View Vacancy - MNL - Regional HR Advisor, B3(L)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
HR

The British Embassy Manila is a large diplomatic mission delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives on prosperity, security and consular matters. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy’s CORE Values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence.

Main purpose of job:

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) formed a Corporate Services Centre that deliver services on Global Transaction and Processing Centre and Regional Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement hubs based in Manila. The HR Hub provides HR services and professional HR capability to British Embassies, High Commissions and other Offices located in the Asia Pacific Region.

The Regional HR Advisor is responsible for supporting HR policy and advisory operations. The jobholder is expected to deliver HR consultancy services and exercise initiative in the processing and analysis of information. In this role, it is expected that the jobholder will use sensible judgement and discretion in the application of rules, regulations, procedures and policies to ensure these are globally applied in a consistent way and locally appropriate.

The role will be reporting to the Deputy Head of HR for APAC region and will be delivering through the HR Hub Advisory team. Strong knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, partnering with colleagues in other hubs and HRD UK are some of the key requirements of the role. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Strategic HR Advisory (60%)

  • Provide advice and share best practices on Terms and Conditions of Service, grievance procedures, tackling misconduct, managing performance, attendance, grievances employee relations and other HR practices.
  • Handle complex HR casework by providing expert advice to post management and guide decision making.
  • Liaison with colleagues and legal advisers in diplomatic missions to ensure Terms and Conditions of Services, Country-Based Staff policies and procedures are consistent with local labour law and practices.
  • Liaise with HR Direct UK and with other HR hubs on projects and issues around the development of new HR policies. Actively contribute providing feedback and participating in policy discussions.
  • Lead delivery of regional HR processes (staff set-up forms, exit questionnaires) in alignment with FCDO guidance and policies.
  • Support and monitor appraisal/review cycles with Line Managers and Senior Management at Posts.
  • Consult with all levels of Post Management concerning strategic and proactive implementation of various HR programmes to ensure compliance with ongoing initiatives and local labour law compliance in the region.
  • Ensure Service Level Agreements for HR Advisory and HR Direct are being met.
  • Effective and timely response to employee queries and handling of cases.
  • Identify and implement efficiencies to the HR service delivery process, feeding into the regionalisation model.
  • Identify areas to drive changes and standardisation; conceptualise projects and interventions; lead or co-lead project implementation.
  • Conduct job evaluation and grading reviews and provide assistance to Posts on restructuring and/or organizational change guidance.
  • Support the HR Hub goals by actively engaging in the alignment of HR services, Terms and Conditions of Service and implementing consistent HR processes in the region.
  • Support elaboration of business cases and provide data for recommending decisions.
  • Handle HR Advisory operational bottlenecks.
  • Adjust operation and implement decisions taken at a senior level.
  • Engage with a wide network of external contacts to understand and keep up-to-date with workforce regulations and HR compliance policies and issues across the region reporting as appropriate.
  • Collaborate and partner with co-HR Advisor and provide guidance to the Regional HR Officer.

Reporting of Management Information (20%)

  • Manage centralised HR Advisory database for Posts – ensure accurate collation and continuous updates of information and prepare quality checks.
  • Manage the HR enquiries operation including monthly reporting and analysis of key trends/issues. Ensuring high standards of customer service and in alignment with regionalisation model and defined SLAs.
  • Analyse Management Information data, delivering analysis reports and conclusions.
  • Ensure concerns get resolved and issues are addressed at the right level through proper documentation and escalation management.
  • Manage HR System Management activities. Liaison with HRD Super Users team on system updates and improvement areas for HR system administrators.
  • Prepare monthly reports, FAQs, analysis of key trends/issues, attrition report, exit data.
  • Consolidate HR trending topics and contribute write-ups to the Quarterly HR Newsletter.
  • Ensure all HR enquiries are resolved and logged in MS Teams.

Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

  • Prepare and deliver appropriate communications to support the delivery and correct management of HR in the region.
  • Work together with HR colleagues from Pay & Benefits and Recruitment on various HR projects, programs and  development of new HR policies.
  • Hold regular catch up calls with Posts and provide updates on HR Advisory.
  • Work closely with Corporate Services Managers, other HR strands, and interdependent teams to ensure that issues are addressed in a timely manner.
  • Deliver presentations to the network and stakeholders about HR Advisory.
  • Represent the HR Hub during Post visits and HR clinics.
  • Maintain open dialogue and good working relationships as partners in service delivery.

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Psychology, or a business-related field
  • At least 5 years HR experience in a generalist/advisory role
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and prioritise work
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent standard of IT skills are required, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, MS Teams, and the ability to use these systems to produce reports, charts, graphs.
  • Ability to analyse complex information and provide recommendation.
  • Experience in global or regional HR Service Delivery
  • Experience in Asia Pacific HR service delivery with strong focus on employee relations  
  • Experience in account management, business partnering and client-facing role
14 November 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
36
Asia Pacific
Philippines
Manila
British Embassy
1
PHP
PHP 52,500
6 December 2021

Currently on work from home set-up with flexibility in shift from 7am-7pm.

All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit.

Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited.

Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework.

Complete the application form in full as the information provided will be used for screening purposes. Check your application and attachments before you submit your application, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted.

The British Embassy offers a competitive compensation package, 36-hour work week, guaranteed 13th and 14th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on Pro-rata basis if joined after 1 January), extensive medical insurance, life insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year. 

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources and are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.

The British Embassy has a formal flexible working policy and welcomes requests for flexible working arrangements, including non-standard working hours (however staff have to be available during opening hours to take calls from customers) or compressed hours. Team members can work from home however there are times staff must come to the office to deal with customers face to face. 

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, staff are actively encouraged to work from home to limit movement and exposure to others. This impacts normal team-working configurations and work-related travel, which can be discussed with the hiring manager.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Manila is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Philippine employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

Candidates are expected to have a valid NBI Clearance.

All applications must be received before 23:55 Standard Philippine Time on the day of the deadline indicated above. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

To those applicants not shortlisted, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.