JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Job Details

Job title: Assistant HR Partner – Reward
School/Support Department: Human Resources
Unit: University HR Services
Line manager: Senior HR Partner – Reward

2. Job Purpose

To support the development and operation of the University’s employee reward policies and associated processes.

3. Main Responsibilities

• Support the development of reward policy and processes through compiling benchmark data, provision of analysis and production of reports

• Liaison with devolved HR teams to support the development, review and implementation of reward policies and processes

• Leading the Equality Impact Assessment of any new/reviewed Reward related HR policies and procedures and ensuring equality compliance. Providing guidance and advice to others as required

• Collecting data, monitoring, analysing and presenting statistical information relating to University wide reward processes with particular regard to consistency of application across the University, highlighting any areas for further analysis

• Providing professional, administrative and high level secretariat support to a number of committees and working groups including arranging meeting schedules, preparing and presenting information, taking minutes and undertaking follow-up actions. These include:

• Acting as Secretary to Grading Appeal panels ensuring procedures are fairly adhered to and providing professional advice to the panel

• Ensuring action points are disseminated to relevant individuals or groups and reporting on progress as applicable

• Contributing to other HR projects on an adhoc basis as required

4. Planning and Organising

Planning and organising own workload to meet Reward timetable and co-ordinating responsibilities of others usually over a period of weeks and months and in the case of the HR Reward timetable co-ordinating the annual planning process, and taking account of College/Support Groups views. Broad timescales are generally set by the line manager or other individual leading the work/committee schedule.

5. Problem Solving

Sourcing and researching relevant information to inform development of Reward policy, ensuring legal compliance is met and recommend solutions and ideas for awareness raising or best practice in policy. Advise upon operational queries which may not be explicitly provided for within the relevant policy or procedure. Use judgement and experience to ensure that consistency of reward principles are adhered to when non-standard issues arise and solutions are proposed. The majority of problems should be able to be solved by the postholder through prior knowledge and understanding or, where appropriate, after discussion with and reference to relevant manager.

6. Decision Making

When seeking information to meet requests to support policy work, exercises judgement to determine the content and whether the information found is likely to be relevant to the request. Offers clear and practical advice on policy issues. Within remit of role, presents and keeps up to date a timetable to meet policy review and legislative requirements, including identifying when changes in policies and practices may be needed or desirable.

7. Key Contacts/Relationships

Reports to the Senior HR Partner – Reward. Works as part of a small team and closely with HR Systems Manager where projects cross both reward and systems areas. Works with HR Business Support Team to support of reward processes. Devolved and University HR Services and other staff, union representatives and senior University managers. Liaison with other Universities/other organisations to seek/provide information and equality organisations, locally and inside/outside sector.

8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience required for the Job

Essential:

• Comprehensive knowledge of reward work practices, processes and procedures
• HNC/HND equivalent or broad experience
• Excellent written communication skills. Experience of drafting documents, including procedural guides for HR staff
• Highly proficient numerical skills. Experience preparing, interpreting and presenting complex statistical reports
• Excellent interpersonal skills. The ability to form effective working relationships with staff at all levels and from all backgrounds
• Able to work effectively as part of a team and independently
• Ability to handle confidential matters and data
• Excellent organisational skills, including experience working in project driven/based environment
• Knowledge of HR systems, Business Information Systems and Microsoft Office products, with at least intermediate level Excel
• Strong focus on continued professional development. Working knowledge and understanding of employment law with the capability and motivation to fill any gaps in knowledge through research, development and benchmarking

Desirable:

• Experience of working in complex unionised organisations, ideally on a large scale
• Experience of delivering small scale projects which contribute to larger initiatives
• Experience in Job Matching, Job Evaluation and Job Analysis

9. Dimensions

There are no direct supervisory responsibilities, but the post-holder will work with the HR Systems Team and Business Support Team, University HR Services, delegating work where appropriate and agreeing joint work deadlines at other times.

UHRS provides strategic HR leadership and services in the context of a devolved HR function, which means that the post-holder has to operate and influence within a complex matrix of relationships, where the needs and drivers of the Colleges and Support Groups have primacy and solutions have to be found which meet the needs of up to six varying business areas.

Meet the demands of a complex organisation with over 13,500 staff drawn from local, national and international employment markets. Work in partnership with the University’s recognised trade unions.

10. Job Context and any other relevant information

Major Russell Group University with leading position in Scotland, UK and worldwide; strong reputational position to be maintained and enhanced.

The post-holder needs to keep abreast of a large and constantly evolving legal and political landscape covering Scottish, UK and European employment legislation and case law) and to work in partnership with the Joint Union Liaison Committee which brings together leaders of the three recognised trade unions, UCU, Unite and Unison.

Application Procedure

All applicants should apply online by clicking the apply link at the bottom of this page. The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.

We anticipate interviews will be held at the beginning of March. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.
The closing date is 5pm on 20th February 2018.

Eligibility to Work

In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.

For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work website

In the circumstances where the vacancy does not meet the Home Office and Visa Services advertising, salary and/or qualification level criteria for sponsorship the successful applicant must have the existing right to work in the UK.

Conditions of Employment

Pension Scheme

This role is grade UE06 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.

For further information please visit our Pensions website .

Salary

The role is grade UE06 and attracts an annual salary of £27,285 to £31,604 for 35 hours each week. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.

The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.