstatutoryresponsibilities,andmaintainseffectiveoperationofthePensionBoards. Representbothforcesinmedicalappealsandcomplaints,developandrefinepoliciesandoperatingmodels,andprovideexpertinsight,regulatorycompliance,andnationalliaison.Theroleoverseesdata,reportingandrequiredchangeactivity,includinglegislativereform,whilemanagingtheHR&PensionAdvisertoensureconsistent,high-qualityservicedeliveryonadaytodaybasis. MainResponsibilities:HRBusinessPartner ActastheEssexandKentPensionAuthorityandleadforbothforcesonmanaginganddeliveringthemedicalhealthretirementprocessforbothofficersandstaff,ensuringcompliancewithallPoliceRegulations,employmentlaw,PolicePensionRegulations(1987,2006,2015)andLocalGovernmentPensionScheme(LGPS)regulationstoensurefair,accurate,andtimelydecisionsonretirementandinjurybenefits,ensuringcompliancewithlegalrequirementsandorganisationalpolicies. Manageandresolvecomplexpensionandmedicalretirementcasework,ensuringfullcompliancewithPolicePensionSchemeandLGPSregulationsincludingoverseeingmedicalappeals,discretionarypensiondecisions,forfeiturecases,IDRPcomplaints,andill-healthretirementassessments.Develop,applyandpromoteeffectivepolicies,proceduresandgovernancestandardstodeliveraconsistent,equitableandprofessionalHRandpensionsadvisoryserviceforbothofficersandpolicestaff. MaintainPensionsBoardsforKentandEssexforcesandinconjunctionwiththeHeadofPayrollandPensionsandtheChairsoftheBoards,actasprincipalliaisoninordertoensurealltherequirementsandresponsibilitiesoftheBoardaredischargedappropriately. ProvideprofessionaladviceandguidancetotheChiefConstablesofKentandEssexofensuringcompliancewiththePolicePensionsScheme(1987,2006,2015)regulations.ThisextendstocompliancewithThePensionRegulator(TPR)codeofpracticeandrespondonbehalfoftheChiefConstablestoanyrequests/directionsmadebytheTPR. ProvideauthoritativeadviceandguidancetoSchemeManagers,delegatedschememanagersandseniorstakeholdersonallaspectsofmedicalretirementand pensionrelatedpolicy,procedures,andgovernance,ensuringfullcompliancewithstatutoryresponsibilitiesandPolicePensionSchemeregulations.WorkcloselywiththeHeadofPayrollandPensionstosupplyaccurateinformationrequiredforregulatorycompliance,includingalignmentwithThePensionsRegulatorsCodeofPractice. ActastheforcerepresentativeforEssexandKentPensionAuthorityinrespectofmedicalappeals(PMAB),workwithandactasakeycontactforthepensionadministratorsfortheEssexandKentPensionAuthorityregardingmedicalretirementandonbehalfofthedelegatedschememanager(EssexandKent)investigateandmedicalretirementpensioncomplaintsappertainingtothePolicePensionSchemeandinrespectofLGPScomplaints(IDRPeitherstage1or2)ensuringprofessionalandappropriatesupporttotheDelegatedSchemeManager. Leadthedevelopmentandrefinementofmedicalretirementandpensionrelatedprocesses,policies,andoperatingmodelsforEssexandKent,providingcleardirection,communication,andchangeleadershipacrossbothforces.Actasanadvocateforeffectivepracticethroughengagementwithstakeholdersincludingstaff,staffassociations,andtradeunions,whilemaintainingrobustcommunicationchannelsandsharedresources.Overseekeystatutoryresponsibilities,includingthestatutoryreviewofmedicalretirementpensionallowances,andprovideaccuratereportingandassurancetotheSchemeManageronprogressandoutcomes. NecessaryExperience:HRBusinessPartner ThepostholderwillactastheprofessionalleadforPublicSectorPensionGovernanceandComplianceacrosstheEssexandKentPolicePensionAuthorities,requiringsubstantialexpertiseinpublicsectorpensionsandthecapabilitytoaddresscomplexgovernancechallengesonbehalfoftheSchemeManagers(ChiefConstables).TheywillbringadeepandcurrentunderstandingofPolicePensionSchemes,legislativechange,andtheoperationaldemandsinvolvedinadministeringcomplexpublicsectorpensionarrangements. Educatedtodegreelevel(orpossessingequivalentdegree-levelexperience),thepostholderwillalsoholdapayroll/pension/HRqualificationsuchasCIPP,PMIorequivalent,orMCIPD. Theywilldemonstrateaproventrackrecordofover10yearsexperienceinpensionsgovernance,policydevelopment,andthemanagementofstatutorypensionresponsibilities,supportedbycredibleexperienceadvisingChiefOfficers,seniorleadersanddelegatedSchemeManagers.Thisincludesresolvingcomplexpeople-relatedmattersandprovidingcorporateoversightofpensionadministration. Therolerequiressomeonehighlyeffectiveatmanagingsubstantialandvariedworkloads,workingwithautonomy,meetingdemandingbusinessandchange-managementrequirements,andmanagingmultiplecasessimultaneously. HRBusinessPartnerStrongorganisational,interpersonalandinfluencingskillsbothwrittenandverbalareessential,withtheabilitytocommunicatesensitivelyandrobustlyonconfidentialandcomplexpensionissues. HRBusinessPartnerExperiencenegotiatingwithtradeunions,federationsandstaffassociationsisalsorequired,alongwithastrongunderstandingofthenationalpolicingenvironmentandthecredibilitytoengageconfidentlywithChiefOfficersandinternalandexternalstakeholdersatExecutivelevel.