Job info	Job info details
Job title	HR Officer Policy
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	HR
Business unit	Human Resources
Responsible to (day to day issues)	HR Manager
Accountable to (line manager)	HR Manager
Salary grade	H
JE ref	CORP030

1. Key purpose of job

• Working with the HR Management team, ensuring that HR Policies and associated processes are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the organisation.
• Writing, reviewing and updating HR policy, identifying required changes and working with HR team and colleagues in associated organisations.
• To monitor Employment Law changes, horizon scanning, ensuring that the relevant changes are planned for implementation.
• To ensure that the HR Policy plan is updated on a regular basis ensuring that any subsequent policy changes are recorded on the HR Policy plan and actioned as necessary.
• To ensure that HR Policy changes are fully communicated and consulted upon with Trade Unions as appropriate, in accordance with Consultation arrangements.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Working with the HR Management Team to lead on the creation and revision of HR Policies and processes that support the Councils business objectives, values and legislative framework.
• To ensure that new and existing policies support strategic goals and maintain legislative compliance, in a fair and consistent way.
• That the Council has an up to date and compliant set of HR policies. 

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• To ensure that the policy framework is kept up to date, continuously reviewed and policies updated as required taking into account legislative and operational requirements.  Ensuring that the Intranet, external website, MyView and other portals are all up to date as necessary.
• Working with HR Manager, as directed, monitoring employment legislation, researching and updating HR policy in order that it can be taken through the consultation process, ensuring that all briefing papers are written and disseminated as necessary and that deadlines are met.
• To ensure that HR team and wider workforce is briefed on all policy updates and changes to ensure that consistent and up to date information is provided. 
• Produce coaching, training and briefing sessions to the HR team and managers and employees within the wider organisation to ensure understanding of the Policy and its application.
• To present HR policies to the Torbay Joint Consultative Committee meetings, working collaboratively with Trade Unions with regards to HR Policy development.
• To arrange a quarterly HR Policy review meeting with HR Manager and Head of HR, where the Policy framework will be reviewed and updated.
• Responding to survey requests from Local Government Partners in relation to HR Policy, ensuring that best practice is shared, highlighting any learning from other organisations to HR Manager for consideration. 
• Ensuring that HR colleagues at SWISCo are fully updated on policy changes and that best practice and policies are shared to ensure that SWISCo remains aligned to Council policies where appropriate.
• Writing the HR Policy staff update ensuring that all Employees are aware of the Policy changes once agreed.
• To attend Management Team meetings such as SLT (Senior Leadership Team) or DOM (Directors Overview Meeting) supporting the HR Manager as necessary when new or revised Policies require Senior Leadership Team engagement.
• To engage with Payroll and HR systems to ensure that they are aware of HR policy developments, that may affect pay, in order that they can consider any implications on the payroll system as necessary.
• To ensure that Policy Compliance Quarterly reminders are sent to all staff, via staff news and MyView.
• To undertake regular CPD and other training and development as appropriate to the role.
• To undertake all work in accordance with Principals of Data Protection Act and Information Governance Policies and Procedures.
• To undertake specific HR project work as directed by the Head of HR.
• Promote safeguarding and welfare of Children at all times through the work of Human Resources.
• Support the completion of Equality Impact Assessments and ensure policies comply with equality, diversity and inclusion requirements.
• Respond to policy-related queries in the HR policy inbox. 

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working conditions. 

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical demands. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Normal resources.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• Other Local Authorities, South West Councils, Employment Solicitors, Trades Unions, Schools and Academies, SWISCo, External Solicitors.

Internal

• Colleagues within HR, Employees across the Council, Maintained School staff, Councillors,  Directors, All senior Managers, Managers, Team Leaders, and Officers. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• The post is eligible for both hybrid working.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	HR Officer Policy
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	HR
Business unit	Human Resources

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Effective communication skills and able to communication to a wide range of audiences through different methods.
• Effective administration skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and demands on a daily basis.
• Effective use of IT packages – fully conversant with MS teams an able to use technology to be support the delivery of the role effectively.
• A customer focused approach to service delivery with the ability to continuously improve the customer experience.
• As an HR ambassador the ability to build constructive relationships with all internal employees, Trade Unions and external partners.
• Promoting equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Maintaining effective and positive working relationships.
• Ability to prioritise own workload and work to conflicting and changing deadlines.
• Well organised and detail orientated.
• Research skills and ability to compile, analyse and present information gathered from research in a range of formats depending on audience.
• To work on own initiative or as part of a team.
• The ability to create and train individuals or groups of staff and managers on HR policy, either through e-learning or a blended approach.
• The ability to present and impart information to individuals and groups of staff in a way that creates confidence of the subject.
• Ability to write clear and concise HR Policy and reports that ensure coherent understanding.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Knowledge of policy frameworks, creating, reviewing and writing HR policies for implementation.
• Knowledge of Employment Law and Legislation, ACAS best practice, and the ability to interpret relevant legislation into HR policy.
• Knowledge of NJC/JNC terms and conditions of employment.
• Knowledge of compliance required for safe recruitment, right to work checks and agency workers regulations.

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS and Education terms and conditions of employment.
• Knowledge of Organisational development and well-being strategies.
• Knowledge of online and blended learning approaches.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of working in a Human Resources Team providing advice to Employees, Managers and external customers.
• Experience of researching, developing and drafting HR policy.
• Experience of building effective and collaborative relationships within the organisation and externally with partners and customers.
• Experience of translating HR Policy into training for employees and delivering training as necessary through a blended approach to learning.
• Experience of working with Trade Unions in a HR role.

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience of working with HR in a Local Authority.
• Experience of working with Elected Members. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent.
• Human Resources CIPD Level 5 as a minimum.
• Membership of CIPD or willingness to re-join CIPD if membership has lapsed.
• Commitment to CPD.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• ILM Level 3 and or Level 5 Coaching Qualification. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.