Assistant HR Business Partner Location: Civic Campus, Euclid Street, SN1 2JG Start Date: ASAP Contract Duration: 3 Months Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week Pay rate: £ 27.00 per hour Job Ref: OR12116 Responsibilities Provide managers and staff with advice and guidance on Council policies, terms and conditions of employment, and other HR-related issues in accordance with employment legislation. Support, coach, challenge, and empower Directorate line managers in managing people issues such as disciplinary and grievance matters. Engage with local trade union representatives regarding individual cases or local collective issues and maintain positive relationships with line managers, employees, and TU representatives. Screen vacancies, identify potential redeployment opportunities, and assist in matching employees to suitable alternative jobs across the Council. Conduct effective Job Evaluations using benchmarking data to ensure fair, consistent, and objective assessments. Provide senior Directorate stakeholders with insights from people data, update the casework database accurately and timely, and offer essential HR data for monitoring purposes. Address strategic, policy, or legal constraints or requirements and take action based on local issues in the Directorates from an HR perspective. Ensure relevant work is passed to the appropriate point in HR as needed. Advise on and participate in staff appointments, ensuring adherence to Council procedures for grading, advertising, recruitment, and selection of staff. Contribute to the development of the HR team, including HR policy development and projects. Conduct research and support the HRBP in preparing briefing papers as necessary. Maintain continuing professional development and network with other HR practitioners as appropriate. Stay updated with HR policies and procedures and respond to queries from managers and staff on terms and conditions of employment. Communicate effectively with colleagues across the Council and externally regarding work in progress, emerging trends, issues, or problems. Participate in working groups and attend meetings on behalf of the HRBP and the HR Operations team as required. Undertake additional or alternative tasks and duties as the needs of the business dictate, within the individual's capabilities and skill set at an appropriate level. Person Specification CIPD qualified, or working towards this, with experience in a complex organization. Proven track record of providing clear, balanced advice and guidance on HR issues. Experience working successfully with Senior Managers on complex HR issues. Experience in a customer-focused HR department, proactively facilitating and leading change. Significant experience in casework management, including disciplinary, grievance, attendance, well-being, conduct, and performance. Up-to-date employment law knowledge and practical application on case management, with the ability to apply and implement process and policy change. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Solid understanding and experience in applying worker relations and employment practices to manage worker issues. Ability to interpret the Council’s HR Policy & Procedures and provide advice to stakeholders appropriate to the situation. Develop HR colleagues and line managers. Strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate data and establish key insights. Ability to interpret financial, people, and performance data and commentaries. Ability to review and challenge content provided by other team members and local HR teams. Understanding of the Directorate's objectives and priorities. Able to integrate external sources of data where necessary, using resources like CIPD/ACAS websites. Ability to interpret financial, people, and performance data and commentaries, identifying and evaluating key pressures and opportunities, ensuring mitigation is identified from internal and external sources where necessary. Persuade others using straightforward techniques, clearly communicate work requirements, and explain own position with evidence when challenged. Evaluate current situations based on previous experience, identify advanced implications/conclusions from logical analysis of complex situations or issues. Recognize the contribution and ideas of colleagues and provide constructive feedback. Aware of the impact of their area on the EDI agenda and able to foster inclusive workplace relationships and drive continuous improvement. Experience working successfully with Senior Managers on complex HR issues. Ability to challenge and influence, as well as take ownership and responsibility. Effective working relationships with people at all levels, building strong relationships. DISCLAIMER: By applying for this vacancy, you consent to your personal information being shared with our client and any relevant third parties we engage with, for the purpose of assessing your suitability for the role. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to inform i-Jobs in advance if there are any specific organisations or hirers to whom you do not wish your details to be disclosed