Location

Swansea, Wales, SA6 7JL

About the job Job description

Do you have a broad knowledge and experience of working within the HR profession? 

Are you passionate about coaching and developing within a HR environment? 

If so, we would love to hear from you. 

We are looking for an HR Adviser to join our Department for Transport (DfT) HR Advice Team. The DfT HR Advice Service is a constantly evolving and challenging environment and provides an exciting place to work if you have a passion for HR and for helping colleagues. 

The DfT HR Advice Service provides a centralised, focal point for all staff to obtain advice and support with general HR related queries. DfT comprises a Central Department in London and four Executive Agencies; the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). 

You will provide expert policy and procedural advice that is legally compliant and business focussed, to a wide range of people at all levels. You will use a number of different communication channels, such as, the telephone, web chat and emails. You will also provide coaching to line managers in the business with the aim of developing and improving their confidence and capability in dealing with HR issues. 

Developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with your team and with the wider HR community and business colleagues is imperative for you to successfully undertake this role. 

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Providing the day to day operational HR Advice Service provision, ensuring the service is available to DfT staff between 9am and 4pm (Monday to Friday) 
• Researching and interpreting policy and guidance to provide accurate HR advice to DfT staff 
• Providing expert and timely responses to enquiries from DfT staff, in line with service level agreements 
• Proactively offer coaching to line managers dealing with staff on sick absence and supporting them to facilitate a return to work 
• Providing coaching and support to line managers holding difficult conversations with their staff and where there is a serious concern for someone’s well being 
• Suggesting and implementing improvements to working practices within the HR Advice Team which provide better support for our customers and adds value for money 
• Analysing data and identifying trends to raise with appropriate HR or business specialists to facilitate resolution and fill knowledge gaps. 
• Keeping up to date with employment law and policy changes across DfT ensuring that current HR advice is provided. 

You must be able to work during our core service hours of 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be required to travel occasionally with some overnight stays. 

About you 

You have previous experience of providing HR advice across a broad range of HR related topics and have a solid working knowledge of employment law. You have experience of providing coaching to managers at all levels to build capability and understanding. You have experience of providing an operational advice service using multi enquiry channels, remaining calm and composed under pressure and ensuring service level agreements are met. 

With exceptional interpersonal skills, you have the ability to communicate to a wide audience using multiple communication channels. You are confident dealing with people over the telephone, displaying active listening skills and sensitivity. 

You have the capability to complete research and interpret appropriate information from a variety of sources, demonstrating discretion and consideration towards confidential information. 

A team player with excellent organisational skills, you accommodate changing team requirements and priorities. You are proficient with the use of Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint. 

About us 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

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

When considering your experience, please tailor your CV and personal statement to provide evidence of when you have: 

• Provided HR advice across a broad range of HR related issues 
• Provided effective coaching to upskill managers at all levels 
• Successfully worked as part of a team to deliver service level agreements 
• Built trusted working relationships through telephone contact 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include: 

• an interview 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 
• what energises and motivates you 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants

For further information on this vacancy please contact - [email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place 22/07/2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held on 06/08/2019 and 07/08/2019. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

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

Further information

Whilst this role is advertised as Department for Transport (DfT), successful candidates will be on DVLA terms and conditions. 

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

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 interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional 

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. 

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 

Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: 
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission 

Any move to the Department for Transport (DfT) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.