Gulf Cluster HR Manager

Job Description

The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language.We work in two ways ? directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK.These connections lead to an understanding of each others strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.Role PurposeThe Cluster HR Manager will support the Regional HR Advisory Lead MENA, Cluster Leads and Country Directors by providing advisory operational HR expertise across the broad spectrum of HR activity, to support efficient and effective business operations. This role supports both the country leadership teams and the English, Exams, Education & Society and Arts Strategic Business Units (SBUs) to develop strategies, plans, budgets, projects and timelines to deliver the country people and business plan. The role will be key to ensuring that the HR services provided in the cluster are consistent with global HR policies and processes, reflect local policy frameworks, and are high quality and efficient and will work with HR Centre of Expertise (CoE) colleagues to deliver corporate, regional and country results.Main AccountabilitiesConsultancy, analysis & problem-solving

• Applies HR technical and professional knowledge, recognised best practice approaches and insight from previous experience to resolve non-standard issues which arise in the provision of functional support to a specific organisational unit or area of corporate activity
• Deploys a range of HR specialist or bespoke approaches to support the provision of high-quality services and advice
• Conducts analysis using a range of standard methodologies and across multiple data-sets to provide high quality and evidence-based procedural recommendations and HR advice
• Acts as a point of escalation for the Country Directors and Country leadership teams to resolve complex and/or sensitive employee relations case work issues.
• In conjunction with Country Leadership Teams, manages emergency planning and contingency and executes on withdrawal policy and procedures.
• Scopes, plans, delivers and evaluates HR/OD and change projects / initiatives, working closely with regional CoE leads as required.

Relationship and stakeholder management

• Working with Country Leadership Teams, contributes to the delivery of the country plan through the HR strategy, budgets and people plans - sharing expertise and learning and ensuring an integrated approach to delivering high impact HR advice and quality service delivery in country.
• Consults closely with internal customers and other stakeholder to understand current and future business needs, and plans work activities accordingly to ensure the services and advice they provide meets those demands
• Provides expert HR advice informed by local labour laws and other relevant regulations, support and challenge to internal customers and other stakeholders to support the development of high quality, effective and continuously improving business practices within their area of expertise, ensuring high quality service is delivered to maximise performance and minimise risks and costs
• Line manages some members of the HR team within the cluster

Service improvement

• Within the HR function, identifies opportunities for procedural improvements within established policies and determines the most appropriate mechanisms and processes for implementing those changes. Demonstrates awareness of relevant governance arrangements that relate to making system or procedural changes
• Makes professional recommendations to resolve specific or localised HR issues but also offers ideas which contribute to the development of wider solutions to broader business challenges and problems.
• Participates as part of a team to support implementation the people component of corporate or regional change projects.

Functional expertise

• Supports the business to manage all aspects of the employee life cycle.
• Supports business execution of organisation re-structures compliant with British Council policies and legal requirements (e.g. advises and participates with business on execution of the consultation process and managing redundancies)
• Builds the relationship, informs and consults with local staff associations.
• Manages and advises on all discipline and conduct related issues, up to and including dismissal. This includes advising management on the level of misconduct and supporting decisions on the outcome/penalty and notifying involved parties of the decision.
• Manages the exit survey and feedback gathering.
• Provides advice and solutions to business that cannot be answered by Search HR or AskHR
• Supports the business in the implementation of CoE framework, methodologies, policies, process and systems
• Provides detailed analytics at regional and country level to translate into business-driven people initiatives.
• Uses a variety of information, resources and professional networks to maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in external policy, practice and regulation within the HR function.

About You (essential requirements for the role):

• Demonstrable experience in a generalist or specialist HR Advisory role across a number of countries; well versed in all areas of the HR life cycle.
• Demonstrable experience of leading the successful implementation of both organisation and HR change projects. Effective change management communication skills
• Track record of building effective relationships with business leadership teams and managing a range of complex internal and external stakeholders in the delivery of high quality and effective professional HR services.
• Working knowledge of employment and labour law in countries where you work /with transferable knowledge, including working knowledge of social security for nationals.

Desirable criteria

• HR qualification (BA, MA/MSC, or CIPD or equivalent)
• Working in international not for profit organisations operating in MENA
• Experience of working in a matrix management structure.
• Knowledge and understanding of UK employment practices.
• Experience of balancing requirements from global policies versus local need.

Further Information

• Role: Gulf Cluster HR Manager ? Req ID 16078
• Number of positions :1
• Pay Band: F/7
• Contract type: 12 months fixed term local contract
• Location: Flexible in North Africa only
• Closing date and time: 1 August 2022 (23.59 Gulf Standard Time)

Candidates should have the legal rights to live and work in North Africa.Please note that all applications should be submitted only in English.It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment.A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion(EDI) StatementThe British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.The British Council iscommitted to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council?s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.orgPlease note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ?ASK HR? email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.

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