Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the HR Business Partnering team as a HR Officer Apprentice, working with a team of HR Advisors and HR Business Partners to provide an excellent generalist service to the Trust. This new role is intended to support personal growth in the field of HR. Over the course of about 20 months, the post holder will be able to demonstrate progression towards a HR Officer role and have completed a Level 5 HR Consultant Apprenticeship.
The role involves being responsible for providing first line advice and support to line managers across the Trust on HR policies and procedures, key legislation and terms and conditions of service, with a particular focus on sickness absence management and flexible working.
You will need to have Level 3 CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) and Foundation-level membership of the CIPD. In addition, you will have a proven track record in building and developing good relationships with all levels of staff across an organisation.
This post is offered under Annex 21 of a Band 5 to support timely progression to the next level of your career. You will be paid 70% of a B5 for the first 12 months and 75% after 12 months and until completion of the course.
Due to apprenticeship funding criteria, we cannot accept applications from individuals who hold a Level 5 or higher qualification in HR or the People Profession.
Interviews Date: 21 February 2023
Main duties of the job
The role presents a rewarding opportunity for those aspiring to take the next step in their career in HR in a supportive environment.
You will have experience of working in a HR function within a large organisation with knowledge and an understanding of a range of HR and HR policy issues and best practice, and have the ability to work both independently, using your own initiative whilst also recognising the importance of being a good team player.
The post holder will be expected to complete the Level 5 HR Apprenticeship delivered by Penshaw View Training within the expected timeframe.
The post-holder is required to work as part of the Human Resources Advisory team and will support the HR Business Partners in delivering an operational HR service to the Trust.
To complete a Level 5 HR Consultant Apprenticeship within the duration of the 20 month programme.
The role is based across two sites, at both Witan Gate House offices and the hospital site and therefore candidates will be required to possess their own transport. A mixture of working from home and in the office is available.
About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Human Resources
To provide advice, support to ensure that the Trust is able to develop and deliver a Human Resources service that responds to identified service needs and to national and local performance targets.
To provide basic comprehensive, proactive, professional HR advice to managers including:
- Provision of first line advice and guidance on aspects of HR policies, key legislation and terms and conditions of service, employment law and best practice;
- Interpretation and application of Agenda for Change terms and conditions; enabling managers to understand their duties and to make informed decisions on HR issues;
People Management
To support the effective resolution of employee relations issues.
To provide advice and support to Line Managers on the management of individual sickness absence cases. Working in partnership with trade union representatives to reduce sickness absence levels by developing and agreeing sickness absence management strategies.
Policy and Procedure Development
To participate in the review of HR policies, procedures, standard documentation, and guidelines to meet the needs and values of the Trust, and the requirements of employment legislation, NHS Employers guidance and best practice.
To participate, as required, in working groups, presentations and training programmes.
Training and Development
To support the development, delivery, and coordination of HR training courses for staff as necessary
Team Development
To support the Human Resources Business Partners to ensure there is an effective and efficient HR team.
To support the development of the HR team in conjunction with the national and local priorities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Human Resources
To provide advice, support to ensure that the Trust is able to develop and deliver a Human Resources service that responds to identified service needs and to national and local performance targets.
To provide basic comprehensive, proactive, professional HR advice to managers including:
- Provision of first line advice and guidance on aspects of HR policies, key legislation and terms and conditions of service, employment law and best practice;
- Interpretation and application of Agenda for Change terms and conditions; enabling managers to understand their duties and to make informed decisions on HR issues;
People Management
To support the effective resolution of employee relations issues.
To provide advice and support to Line Managers on the management of individual sickness absence cases. Working in partnership with trade union representatives to reduce sickness absence levels by developing and agreeing sickness absence management strategies.
Policy and Procedure Development
To participate in the review of HR policies, procedures, standard documentation, and guidelines to meet the needs and values of the Trust, and the requirements of employment legislation, NHS Employers guidance and best practice.
To participate, as required, in working groups, presentations and training programmes.
Training and Development
To support the development, delivery, and coordination of HR training courses for staff as necessary
Team Development
To support the Human Resources Business Partners to ensure there is an effective and efficient HR team.
To support the development of the HR team in conjunction with the national and local priorities.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Foundation-level CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) qualification.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Knowledge and understanding of HR and HR policy issues and best practice.
- Certificates to evidence Maths and English GCSE Grade 4/C or above or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a HR function in a large organisation.
- Administrative experience.
Desirable
- Experience of HR casework.
- Experience of working in partnership with Trade unions.
- Experience of advising managers on terms and conditions and implementation of HR policies.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to create and develop good partnership working.
- Good presentation and report writing skills.
- Good IT skills (to includes as a minimum: Word Excel, PowerPoint, HR databases).
- Good typing/word processing skills where speed and accuracy are important.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently.
- Ability to establish good working relationships with staff at all levels across the organisation.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner.
Desirable
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex situations.
- Ability to interpret and apply NHS Terms and Conditions of Employment.
Personal and people development
Essential
- The ability to work on own initiative, responding to immediate requests.
- Team member with a mature and flexible approach to work, willing to adapt to regularly changing situations.
- Proactive and self-motivated.
Communication
Essential
- Strongly developed communication skills.
- Able to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances when imparting information.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Foundation-level CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) qualification.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Knowledge and understanding of HR and HR policy issues and best practice.
- Certificates to evidence Maths and English GCSE Grade 4/C or above or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a HR function in a large organisation.
- Administrative experience.
Desirable
- Experience of HR casework.
- Experience of working in partnership with Trade unions.
- Experience of advising managers on terms and conditions and implementation of HR policies.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to create and develop good partnership working.
- Good presentation and report writing skills.
- Good IT skills (to includes as a minimum: Word Excel, PowerPoint, HR databases).
- Good typing/word processing skills where speed and accuracy are important.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently.
- Ability to establish good working relationships with staff at all levels across the organisation.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner.
Desirable
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex situations.
- Ability to interpret and apply NHS Terms and Conditions of Employment.
Personal and people development
Essential
- The ability to work on own initiative, responding to immediate requests.
- Team member with a mature and flexible approach to work, willing to adapt to regularly changing situations.
- Proactive and self-motivated.
Communication
Essential
- Strongly developed communication skills.
- Able to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances when imparting information.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
