Job Description

Full time or part time, part time minimum of 28 hours per week.

Overall purpose:

To assist in providing a professional and proactive Human Resources (HR) service to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB).

To act as the local specialist for all aspects of recruitment, immigration and training, liaising closely with local Stakeholders, UK Shared Business Services (UKSBS) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The role will be split between generalist HR support to an allocated area of the LMB, and training for the entire organisation. It is expected that the split will be 50% generalist and 50% training.

To support the HR Management team in the application of HR policies and procedures to the Director, Group Leaders, Managers, Divisional Administrators and employees.

Main duties / key responsibilities:

Generalist

• To provide comprehensive and professional HR advice to LMB Administrators and Managers ensuring adherence to UKRI policies and legislation to enable effective HR management across the Institute. You will be the professional voice of HR and should communicate appropriately upholding the reputation of the HR Department. Any escalation of complicated HR matters to the Deputy Head of HR – Operations should be judged and timed appropriately.

• To be responsible for overseeing the full life cycle of recruitment, acting as the escalation point for complex recruitment matters. You will also represent the HR department on interview panels.

• To act as a local expert on UK Immigration requirements overseeing the end-to-end process. This includes advising on the appropriate route, eligibility and application procedure to employees, visiting workers and their dependents. You will be responsible for ensuring employees and visiting workers meet UK immigration requirements in relation to Legislation.

• To monitor sickness absence levels for the LMB according to the UKRI Sickness Absence Policy. To provide advice and support to managers on sickness absence management issues where necessary, including practical involvement in meetings and discussions. Ensure that cases are managed effectively, liaising with both the Health and Safety department and Occupational Health so that referrals are completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

• To undertake case and project work as required including disciplinary, grievance, redundancy and sickness absence cases. This will involve monitoring, meetings with employees and managers, and ad hoc report writing. Projects are likely to include Training initiatives, intranet reviews etc.

• To support the HR Management team in the implementation of all HR policies and the management of HR throughout the Institute.

Training

• Schedule regular and ad hoc training courses based on local training needs and previous demand. Schedule additional/ad hoc events as required, taking a key role in the design and development stages where new offerings are explored.

• Run scheduled courses effectively, by advertising to a target audience, as well as making any necessary arrangements as required depending on the format of the event e.g. MS Teams arrangements, booking rooms, catering, parking, accommodation and equipment.

• Manage the MRC’s development commitment to Postdoctoral Scientists by co-ordinating, delivering and administering the mandatory Postdoc Inductions and continuing the development and co-ordination of the MRC’s Postdoc Early Career development event.

• Be the first point of contact with UKRI L&D Team for the LMB in the provision of training courses.

• Provide L&D advice on a daily basis to employees and their Managers/Group Leaders for both internal and external activities.

• Attend and actively participate in the UKRI L&D Forum, ensuring the LMB’s needs are understood. Addressing actions and informing the Deputy Head of HR – Organisational Development of significant developments.

• Build links with external organisations to improve LMB staff access to relevant external training, promoting available training events and booking instructions as required.

• Liaise with other MRC Institutes regarding L&D activities, sharing information and course places as appropriate.

• As the Oracle Fusion Learn Specialist, manage the booking and recording of training on the system as required. Being the point of contact for any booking queries and data management.

• Generate ad hoc reports summarising those who have attended mandatory training courses such as Recruitment and Equality and Diversity training.

• Monitor L&D budget spend, ensuring the appropriate approvals are in place.

Working relationships:

You will be line managed by the Deputy Head of HR – Organisational Development, with a dotted line to the Deputy Head of HR – Operations.

You will work closely with the other retained HR staff at the LMB. You will be responsible for the daily supervision of the Recruitment Assistant and HR Assistant alongside the other HR Advisors. The position may include formal line management of one of the Assistants, providing guidance and advice where necessary.

You will have daily interaction with the HR team, LMB Group Leaders, Divisional Administrators, other LMB staff, UK Shared Business Services, UKRI and Cambridge Biomedical Campus stakeholders.

Additional information:

There is a security clearance requirement for the successful candidate (Agenda Level A).

You will need to keep up to date with all changes to UKRI and MRC policy, employment law and Immigration requirements.

There will be a need to discuss complex situations with the HR management team to seek advice and guidance.

You will be responsible for covering the other HR Advisor roles in periods of absence.

Person Specification

Education / qualifications / training required:

Essential:
• Educated to A Level standard.
• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable: CIPD Chartered Member.

Previous work experience required:

Essential:
• Recent experience of working in an HR environment.
• Experience of supporting and advising on recruitment processes.
• Recent experience of providing generalist HR advice.
• Current knowledge of relevant legislation and HR practices.

Desirable:
• Experience in, and knowledge of Learning and Development.
• Experience of working in a Laboratory/ academic or Public Sector environment.
• Working knowledge of UK Immigration rules and processes.
• Previous line management/supervisory experience.

Knowledge and experience:

Creativity and initiative
Essential:
• Experienced in applying HR policies and practices in a busy and complex working environment. Ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions where necessary.
• Ability to effectively manage employee relations case work such as sickness absence and performance management.

Independent working
Essential:
• Ability to use own initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to cope successfully with conflicting demands, multiple events and working to tight deadlines.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to apply them whilst working under pressure.

Verbal and written communication skills
Essential: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication style appropriately for the audience.

Desirable: Presentation skills.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:

Essential:
• Professional approach and ability to lead by example to uphold the reputation of the department.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement whilst sometimes working under pressure.
• Ability to apply diplomacy and patience in difficult situations.
• Good attention to detail.
• Strong team player.
• Committed to Continuous Professional Development.
• Computer literate with experience of Microsoft and HR Information Systems.

Desirable: An interest in the scientific environment and work of the LMB, MRC and UKRI as a whole.

Additional information:

This role is busy and varied. A professional approach to HR situations is essential as is being a role model to others in the department and the wider Institute.

Corporate Responsibilities

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:
• Code of Conduct
• Equality and Diversity policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

s should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.