HR Advisor

MAIN PURPOSE This role is vital to ensure NIFRS complies, across all functions, with its statutory obligations in relation to equality of opportunity and good relations. The HR Advisor will take an active role in the development and delivery of a programme of action to address Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, consistent with the functions of the Service. The post holder will also provide high level specialist advice and guidance across a broad range of equality related matters. Working with a range of internal and external stakeholders the post holder will be responsible for developing, delivering and managing diverse and complex EDI initiatives and projects. The HR Advisor, functioning in the role of an expert advisor, will provide a dedicated and specialist equality, diversity & inclusion resource with a focus on equality profiling and reporting. The post holder will also design and deliver innovative EDI training initiatives across the service. To contribute as an integral member of the HR team to the provision of a modern, professional and responsive HR service to support the vision and mission of NIFRS as outlined on the next page. Summary of Responsibilities: Equality Diversity & Inclusion 1. To provide first line support on key equality initiatives, in the development and implementation of the NIFRS Equality Scheme, Equality Action Plan and Disability Action Plan in line with relevant legislation and good practice. 2. To provide advice and guidance to managers in relation to equality and Human Rights legislation and compliance with statutory duties. 3. To support the Equality Manager in mainstreaming equality within the organisation including within strategic planning and decision making processes. 4. To undertake benchmarking and research activities to support and guide managers in relation to equality screening. 5. To work with colleagues in the development and implementation of systems to ensure compliance with all duties under the Disability Discrimination Act. 6. Responsible for providing advice and guidance across all NIFRS functions with regards to accessibility, workplace adjustments and practical aids for applicants and employees or service users. 7. To conduct and manage appropriate stakeholder consultation on the equality impact of strategies, policies, plans, decisions and courses of action including regular liaison with lead officers, representative bodies and relevant external parties. 8. Responsible for the co-ordination of rural proofing processes, and collation of data and complete all statutory reports to effectively monitor the implementation of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016. 9. To collate accurate and timely evidence and information for statutory returns. Undertake quality assurance of data, audit of systems, practice and procedure and complete detailed reports for statutory returns including Annual Fair Employment Monitoring Return, Section 75 & DDO Annual Progress Report and the Article 55 Triennial Review. 10. To produce accurate and timely information for the purposes of general equality, diversity & inclusion reporting to ELT, the Board, DoH and other agencies. 11. Analyse staff data by gender and other diversity characteristics and produce graphs and trend analysis to present the information for departments. 12. To deliver training related to Equality and Human Rights including training Board Members and Senior Managers. 13. To assist the Equality Manager manage identified work streams within Equality and Human Rights. 14. Liaise with departments to support awards submissions to promote EDI e.g. Diversity Charter Mark, Women in Fire Service Awards, etc. 15. Maintain the ED&I part of the website, ensuring the information is up to date. Post items to the websites, organise the layout and draft content. 16. Keep our webpages under review and make proposals for improving the way the Service presents itself as an employer, and promotes our inclusive policies as family friendly and supportive of staff diversity. 17. Produce internal communications materials for promoting items related to ED&I. 18. To oversee the co-ordination of cases referred to the Reasonable Adjustments Panel and progress agreed actions and reasonable adjustments. 19. Responsible for identifying and continual innovation of appropriate affirmative action measures to ensure the widest attraction for applicants to the NIFRS from the underrepresented groups in the community. 20. To identify opportunities where equality and inclusion can be further strengthened and integrated within NIFRS, including ways to advance intersectionality. 21. Acting as EDI lead, develop key alliances and positively engage with external agencies, networks and local community groups, to ensure NIFRS comprehends EDIrelated issues within the community and the organisation; enabling informed policy decision making. 22. Promote NIFRS as a trusted and valued employer of choice with under-represented communities through maintaining a continued high-profile attendance by NIFRS at key events including within the education sector. 23. Responsible for the development of an EDI calendar of events and internal/ external communications strategy; draft news releases, internal corporate news on events relevant to NIFRS equality strategy to include contentious matters e.g. outreach activity such as Pride Celebrations, positive action events such as Come and Try days for women, female leadership events. 24. Manage the digital content of EDI social media sites, raising external awareness to relevant consultations, events and activities undertaken throughout the organisation in support of S75 responsibilities and good relations. 25. Develop evaluation tools, processes and metrics to assess and measure the effectiveness and impact of policy and strategies upon equality of opportunity. Use data to continuously improve policy and strategy and measure their impact on individuals, Section 75 groups and organisational performance General Responsibilities 1. To provide a high level of internal and external customers service including taking ownership of customer queries and complaints and following issues through to completion. 2. Build relationships, work collaboratively and engage with management, staff, trade unions and external partners to guide and implement change projects and EDI initiatives, participating on assigned corporate working groups or project teams to promote and build best practice 3. To comply with all NIFRS frameworks, policies and procedures, including but not limited to those relating to legal requirements such as equality, health and safety and information governance. 4. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments across a broad range of HRrelated activity to include changes to regulations, legislation and national/local terms and conditions of employment. (Continuing Professional Development). 5. To direct and signpost managers and officers to the appropriate source for issues outside the remit of this post. This includes providing cover for service areas other than that initially assigned. Criteria Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Hold relevant university degree or professional qualification* (Level 6 or above); and
• Have, or working towards current associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD); and
• Have at least three years’ experience advising on Equality, Diversity & Inclusion matters, either as primary duties or as a significant part of a Human Resources role within a large**, unionised, multi-site, multi-disciplinary organisation.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience continued Able to demonstrate three years’ experience in the following:

• Providing expert HR advice on EDI matters to a senior level within a large** complex multi-dimensional organisation.
• Developing, delivering and evaluating training in various delivery formats.
• Completion of statutory equality reports e.g. Article 55 Review, Annual Monitoring Return, Section 75 Annual Progress Report and Rural Needs Annual Submission

Can demonstrate: a) Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver multiple projects simultaneously and effectively under competing deadlines. b) A sound understanding of current employment legislation relating to EDI. c) Strong technical ability to enable effective data manipulation, interpretation, evidence research and report writing reporting on same to senior management and external stakeholders. d) Excellent IT skills and be able to demonstrate experience in the use of MS Office Suite applications.

Other Requirements

• Possess a full, current UK driving licence or have access to a form of transport which enables them to fulfil the full requirements of the job

Desirable

• Experience working within local government or the public sector.
• Implementing Section 75 equality screening, Equality Impact Assessments (EQIA).
• Relevant certified training or qualification in Consultation/Engagement