HR Officer

Reference: HRO 14/25
Salary Scale: £34,325 to £37,796 per annum
Location: Hybrid (regular attendance is required at NIAO headquarters, 106 University Street, Belfast)
Contract:  Permanent
Hours: Full Time (37 hours per week). We welcome applications for part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week, pro-rata salary).
Responsible to: Head of People and Organisational Development

As a member of the HR team and reporting to the Head of People and Organisational Development, you will play a key part in shaping and delivering a high quality professional HR & OD service to our Senior Leadership Team, managers and staff, providing people-focused solutions that support strategic goals, enhance organisational performance and employee engagement, and ensure fair, consistent employment practices across the workforce.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As HR officer you will:

• Provide expert Human Resources advice and guidance to employees and line managers on a wide range of HR matters, employment law and best practice.
• Ensure consistent and equitable application of all HR policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR data, monitor and produce regular reports on HR metrics and KPIs to support and inform strategic and operational decision-making.
• Develop and implement proactive HR solutions that prioritise early intervention, clear communication and effective risk management.
• Support employee relations matters, including performance management, absence management and any grievances, disciplinary, bullying and harassment cases.
• Lead recruitment activities, working closely with hiring managers and ensuring inclusive and efficient hiring practices while streamlining recruitment processes to enhance the overall experience for both candidates and managers.
• Support the development and maintenance of a proactive approach to attendance management, in conjunction with managers, including provision of data, identification of absence trigger points, Occupational Health referrals, case management, return to work meetings, OH recommended reasonable adjustments and other remedial actions.
• Support the coordination and management of HR casework and investigations, ensuring accurate documentation, recording, reporting and compliance.
• Coordinate the preparation of statutory equality monitoring returns to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and alignment with Section 75 obligations.
• Contribute to HR policy development, ensuring compliance with legislative and organisational requirements.
• Contribute to the development and optimisation of HR systems and digital tools to enhance efficiency and user experience.
• Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders including trade unions.
• Deliver training on core people management topics to build capability across the organisation.
• Support the implementation of the NIAO’s People, Wellbeing and EDI Strategies and action plans, contributing to initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across the organisation.
• Assist with employee engagement survey administration, analysis, reporting and outcomes action planning
• Other relevant duties as required.