Salary range: £31,662 - £42,580

Contract type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Central London (IFS operates a hybrid working policy with up to two out of five days working at home, after the probationary period)

Closing date: 8 June

Interviews: 15 and 16 June, in person at the IFS office

Starting date: as soon as possible

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) is the UK's leading independent economic research institute. We produce rigorous, high-quality research on tax, public spending, welfare, education and living standards, and we are committed to making that research accessible and useful to policymakers, journalists and the public. Our work shapes some of the most important policy debates in the country, and behind that work is a dedicated team of economists and professional staff.

Our professional services team keeps things running with operations, finance, ICT and communications, as well as providing specialist support around research funding and research data. The team works closely with researchers and academic affiliates in our open-plan, friendly office in central London.

We are now looking for an HR Officer to join our Operations team, reporting to the Director of Operations. This is a hands-on, varied role that sits at the heart of the organisation, supporting the full range of HR functions — from recruitment and onboarding through to training and performance reviews, policy compliance and day-to-day HR queries. You will be the first point of contact for HR matters for all IFS staff, and you will work closely with managers and senior leadership to ensure our people processes run smoothly and to a high standard.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with some HR experience who is looking to develop their career in a supportive, intellectually stimulating environment. We are committed to the professional development of our staff and there may be an opportunity for the postholder to undertake further CIPD training.

If you are organised, personable and take pride in getting things right, we would love to hear from you.

Candidates will start somewhere on the salary range advertised, depending on experience. There is the opportunity to progress each year up the range, which is uprated each year to reflect the cost of living.

Purpose of the role for IFS

The purpose of the role is to ensure that recruitment, onboarding and the human resources run efficiently.

Key areas of responsibility

The postholder runs HR-related processes: recruitment, performance reviews and induction and training programmes. They ensure that recruitment and training committees meet regularly and contribute to the meetings. They are also responsible for drawing up contracts for new starters, applying for visas where needed, and overseeing the onboarding process. The HR Officer assists staff with relevant enquiries and supports the Director of Operations in ensuring that HR policies are compliant with the law, appropriate to the organisation and well communicated to staff.

• Helping to plan, and administering, end-to-end staff recruitment: supporting managers in placing advertisements, managing the annual recruitment round at universities, communicating with candidates and supporting the selection process to successful appointment.

• Supporting and contributing to recruitment committee meetings.

• Handling internship and work experience applications.

• Helping ensure recruitment processes are fair, consistent, inclusive and aligned with IFS’s recruitment and EDI principles.

• Administering the process of pre-employment and on-going checks, including references, right to work checks, and Disclosure & Barring Service disclosures.

• Drafting offers of employment and employment contracts.

• Taking care of the onboarding process for new starters, communicating with managers and new started, and keeping a record of checks made and forms signed.

• Ensuring compliance of mandatory training (e.g. GDPR, BPSS clearance)

• Organising appropriate induction schedules (including day formalities for new staff: introductions, building familiarisation, door access, desk arrangements, IT access and mandatory training) and liaising with line managers about this. Co-ordinating the IFS training schedule, ensuring sessions are scheduled well in advance and that attendees and presenters are informed.

• Organising relevant health and safety training for staff as required, including first aid and fire safety, and keeping a record of training

• Managing probation processes.

• Ensuring that all Health and Safety records are kept up to date.

• Managing leavers in accordance with procedures.

• Supporting and contributing to training committee meetings.

• Being the main day-to-day HR contact for all IFS staff, providing support or passing the enquiry to colleagues when needed.

• Ensuring that the finance team receive the correct information to enable them to process payroll and pensions each month.

• Responding to incoming requests for information e.g. references, landlord/mortgage enquires in a timely manner.

• Keeping staff records and information about staff changes and leavers up-to-date and can be shared appropriately when needed. Processing changes, amendments and updates to HR templates.

• Ensuring that HR information on the intranet and internet data up to date, with support from the office administrator.

• Co-ordinating and supporting the annual performance appraisal process.

• Working with the Head of Operations, staff reps and senior management to review HR policies.

• Supporting and contributing to wellbeing committee meetings.

Key skills and competencies needed

The postholder should have experience of working in an HR-related role and/or a relevant qualification. They should also have an interest in working in a research environment and a desire to support academic impact. The job involves careful management of information, gathering, checking and updating records, so they should find satisfaction in doing this kind of work accurately and efficiently. The job holder works collaboratively with different teams at IFS and should be comfortable communicating with a range of colleagues. The job holder will keep up to date with relevant changes in UK employment law and HR good practice and assist with communicating policy changes clearly to staff and managers.

• HR experience, formal CIPD qualification or relevant degree

• Friendly, competent manner which inspires confidence in others, and sensitivity and understanding of confidentiality

• Confidence in dealing with colleagues at all levels

• Good accuracy and attention to detail

• Good written and oral communication skills

• Numerate, with experience of using spreadsheets

• Confidence using Microsoft 365, including Excel and Sharepoint

• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise

• Collaborative team player with flexible attitude, and willingness to muck in

• Keen self-starter with ability to manage own workload, often under pressure

• Experience of working in human resources

• Experience of working in an organisation of a similar size to the IFS

• Knowledge of employment good practice and law

• Knowledge of Oracle Netsuite or similar HRIS

IFS has an active social calendar with weekly teatimes, sports groups and after-work activities for a variety of interests. 

Interviews will be held in person at our London office on 15 and 16 June.  

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.