Job summary
HR Business Partner (HRBP), Band 8a, 1.00 WTE (maternity cover) & 0.8 WTE. 12-month secondment/FTC
Chief People Officer Directorate
Are you ready to take your HR expertise to the next level and play a central role in shaping the future of our organisation? We are seeking two talented HR Business Partners (1.8 WTE in total) to join our ambitious Chief People Officer Directorate. Our preference is for a 12-month secondment, but we will consider a fixed-term contract in exceptional cases.
This is an exciting time to join us. As an HR Business Partner, you'll be at the forefront of organisational change, working closely with senior leaders and managers to support them through complex workforce issues and transformation initiatives. You'll provide expert HR guidance and strategic input on everything from employee relations and recruitment to workforce planning and reward, ensuring our people strategies are aligned to the needs of the organisation.
Your days will be varied and fast-paced, as you lead high-profile HR projects, manage sensitive or high-risk employee relations cases, and help managers navigate organisational change with confidence and clarity. You'll play a key role in enabling our managers to address workforce challenges and deliver positive outcomes for their teams, while also having the autonomy to make decisions on complex issues and influence our broader HR agenda.
Main duties of the job
We're looking for someone with highly developed HR knowledge, ideally as a Chartered Member of CIPD (MCIPD) or with equivalent experience, and a good working knowledge of employment law. You'll be adaptable, resilient, and thrive in a fast-moving environment. Your ability to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and manage sensitive situations with professionalism will be key to your success.
You'll be joining a passionate and collaborative HR team, committed to being a trusted partner and enabler of positive change. This is your chance to make a real difference, helping to shape and drive forward innovative people solutions, and supporting managers as they lead their teams through periods of change and growth. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and supportive team, and we offer flexible working arrangements to help you succeed in the role.
If you're a proactive, strategic thinker who is excited by variety and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we would love to hear from you. For an informal conversation about the role, please get in touch with Marianna Borojevic-Gray, Senior HR Business Partner via marianna.borojevic-gray@nhs.net
*These roles are advertised as a secondment opportunity however in exceptional circumstances a fixed term contract may be considered.
About us
NHS Devon Integrated Care System
As an Integrated Care System (ICS), we recognise now more than ever that we can only provide the care that people really need by working together. Together for Devon therefore represents a partnership where health and care services work together with local communities to improve peoples health, wellbeing and care. It aims to transform health and care services so they are clinically, socially and financially sustainable.
Our vision is simple: equal chances for everyone in Devon to lead long, happy and healthy lives. To achieve this, we have set out six ambitions for the next five years that will help us transform services including: Effective and efficient care, embedding the Integrated Care Model, the Devon deal (a citizen-led approach to health and care), Children and young people, Digital Devon and ensuring Equality.
About NHS Devon
As part of the Devon ICS, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board is responsible for the majority of county's NHS budget, and develops a plan to improve peoples health, deliver high-quality care and better value for money. The organisation is led by a diverse board, with an aim to improve peoples lives in Devon wherever they live, to reduce health inequalities and make sure we can deliver these services for the long term. For more information, visit our website www.onedevon.org.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Eligibility to Work in the UK Important Information NHS Devon does not currently hold a sponsorship license to support visa applications. We have been able to successfully meet our recruitment needs without the requirement for visa sponsorship. As such, we are only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the appropriate legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcome applications from all qualified individuals who meet this requirement. Thank you for your understanding.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.
Vacancies may close early if a high volume of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Eligibility to Work in the UK Important Information NHS Devon does not currently hold a sponsorship license to support visa applications. We have been able to successfully meet our recruitment needs without the requirement for visa sponsorship. As such, we are only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the appropriate legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcome applications from all qualified individuals who meet this requirement. Thank you for your understanding.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and responsibilities.
Vacancies may close early if a high volume of applications are received.
Person Specification
Experience, Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to masters' level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
- Chartered Member of CIPD (MCIPD) or equivalent experience.
- Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through a post graduate qualification or equivalent experience or training.
- Highly developed HR knowledge gained through theoretical learning and extensive HR generalist experience.
