HR Complex Casework and Advice Manager – Department for International Development – Darlington

Job summary

This recruitment is continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be located in the new Department for Business and Trade. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the DIT HR Casework and Advice Service for a new SEO Casework and Advice Lead. The role is new and part of a growing team that sits within the HR Operations Team that reports into the HR Strategy, Insights and Services Deputy Director. 

The role will involve;

Managing a small number of Casework Coordinators/HR Advisors.

Leading work to continuously improve the customer experience in the context of complex HR cases and transactional HR queries.

Lead on ensuring Regular Briefings are produced for senior colleagues e.g. Deputy Directors, Senior HRBPs

Providing expert advice on a small number of cases that fall outside the remit of Civil Service HR Casework Team, which is provided by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). 

Contract management of external services such as Occupational Health, Civil Service Workplace Adjustments (CSWAS).

Leading on targeted interventions to build Line Manager knowledge, skills and confidence.

The role will be key in ensuring managers within DIT have the right capability to manage people issues and that they have access to the right support at the right time when managing complex HR cases.

Job description

Overseeing casework and advising on a small number of high-profile complex cases. Ensuring these are managed in a timely and effective manner, whilst adhering to employment law, departmental policies, and business need.

Continuously improving the HR Casework and Advisory Service to encourage self-service and improve the overall customer experience.

Contract management of and close engagement with external services such as; CSHR Casework, GLD, Occupational Health Service, Civil Service Workplace Adjustments Service and Civil Service Investigation Service, ensuring value for money and promotion of key provisions.

Overseeing the collection of robust data, enabling us to report to senior leaders and identify hotspots and trends.

Building relationships with HRBP and policy colleagues to ensure there is a cross-cutting approach to casework and advice.

Where cases escalate, lead on engagement and coordination of advice to senior stakeholders within HR and across DIT where required, liaising with G7 as and when required.

Day to day management and coaching of the HR Casework and Advisory Team/Acting as a deputy when required for the Head of Complex HR Casework and Advice.

Hybrid working

The role will be based in either Darlington or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role. 

Most DIT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences. 

Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual . These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Experience of managing a range of complex HR Casework, including employment tribunals, with a knowledge of current employment law and HR best practice.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of managing people is desirable.

Personal Attributes & Skills

Be self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

Be able to work well under pressure and manage competing priorities / changing deadlines.

An evidenced track record of managing service delivery through others, addressing service concerns and driving improvements.

Ability to summarise key information, facts and advice for a range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, using different formats.

Have excellent written and verbal communication skills to prepare communications appropriate to the audience.

Have excellent management skills and the ability to build supportive and professional relationships with customers and colleagues at all levels.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and Influencing

Leadership

Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

An environment with flexible working options

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

A with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Sift will take place week commencing 03/04/2023. 

Interviews will take place week commencing 17/04/2023.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a personal statement.

Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Maximum of 2 A4 pages. 

In your personal statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential and desirable requirements of the role. Maximum word count of 750. 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

There is no Visa sponsorship with this role. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Serviceon your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role

The Department for International Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. 

Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to the Department for International Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Vetting Requirements

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK. 

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. 

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected. 

If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements. 

Checks will be made against:

Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)

UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records

Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency

Security Services records

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is .

.People working with government assets must complete checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals

nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

nationals of the Republic of Ireland

nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the

relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service

relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service

certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Working for the Civil Service

The sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s .The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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