About Us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high quality, evidence-informed teacher education, and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.   

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic team player to join us in the newly developed People and Culture team as a HR Assistant.

As one of two HR Assistant, you will be responsible for working with the senior leaders and line managers within our Northern Regions, to recruitment and onboard new employees and provide support, advice and guidance on a range of employment matters. As a start-up organisation, we are in the early stages of creating our People and Culture strategy and embedding new policies and procedures. It is an exciting time to join the team and to be part of a developing organisation.

The ideal candidate will have worked in a HR environment and understand basic employment law, however experience in managing casework is not desirable. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is looking for the next step in their career and would like to develop into an employee relations role with guidance and support from the Head of People.

This role is a Hybrid role and will need to be in commutable distance to our offices in either Doncaster, Birmingham or Blackburn as your base office, and you will be in the base office roughly once week. Travel will then be required to other NIoT offices as the need arises due to casework needs.

Support to gain the CIPD qualification will be provided as an apprenticeship.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Claire Cork, Head of People, c.cork@niot.org.uk

The closing date is 14 July 2024, with interviews being held on 22 or 23 July 2024.

Corporate Responsibilities

• To ensure that the responsibilities of the role are carried out in a way which reflects the mission and the values of the NIoT.  

• To be aware of and observe all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, and in particular to comply with policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Financial Regulations, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.  

• To comply with all reasonable management requests. 

Key Responsibilities 

Casework

• Under the guidance of the Head of People, provide support, advice and guidance to line managers and employees within your cluster of departments/regions. This will be on all employment matters, ensuring that advice given is fully compliant with good practice, precedent, NIoT policies and prevailing employment law.

• To support with HR casework within the allocated cluster of departments/regions including disciplinary procedures, grievances, investigations, absence management, phased returns etc.

• To develop and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with line managers, supporting them to identify and implement appropriate and innovative solutions to people issues, sharing good practice.

• To ensure that absence is accurately recorded in your cluster undertaking an absence analysis on a monthly basis and next steps are taken as a result. This includes supporting managers as defined within the NIoT absence management procedure at all stages of the process to ensure compliance.

• To oversee and manage maternity, paternity, and all family friendly and special arrangements in accordance with NIoT policies including ensuring that appropriate documentation is held and providing responses to requests for any leave following consultation with the line manager/Executive Team.

• To ensure that probationary reviews are completed to timescale with appropriate follow up action taken for all new employees where reviews have not been completed.

• To make referrals to Occupational Health and follow up any action required with the line manager and the employee.

• To manage the process of fixed term contract reviews for your cluster.  

• To respond to questions from employees to HR on any employment matters.

• To support the cluster as required to deliver great customer service from the HR team.

Recruitment Employee Life Cycle

• To oversee the recruitment process for your cluster, acting as the key point of contact for line managers.

• To ensure that safer recruitment procedures are complied with throughout the entire recruitment process.

• To ensure that new starter checks are completed thoroughly for your cluster and that Safeguarding, DBS and Right to work checks comply with statutory requirements, including completion of the Single Central Record.

• To maintain records and report on pay movements and contractual changes, inputting information into the HR/Payroll system and Teams as appropriate.

• To ensure that all employee files within your cluster contain the required information and are well maintained and checked through HR file reviews.

• To ensure files and records are in good order for external inspection and audit.

• To ensure all starters, leavers and changes are processed and recorded correctly.

• To liaise with payroll on required changes to ensure all records are correct and employees are paid on time and correctly.

• To oversee exit interviews within your cluster, providing regular data.

• To monitor and respond to queries from the HR and Recruitment inbox and phone line.

• To support the Head of People with reports for the Executive Team and KPI’s.

• To support the Head of People with any harmonisation or contractual changes required in your cluster.

Essential Criteria 

• CIPD Level 3 Qualification or willingness to work towards.

• Experience of working in a Human Resources related environment.

• Understanding of basic employment law.

• Knowledge and understanding of key HR processes e.g. recruitment, appraisals, absence management.

• Ability to use initiative to improve process and to be creative and analytical in order to find solutions to HR issues.

• Courteous and effective when dealing with people, able to exchange information in a tactful and diplomatic manner.

• Ability to work quickly, methodically and accurately under pressure and act flexibly to support others and respond to unplanned situations.

• Experience of HR systems and databases as well as excellent computer literacy. 

• A commitment to the aims of the National Institute of Teaching.

• An interest in the education sector and a belief in the value of teachers and school leaders.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Proficient in the use of MS Office software packages, such as Word, Excel and Outlook, as well as search engines and online databases.  

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience working in a school or similar establishment.

• Working knowledge of relevant HR issues and an up-to-date understanding of HR good practice.

• Experience of working with payroll system and basic knowledge of PAYE.

Diversity and Inclusion

The National Institute of Teaching is committed to creating a diverse environment and ensuring that all qualified applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices and are open to job shares, secondments, part-time, and flexible working schedules.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

Notes:  

This document is an overview of the role.  

The responsibilities will include but will not be limited to those listed above and it is anticipated that the role will evolve over time and as such the duties may change.  

This document does not form part of the contract of employment.  

This post requires a satisfactory references, a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.