- Experience of and ability to manage and develop workforce data, systems, HR metrics, data analysis and reporting.
- Experience of working with performance metrics to guide and inform strategy.
- Experience of managing change management in a complex environment.
- Demonstrable generalist HR experience with experience of competence across the range of HR functions providing specialist HR advice to services and managers.
- An understanding of the relationship between NHS organisations and wider system, regional and national organisations.
- Extensive knowledge of Agenda for Change, NHS Terms & Conditions Handbook.
- Proven ability to effectively manage a range of situations that may evoke a strong emotional reaction.
- Current excellent knowledge of employment legislation, case law and good HR practice
- Ability to foster powerful and productive working relationships internally and externally.
- Ability to work with unpredictable situations and under pressure and to tight deadlines with frequent interruptions.
- Ability to oversee and be responsible for a budget for a department and/or service.
- Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment.
- Significant experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.
- Experience of managing risks and reporting.
- Experience of developing briefing papers and correspondence at SLT or chief officer level.
- Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Knowledge and experience of using HR information systems including electronic staff records.
- Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment.
- Understanding of the public sector.
Communication Skills
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
- Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required, to aid decision making.
- Skilled communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management.
- Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence where there may be barriers to understanding.
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
Analytical Skills
Essential
- Experience of identifying and interpreting National policy.
- Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve improved performance (advising on policy implementation, where applicable).
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
- Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making.
- Numerate and able to understand complex issues combined with deep analytical skills.
Planning Skills
Essential
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
- Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and managing successful projects.
Management Skills
Essential
- Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others.
- Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.
Autonomy / Freedom to Act
Essential
- Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to relevant manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and/or compliance to policies.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills, with the ability to learn/use a range of software.
Other
Essential
- Operate effectively in a demanding environment.
- Strong adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions.
- An ability to develop and maintain confidentiality and trust.
- Professional calm and efficient manner.
- Effective organiser, influencer and networker.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals.
Person Specification
Experience, Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to masters' level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
- Chartered Member of CIPD (MCIPD) or equivalent experience.
- Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through a post graduate qualification or equivalent experience or training.
- Highly developed HR knowledge gained through theoretical learning and extensive HR generalist experience.
- Experience of and ability to manage and develop workforce data, systems, HR metrics, data analysis and reporting.
- Experience of working with performance metrics to guide and inform strategy.
- Experience of managing change management in a complex environment.
- Demonstrable generalist HR experience with experience of competence across the range of HR functions providing specialist HR advice to services and managers.
- An understanding of the relationship between NHS organisations and wider system, regional and national organisations.
- Extensive knowledge of Agenda for Change, NHS Terms & Conditions Handbook.
- Proven ability to effectively manage a range of situations that may evoke a strong emotional reaction.
- Current excellent knowledge of employment legislation, case law and good HR practice
- Ability to foster powerful and productive working relationships internally and externally.
- Ability to work with unpredictable situations and under pressure and to tight deadlines with frequent interruptions.
- Ability to oversee and be responsible for a budget for a department and/or service.
- Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment.
- Significant experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.
- Experience of managing risks and reporting.
- Experience of developing briefing papers and correspondence at SLT or chief officer level.
- Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Knowledge and experience of using HR information systems including electronic staff records.
- Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment.
- Understanding of the public sector.
Communication Skills
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
- Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required, to aid decision making.
- Skilled communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management.
- Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence where there may be barriers to understanding.
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
Analytical Skills
Essential
- Experience of identifying and interpreting National policy.
- Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve improved performance (advising on policy implementation, where applicable).
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
- Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making.
- Numerate and able to understand complex issues combined with deep analytical skills.
Planning Skills
Essential
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
- Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and managing successful projects.
Management Skills
Essential
- Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others.
- Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.
Autonomy / Freedom to Act
Essential
- Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to relevant manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and/or compliance to policies.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Standard keyboard skills, with the ability to learn/use a range of software.
Other
Essential
- Operate effectively in a demanding environment.
- Strong adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions.
- An ability to develop and maintain confidentiality and trust.
- Professional calm and efficient manner.
- Effective organiser, influencer and networker.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
