Job summary
We have an opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join the HR Services team as an Investigating Officer. This new role will be responsible for providing a high quality, effective and efficient investigatory service across the Trust over a range of ER cases.
We are looking for someone who can carry out investigations to a high standard, travelling across the region to facilitate meetings, produce clear and concise reports and work to agreed timeframes. The ideal candidate will have experience of complex ER cases, the ability to work autonomously, and be confident managing senior stakeholders.
The role will involve planning and scheduling investigations and managing multiple cases, working in partnership with trade union, HR and management colleagues across the organisation, and identifying areas for learning and improvement in our Investigation processes.
There may also be the requirement to carry out other types of investigation within the Trust, and/or other types of work within the HR directorate.
This role supports agile working, but there will be a requirement to travel to sites across the North East to attend meetings, so access to a car and ability to drive is a requirement.
Please refer to the Job Description for more information and the essential criteria for the role.
Main duties of the job
Carry out a range of investigations to ensure that they are completed to a high standard, in line with best practice and our policies, within appropriate timescales. This includes scheduling of and travelling to meetings, attending hearings, preparing case papers, providing advice on cases and procedures where appropriate, and taking minutes of meetings if required.
Ensure investigations are conducted impartially and objectively so that participants feel they have had appropriate input into the process. Maintain confidentiality throughout the process and ensure all prepared reports are balanced and include a recommendation e.g., case to answer/no case to answer.
Maintain regular contact with the Head of HR Services & Delivery throughout the investigation to discuss progress, highlight any concerns, review requirements (i.e. need to broaden and/or cease the investigation) and provide expected timeframes for completion.
where the investigation results in a formal hearing, the Investigating Officer will attend the hearing and present their findings to the respective Panel.
Carry out other complex investigations as required, for example: where other agencies are involved, or on behalf of other parts of NEAS.
About us
We employ 3,500 staff in 63 locations and serve a population of 2,600,000 in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham, and Tees over 3230 square miles.
Many people think the job of the ambulance service is to collect patients and take them to hospital, but we do much more!
Paramedic skills have developed hugely in recent years, meaning we carry out more treatment at the scene and en-route to hospital.
We have a dedicated clinical assessment service that allows us to provide patients with the most appropriate care from the beginning of the patient journey.
We have a specialised branch of the Trust called HART which deal with explosions or terrorist attacks.
Ultimately patients are the heart of everything that we do to support our mission of "safe, effective and responsive care for all".
We value and respect the diversity employees bring to our workplace. We recruit a workforce that reflects the community we serve, and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. To ensure we deliver on our aims in relation to diversity and inclusion we assess ourselves against a range of frameworks. We are ENEI Gold employer, Disability Confident Leader, Dyslexia Smart Award employer, Dementia Friendly, and part of Mind Blue Light programme and the Race at Work Charter from the Princes Responsible Business Network and are achieving across all objectives in NHS Equality Delivery System.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification Please consult the Job Description and Job Specification
Person Specification
QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a people related field or possess equivalent experience in a similar role
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Ability to drive to sites across the North East
Desirable
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Track record of working within an ER function, including managing multiple cases across a range of issues, e.g. Disciplinary, Grievance, Dignity at Work & Discrimination
- Up-to-date knowledge and experience of employment law
- An excellent communicator, able to quickly establish trust and rapport and put people at ease
- The ability to identify when things are better dealt with informally and/ or differently, and the coaching and influencing skills to persuade others
- Analytical and thorough, yet able to cut through unnecessary "noise" to get to the heart of issues raised.
- Confidence and capability in having difficult conversations, including putting serious allegations to people at all levels in the organisation.
- Ability to objectively weigh up evidence and reached well-reasoned conclusions
- Ability to produce clear and concise investigation reports and outcomes, presenting complex information in a straightforward, human way
Desirable
- Experience of NHS Trusts or other similar complex organisation
- Experience of mediation or other alternative dispute resolution
- Understanding of safeguarding and professional registration requirements
OTHER
Essential
- Ability to travel to other sites across the North East
Person Specification
QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a people related field or possess equivalent experience in a similar role
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Ability to drive to sites across the North East
Desirable
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Track record of working within an ER function, including managing multiple cases across a range of issues, e.g. Disciplinary, Grievance, Dignity at Work & Discrimination
- Up-to-date knowledge and experience of employment law
- An excellent communicator, able to quickly establish trust and rapport and put people at ease
- The ability to identify when things are better dealt with informally and/ or differently, and the coaching and influencing skills to persuade others
- Analytical and thorough, yet able to cut through unnecessary "noise" to get to the heart of issues raised.
- Confidence and capability in having difficult conversations, including putting serious allegations to people at all levels in the organisation.
- Ability to objectively weigh up evidence and reached well-reasoned conclusions
- Ability to produce clear and concise investigation reports and outcomes, presenting complex information in a straightforward, human way
Desirable
- Experience of NHS Trusts or other similar complex organisation
- Experience of mediation or other alternative dispute resolution
- Understanding of safeguarding and professional registration requirements
OTHER
Essential
- Ability to travel to other sites across the North East
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
