View Vacancy - MNL - Regional Head of Human Resources, Asia Pacific, D6

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)
RCSH (Regional Corporate Service Hubs)

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British Embassy. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to if you have any further questions.

Context:

The British Embassy Manila is a large diplomatic mission (around 250 staff) 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.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a Corporate Services Centre consisting of a Global Transaction and Processing Centre and Regional Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement hubs, based in Manila. The HR Hub oversees 36 British Embassies, High Commissions and other Offices located in the Asia Pacific Region FCDO.

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity to strategically lead on all HR aspects for locally employed staff working at British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates located in the region, in collaboration with the London based HR Directorate. The role of the HR Head of Hub is to work through regional teams and lead the provision of key HR Services (recruitment and on boarding, pay and reward, performance management, employee relations, HR enquiries and information management) to customers across the region. The HR Head of Hub will provide strategic and professional HR capability to support Regional Senior Leaders in delivery of business objectives.

The Regional Head of HR will be a key member of the Hub leadership team and an integral part of the global HR team working with staff in the overseas network for the UK Government. He/she will report to the Head of International Policies and Network Unit (based in London) and will deliver through their HR hub team of 15, working closely with London based HR Policy leads, HR Business Partner, Regional Learning and Development Team, Geographical Directorates, Finance and Procurement Teams. This role will be responsible for leading and managing high-level engagement with senior stakeholders and partners in the region.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Leadership and Management (35%) -

  • Provide overall strategic direction and leadership to the HR hub team, in line with London priorities and the agreed role of the hub. Work closely with regional leaders to ensure appropriate HR support for business priorities. Promote Organisational values of respect, expertise, resilience, creativity, courage and public service.
  • Lead the HR Hub Governance to ensure HR Hub resilience; leverage team expertise, skills and abilities for best HR services delivery across the region as well as create great learning and development opportunities in a healthy working environment to support wellbeing.
  • Build the capability of your HR Hub team and line Manage HR Hub staff providing guidance, feedback on performance and development, and effectively delegate work to stretch learning and build resilience
  • Lead the HR Hub operation to ensure high standards of service delivery are met regarding recruitment, pay and reward, talent and performance management, management information as well as a first line service to handle HR enquiries from employees and managers within the region. You will ensure ongoing smooth operations and continuous improvement in each of the process streams.
  • Devise and implement an effective regional HR strategy, based on central HR policy, with clear prioritisation to reflect regional needs and global change programmes
  • Keep professional knowledge up-to date, following trends, ideas and innovations occurring within the HR sphere, to ensure services standards are met and a culture of improvement grows within the Hub

Stakeholder Management (30%) -

  • Act as key influencer to the main regional stakeholders, including; FCDO Geographic Directorates,   HR Leaders in London, Regional HR Business Partners, Consular and Prosperity Directorates, Finance and Procurement Leads and Regional Learning and Development teams.
  • Manage stakeholders from other UK Government departments working on the FCDO platform, to ensure the HR offer also reflects their needs and requirements.
  • Work closely with other Heads of HR Hubs to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice
  • Network and influence stakeholders across the region
  • Manage and liaise with stakeholders at host post building a strong and supportive alliance reflected on Country Business Plan

Strategic HR Support (35%) -

  • Make strategic recommendations based on main Key Performance Indicators measured by the Hub and ensuring delivery of Hub SLAs
  • Monitor customer satisfaction and feedback and recommend necessary adjustments in processes, workflows, staffing levels, etc.
  • Advise and support in handling complex and sensitive issues regarding local staff management or senior stakeholders requests
  • Review and make recommendations on local staff terms and conditions ensuring regional consistency where possible    
  • Liaison between HR in London and locations in the Region on their portfolio of activity, ensuring all new policies are communicated and implemented.
  • Build and implement communication and engagement plan for targeted stakeholders using it as a means to deliver key changes and messages
  • Provide local and regional data analysis to allow informed decision making

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Direct staff management for 2 x Deputy Heads of Hub and 13 other staff

  • Counter-signing officer for 5-6 HR functional managers
  • Countersign the Regional Inclusion Advisor that delivers programmes and interventions to raise performance, improve engagement, resolve conflict to make working environments and relationships as inclusive as possible across UK Missions in the region

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken

 

Essential on arrival:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or Social Sciences (or equivalent evidence of vocational learning).
  • Extensive experience in general HR management and experience of operating in an international HR environment.
  • Over 5 years team management experience, preferably in a shared services environment
  • Experience of leading a multifunctional HR team and a track record of delivery in a shared services environment.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, self- motivated and results driven.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment with remote supervision (role is distance managed)
  • Keenly aware of customer requirements.
  • HR professionally qualified – CIPD or equivalent.
  • Experience of working in a Regional role and of managing customer / stakeholder relations remotely
  • Experience of working in the Asia Pacific Region
10 March 2021
Grade 7 (G7)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36
Asia Pacific
Philippines
Manila
British Embassy
1
PHP
200,522
30 April 2021

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. 
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have work authorisation for the Philippines in order to apply.

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.

Candidates are expected to have a valid NBI Clearance.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 10th March 2021 by 23:55 hours (Philippine Standard Time) as mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

A.    Complete the Online Application Form

B.    Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

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

Kindly check your application centre/email regularly for any updates. 

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

  • The successful candidate must hold the independent right to work and reside in Manila (where the Asia Pacific HR Hub is situated) for the duration of the role, without visa sponsorship.
  • References and security checks will be conducted on the successful candidate
  • This job will require travel regionally and internationally
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.