HR Manager

JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for a proactive, inclusive and insightful HR generalist to join us as we develop our People function. This new role reports to the Director of People and will manage day-to-day HR advisory and operational support for the organisation, as well as a range of forward-thinking projects, as we continually align our People policies and practice with the strategic goals of the charity. You will partner closely with department heads, line managers and staff to develop confidence in and understanding of our policies and practices. An experienced HR generalist who is passionate about supporting the organisation and individuals within it to develop, you’ll be an empathetic and skilled relationship builder, and have experience in leading a range of HR improvement projects. You’ll have strong problem-solving skills, an aptitude for data, a test and learn approach and an eye for detail.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO  

United Kingdom for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the United Kingdom. We generate public awareness of the plight of refugees and raise funds to help protect them through UNHCR’s humanitarian operations across the world.

Our supporters include UK private individuals, communities, corporate partners, trusts and foundations. The funds we raise help UNHCR deliver emergency relief such as shelter, medical care and basic supplies to people fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as healthcare, education and livelihoods opportunities for those who remain displaced over the long term.

Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but we can all play a part in their protection, and we want those who work with us to share our values and passion for the cause.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

We strongly value diversity and recognise that it is critical to our success and the cause that we serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all who work with us and strongly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of being a refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person, or a stateless person.  

UK for UNHCR is proud to have Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. The Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is a group of colleagues focusing on tasks that drive action in the implementation of our D&I Approach.  The group also works to create safe spaces that brings colleagues together for events, discussions and learning experiences that celebrate and support diversity and tackle barriers to inclusion. 

We are also open to flexibility in many ways, including an element of working from home and flexible hours. Please don’t be afraid to speak to us about this at the interview stage, so we can explore what’s possible.

Role Responsibilities  

• Manage and/or advise on employee relations casework including dispute resolution, disciplinaries, grievances, absence, change management processes.
• Responsible for overseeing the HRIS system, ensuring it is used effectively, information is up to date and compliant.
• Produce and use People data to analyse trends and help make decisions. To include producing dashboards for managers, the SMT and the Board where required.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of key activities in the HR calendar such as the employee engagement survey and the appraisal process.
• Develop and evaluate the confidence and capability of managers and staff in our People practices.
• Develop, update and communicate our People policies and procedures, in line with organisational strategy, best practice and employment legislation.
• Ensure our People practices have safety, diversity, equity and inclusion at their core.
• Provide first line advice on our Total Reward offer to managers and staff, and liaise with benefits suppliers.
• Support managers in recruitment processes, ensuring compliance, best practice and use of appropriate metrics to continually inform our recruitment strategy.
• Use and update reward benchmarking in line with our reward policy.
• Work with and develop competency frameworks and development pathways and advise staff and managers around these.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to perform duties that are not detailed above.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE

Essential Experience

• Minimum level 5 CIPD qualified or equivalent proven generalist HR experience.
• Advising and leading on a range of informal and formal employee relations cases.
• Design and delivery of HR process reviews and improvements.
• Experienced in developing and supporting managers and staff through change.
• Experienced in advising managers and staff around performance management.
• Scoping, managing and overseeing delivery of a varied range of HR projects to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.

Essential Skills/Knowledge 

• Solid knowledge of UK employment and relevant data protection legislation and its application.
• Skilled in using HRIS systems and using them for reporting and streamlining processes.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office suite, including SharePoint.
• Knowledge and experience of using reward data and benchmarking tools.
• Understanding of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion considerations and best practice.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding principles and practice.
• Skilled in using HR analytics to enhance decision making and provide insights.
• Strong proactive customer service and relationship building skills and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A growth mindset, open to giving and receiving feedback.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Lived experience of or a strong affinity to the refugee cause.
• Understanding and experience of competency frameworks.
• Experience of basic design and delivery of learning and development initiatives.
• Experience of line managing or task managing the work of others.
• Experience of taking a coaching approach to develop others.
• Working towards or interest in development towards level 7 CIPD.

 
WHY JOIN UNITED KINGDOM FOR UNHCR?

You will be part of a high performing agile team of talented people, all committed to build solidarity and raise funds for refugees and displaced people worldwide. You will be working in a flexible, supportive, and inclusive environment, where your work will be recognised and appraised.

What else?

Wellbeing

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays.
• Employee Assistance programme providing 24/7 access to online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing.
• Access to 100s of perks with discounts on everyday purchases.
• Office wellness perks.
• Discount on gym memberships.
• Hybrid and Flexible Working.
• Staff socials.

Financial

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8%.
• Non-contributory group life assurance scheme.
• Non-contributory Income protection scheme.
• One-off contribution towards homeworking set up.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Enhanced sick pay scheme.

Development

• Comprehensive training and continuing development opportunities.
• Individual training budget.

HOW TO APPLY

If you have the relevant skills and the passion to use them to support refugees, please apply by completing our application form which is available in the documents section.   

Closing date: Midnight 19th March 2025.

Interviews date: w/c 24th March/first week of April.

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation, please contact us using the email address provided when you click through to our online portal.  We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible. 
 

United Kingdom for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales), charity no. 1183415. It is the UK national partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency.