Human Resources and Administration Executive

Remuneration: €55,492 - €67,483 

Reporting to: Corporate Operations Manager 

Leave allowance is 29 days per annum (30 days after 5 years), plus 10 Public / Bank Holidays. 

The Job Holder will combine working in Safefood’s office headquarters at Little Island, Cork with working remotely (at home). Occasional travel within Ireland including spending time in the Dublin office may be required to fulfil the requirements of the role. 

Normal working hours are 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.  

Flexible and Blended (Hybrid) Working. 

Career Development 

At Safefood we believe in investing in our people, encouraging them to achieve a work-life balance while providing support for personal and professional development. 

·       We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support you throughout your career. 

·       We provide study and financial support to encourage lifelong learning, as well as assisting you with the costs of professional membership fees. 

Work Life Balance 

In line with comparable Irish Civil Service Terms and Conditions, Safefood offers staff several leave options which support our people through various stages of their life. We have also developed a range of flexible working practices to make it easier for our employees to have a balance between the demands of work and their personal life. 

These include: 

• Competitive annual leave and public holidays.  

• Blended (Hybrid) Working.  

• Flexible Working including Flexitime. 

• Career breaks. 

Additional Financial Benefits  

·       Attractive pension scheme where you will pay a rate of between 4.6% and 7.35% depending on your salary.  

·       Full Payment top up for maternity / paternity / adoptive leave (subject to terms and conditions). 

·       Overtime rates are available to employees who work beyond their normal working hours according to their terms and conditions. 

Employee Wellbeing 

·       Free, confidential counselling and support to employees 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). 

·       VDU Eye Examinations and a contribution towards frames if recommended 

·       Flu vaccinations 

·       Bike to Work Scheme 

JOB PURPOSE 

The HR and Administration Executive will provide advice and assistance to the Corporate Operations Manager in developing and implementing Safefood’s HR strategy. They will review and maintain HR systems, policies and procedures in line with Safefood’s business plan, legislation and best practice. They will represent Safefood at applicable North/South Bodies meetings and develop key relationships with other colleagues in these bodies.  They will advise on, manage and/or maintain the Safefood Pension Scheme, Equality and Disability Schemes and Freedom of Information Code of Practice.  The HR and Administration Executive will ensure that health and safety arrangements at Safefood meet legislative and best practice standards.  They will manage and review HR functions such as recruitment and selection, performance management and learning & development looking to implement best business practices and value for money.  They will demonstrate an ability to research the latest legislation and guidance, provide advice, draft and implement policies and procedures and monitor compliance for Safefood on issues arising. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide advice on policy formulation in regard to human resources and administration. 
• Undertake and manage the process of recruitment and selection of staff to the organisation.  
• Manage and administer the performance appraisal system. 
• Assist the Corporate Operations Manager with the management of IR issues, e.g. grievance, appeals, discipline and other performance-related matters. 
• Ensure HR practices and procedures are developed in accordance with legislation, relevant codes of practice and best practice and changes are implemented in a timely and pro-active manner.   
• Assist the Corporate Operations Manager with the coordination and management of Safefood’s pension scheme.
• Manage and maintain the Statutory Equality Scheme and Disability Action Plans and provide advice to the Corporate Operations Manager as and when required.  
• Manage the HR information system and database. 
• Advise directors, managers and staff of Safefood on HR, equality, Data Protection, FOI and health and safety matters. 
• Implement, maintain and manage Safefood’s Safety Statement providing advice to the Corporate Operations Manager and IS and Facilities Manager on health and safety requirements.   
• Liaise with appropriate external parties and agencies including government departments and agencies, professional bodies and institutes. 
• Provide advice to the Corporate Operations Manager on employment and equality issues in Northern Ireland as they pertain to Safefood’s functions as an all-island body. 

This list is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to take on other tasks and duties for the proper and effective performance of your role.  Your role will change as the needs of the business change and you will be required to adapt to these changes and to develop your role going forward. 

Person Specification Essential Criteria - Education/Qualifications & Experience 

• A Business/HR related degree and/or relevant professional qualification, e.g. Member of CIPD (part qualified may suffice) 

• At least 3 years’ HR generalist experience gained in a HR function within the public, private, voluntary or community sectors.  

• Ability to demonstrate HR generalist knowledge and experience. 

Essential Criteria - Required Competencies 

Analysis and Decision Making 

• Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, weighing up a range of critical factors. 

• Takes account of any broader issues agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions.

• Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions. 

Management & Delivery of Results 

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives.  

• Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time. 

• Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation. 

• Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service for internal and external stakeholders. 

Interpersonal and Communication Skills 

• Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing own role. 

• Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances. 

• Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing 

Drive and Commitment 

• Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives. 

• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon. 

• Ensures that customers are at the heart of own and team work. 

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development 

• Has a clear understanding of the role, objectives and targets and how they support the work of the directorate and communicates this to colleagues. 

• Has high levels of expertise and broad sectoral knowledge relevant to the HR function. 

Desirable Criteria - Education/Qualifications & Experience 

• Membership of CIPD 

• Health & Safety Qualifications 

• Third level qualification in Equality and/or disability areas. 

• Working knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. Health and Safety with experience of advising on and actioning compliance issues. 

• Knowledge of industrial relations issues and working with trade unions. 

Additional Information

Safefood is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion throughout its work. Safefood is required to comply with Equality and Human Rights legislation in both Ireland and Northern Ireland with equality objectives and commitments mainstreamed into its main strategic and operational business plans. It is fully committed to fulfilling these obligations through a proactive approach to equality and human rights issues in all aspects of its work and by providing a working environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, victimisation or harassment.

Safefood’s Disability Action Plan 2021–2025 outlines measures to ensure that equality of opportunity is achieved, with regular monitoring and reporting on progress towards delivering on these commitments submitted to the Equality Commission (NI).

Regular training in equality, diversity and inclusion is provided to all staff to encourage awareness of disability and equality issues and safefood actively encourages people with disabilities to apply for roles in the organisation.

Safefood is committed to meeting our environmental and sustainability obligations to combat climate change by driving down our energy and carbon impacts. We have implemented several initiatives across our offices as part of our Climate Action Plan to recycle, reduce waste, and minimise paper usage. Additionally, by embracing hybrid working arrangements and technology, we have reduced the environmental footprint

of our office spaces and lessened the need for many of our employees to commute and travel. We will continue to explore other opportunities that will support our efforts to meet our future commitments to combat climate change.