A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, enthusiastic and generalist People Advisor to join our busy HR Team at Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Diocesan Board of Finance (LDBF)

Working collaboratively with the HR Manager and Snr HR Administrator, the People Advisor will provide a comprehensive and professional service on all aspects of HR, including supporting line managers with Absence Management, Recruitment and Employee Relations, whilst working with people to find the best solutions for them and the organisation.

Closing date: Sunday 3^rd December 2023 at midnight

Key responsibilities include:

Diocesan Board of Finance & Liverpool Cathedral

• Be responsible for giving advice to Managers of LDBF and Liverpool Cathedral on all aspects relating to the appointment of lay employees, their terms and conditions of employment, and their training and development.
• Provide support and advice for management in the recruitment and selection of employees, advising on interview techniques and procedures, preparation of advertisements on internal and external recruitment sites, job descriptions, person specifications, interview questions / exercises and contracts and attend recruitment assessments as required.
• Co-ordinate and advise line managers on the induction and support for new employees
• Develop relationships with employees across both organisations in order to provide advice on HR matters and organisational issues
• Provide advice in key areas of employee management, training and development, pay and reward policies, appraisal procedures, performance management, disciplinary and grievance procedures, arbitration, restructuring and occupational health & safety.
• Undertake investigations and present supporting documentation
• Provide specific advice and support on disciplinary and grievance issues, overseeing the process and keeping all relevant paperwork.
• Provide specific advice on absence management, obtaining medical information and overseeing the referrals to occupational health as necessary.
• Provide on-going advice on best practice approaches, developments in employment law, employee relations and current thinking on HR strategies.
• Develop new and regularly review existing policies and procedures to ensure they follow legal and best practice guidelines whilst meeting the changing needs of the Cathedral and the Diocese.

Clergy

• To advise and support the Archdeacons on absence management issues including requirements regarding occupational health issues in relation to clergy and ill health retirements.
• Work collaboratively with the Appointments Secretary to ensure Clergy absence and payroll matters are accurately recorded.
• Work collaboratively with the PA to Archdeacons to ensure clergy absence matters are monitored
• Act as back up for the People System to the Bishops PAs
• To be responsible for a programme of training across the Diocese in HR issues as needs arise.

Parishes

• To provide a generalist HR service for parishes in relation to signposting on the appointment of employees and on employee relations matters in general.

General

• Ensure HR records for all workers in terms of paper and electronic systems are maintained, regularly reviewed and GDPR compliant including a good working knowledge of HR Software
• Collaboratively work alongside the Finance Team to ensure payroll records are accurate and meet audit requirements.
• Collaboratively work alongside the Safeguarding Team in areas where there is or may be an HR aspect to safeguarding cases.
• Liaise with the Communications Department regarding all recruitment advertisements placed.
• Liaise with others in the Church of England who have a responsibility for providing professional HR advice.
• Work with the HR staff in the other Dioceses in the North West region to establish common or best practices and to identify opportunities to share resources where appropriate.
• To keep up to date with developments in employment law
• To undertake training as required, to undertake other duties and tasks as the management may from time to time require

The post holder must be in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England

Essential Requirements

• HR qualifications equivalent to NVQ Level 5 or above
• Educated to A Level Standard
• Working with Microsoft Office 365 Working in a HR Generalist role
• Working collaboratively in a team
• Experience and knowledge of good practice in recruitment and selection.
• Experience and interest in managing employee wellbeing
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and professional when communicating challenging situations
• Good working knowledge of employment law
• Good IT skills with an ability to use Microsoft Office / HR Systems
• Awareness of safeguarding and it’s place in an organisation
• A good understanding of how organisational values are integrated into routine working practices
• Understanding of confidentiality and legal issues connected with GDPR, Health and Safety
• Self-motivated and able to work comfortably with competing priorities
• Team orientated with an ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people
• Excellent planning and organisation skills with an ability to meet deadlines
• High degree of empathy / diplomacy and ability to listen
• Honest and trustworthy with a strong sense of ethical and professional behaviour ensuring that confidentiality and ethical standards are met
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships at all levels
• Flexible and adaptable – able to manage the HR needs of two organisations and cultures
• Positive with a ‘can-do’ attitude
• An understanding and commitment to the ethos and values of the Diocese and the Cathedral

Desirable Requirements

• A CIPD professional qualification and relevant membership (a)
• Mental Health First Aid
• We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and so any experience of diversity initiatives would be helpful
• An excellent understanding of safeguarding practices and safer recruitment requirements
• A faith in God
• Full driving licence and own transport.

Please see attached Person Specification

Diversity and inclusion are very important to us at Liverpool Diocese and we want everyone to be themselves at work with a culture that includes everyone. Our policies ensure that every candidate and employee are treated fairly and with equal opportunities.

What we offer:

• 25 days annual leave pro-rata, plus up to 3 days over the Christmas period
• Non-contributory pension scheme with generous employer contributions (additional voluntary contributions may be made)
• Employee Assistance Programme giving you 24-hour access to support for your health and wellbeing
• A supportive culture that values work-life balance including flexible working around core hours in a 35-hour week
• Employee discount in Cathedral shop and bistro
• Free on-site parking, secure bike storage and easy access to public transport

About the Diocese of Liverpool

The Diocese of Liverpool is the Church of England in a corner of the north west with churches from Southport to Widnes; Wigan to Warrington and throughout the city of Liverpool all working their hardest to fulfil our vision of asking God for a bigger church making a bigger difference with more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world.

As we work towards that vision we have four priorities

1. Introducing people to Jesus
2. Deepening discipleship
3. Developing Christian leaders
4. Working for justice

The diocesan offices provide essential support services to our parishes with many specialist staff offering expert support to our frontline parishes. We have a reputation for being a creative organisation securing national church backing for a range of innovative projects.

We are a small, supportive team offering a flexible approach. We have adopted a hybrid model balancing office based with home-based working. We are serious about the work life balance with generous holiday allowances and access to an Employee Assistance Programme. Diocesan staff have a strong working relationship with Liverpool Cathedral and our offices sit in the shadow of this magnificent iconic building.

For more information visit our website www.liverpool.anglican.org

Liverpool Diocese Values

Our values underpin the culture of working for the Diocese of Liverpool at St James House.

Our values are:

Dynamic: This means we are creative, open minded and willing to adapt for the good of the organisation. We make things happen, embrace and drive change and do great things with enthusiasm, passion and enjoyment.

Respectful: This means we respect and value the contribution of all colleagues and treat each other and those we serve with respect, courtesy and warmth. We try to respond promptly and appropriately to requests from others

Professional: This means what we do, we do well and perform to the best of our ability, ensuring our knowledge is kept up to date. We demonstrate a ‘can-do’ attitude and take ownership of issues, aiming to exceed expectations

Collaborative: This means we willingly share ideas, knowledge, expertise and experience and seek to understand and work with other teams. We help, support and guide each other, believing we do it better together.