Human Resources Officer (Employee Relations)

JOB TITLE: Human Resources Officer (Employee Relations) TEAM: Human Resources REPORTS TO: Human Resources Manager JOB PURPOSE: - To support the day-to-day operation of the Ascension Island Government’s Human Resources function. - To support the Human Resources Manager with employee relations casework, taking a leading role in investigations and disciplinary matters where appropriate, in line with the ACAS Code of Practice and CIPD best practice. MAIN DUTIES: - Undertake duties supporting the recruitment and selection function including drafting and placing adverts; DBS, vetting and pre-employment checks; chasing references; arranging short-listing and interview packs; contacting candidates and managers; and any other associated duties. - Maintain HR records, both electronically and paper-based, ensuring the most efficient systems for recording and regular reporting are in place and offering ideas and solutions to make improvements. - Provide administrative support to the AIG appraisal system, including preparing paperwork, issuing reminders and collating completed appraisals. - Coordinate the probationary period process across AIG, keeping a close watch on time frames, chasing line managers for outstanding reviews, and pre-empting and escalating potential issued to the Human Resources Manager as appropriate. - Provide wider administrative support to the HR team, including drafting correspondence, distributing information, filing, organising meetings and taking notes at disciplinary proceedings. - Manage safeguarding compliance, including maintaining training records, collecting signed Codes of Conduct, and ensuring Youth Trainee placements are in line with relevant policies and have the required Administrator approval. - Support the delivery of employee relations casework, including assisting with grievance, disciplinary and capability procedures; organising hearings; and taking notes at disciplinary and grievance proceedings. - Act as an Investigating Officer for disciplinary and grievance investigations as required, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and producing clear, well-structured investigation reports. - Assist with report writing across HR functions, including investigation reports, HR management information reports and briefing papers for management. - Provide first-line advice and guidance to line managers and staff on disciplinary matters and employment relations best practice, escalating complex or high-risk cases to the HR Manager as appropriate. - Provide onboarding support to successful candidates, maintaining contact and keeping them informed throughout the government’s pre-employment checks process, and coordinating induction arrangements and new starter documentation ahead of their start date. - Act as the first point of contact for staff enquiries, providing guidance on the Code of Management and related policies. - Prepare starter and leaver documentation, payroll change notifications (PCNs) and associated payroll information for authorised signature by the Human Resources Manager or Director of Resources before sending to Finance. - Cover for the HR Officer during periods of leave or absence. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: - Health and safety – to share in the corporate responsibility for the safety of staff and visitors to the office/work environment. - Employee relations – to handle employee relations casework and investigations with impartiality, fairness and sound professional judgement. - Confidentiality – treat all information encountered in this role as confidential, including employee relations casework and workplace conversations, and exercise discretion and sound judgement at all times. - Continuous development – take responsibility for your own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and attend any training course specified by AIG to support the further development of the role.