Job Description and Person Specification
Please note this statement is for information only and does not form part of a contract. This list
is not exhaustive and you will be expected to undertake such duties as may be assigned to you
by ActionAid from time to time. Employees are expected to be flexible in their work in order to
deliver the objectives of the organisation.
Job title
Contract type
Grade/starting salary
Reporting to
Direct reports
Head of Human Resources
Permanent
6b
Chief Operating Officer
2 HR Business Partners
Context
Are you passionate about making a real difference?
As part of the global ActionAid family, we are helping to build a fair and just world where
everyone can claim their rights. To achieve this we work with local people in more than 45
countries to fight hunger and disease, seek justice and education for women, hold companies
and governments to account and help communities cope with emergencies.
In the UK our role is to raise funds to carry out programme work internationally, to motivate and
engage our supporters and the general public and to campaign for change. We are a value
driven, forward thinking organisation, focused on achieving long-term change through
supporting our partners to make a sustainable difference.
Purpose of the Role
ActionAid UK has undergone and continues to undergo a period of considerable change;
implementing new business models and working with greater flexibility in order to deliver our
organisational priorities. As an organisation funded by institutional donors (including the
Government) and public donations, the wider picture for public and personal finances
significantly impacts upon us and the need for greater internal efficiency is a priority. These
challenges will require new organisational models and ways of working.
As Head of HR you will set the strategic direction of the Human Resources function in the UK
and ensure that all elements contribute directly to the achievement of UK organisational goals.
You will also be responsible for leading and developing the HR Team in the provision of a
powerful and effective HR strategy and service encompassing all aspects of HR, with a focus on
organisational change, resourcing and employee development.
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
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Organisational Chart
Head of Human
Resources
HR Business Partner
HR Business Partner
HR Officer
Resourcing
Advisor
Key tasks and responsibilities
Organisational Development
1. Review and modernise management practices within ActionAid UK to ensure effective
and up to date management and ways of working within the organisation.
2. Contribute to the organisational development of ActionAid UK by initiating and
supporting a continuous management development programme.
3. Develop and promote a culture of performance management and objective setting within
ActionAid UK. Lead on the delivery of bi-annual appraisal briefings to ensure processes
and practices are well understood.
4. Develop and implement successful strategies for engaging and working with senior
managers and other employees in the management of change and attainment of good
HR practice.
5. Lead on the development and delivery of the annual staff survey and subsequent action
planning in line with best practice models.
6. Identify changing, emerging and new trends in HR and bring to the attention of senior
colleagues through board reports and presentations in order to inform strategy and
business practice.
7. Identify needs and opportunities to improve HR services in consultation with users and
stakeholders, based on logical conclusions drawn from valid and reliable data.
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
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8. Ensure that the policies and contracts of ActionAid UK are compliant with UK legislation,
relate appropriately to ActionAid International global HR policies and that they contribute
to the achievement of the ActionAid UK strategy.
9. Ensure effective employee relations by maintaining a consultative relationship with the
recognised trade union and facilitating the regular joint negotiating committee meetings.
10. Manage the job evaluation scheme including job evaluation panels and promote good
practice across the organisation by encouraging annual job description reviews to
ensure the organisational structure is continuously up-to-date.
11. Lead on a number of HR projects designed to support the delivery of the ActionAid UK
organisational strategy.
12. Develop and maintain positive internal relationships with key stakeholders including
Health and Safety, Facilities Management, IT and Finance.
Reward, resourcing and workforce development strategies
13. Ensure that reward and performance management systems are competitive and that
they are aligned to the achievement of ActionAid UK’s strategic plan.
14. Lead on the annual pay award negotiations with the recognised trade union in line with
affordability, comparability and cost of living criteria.
15. Develop, implement and manage a competency framework to underpin the recruitment
and development of ActionAid UK employees.
16. Ensure the provision of a cost effective, efficient and best practice recruitment service to
the organisation.
17. Lead on workforce planning within ActionAid UK including succession planning.
18. Develop and deliver the HR end of the corporate People Strategy and the HR Operating
Plan.
19. Develop a Learning and Development Strategy aligned to ActionAid UK’s current and
future needs and initiate talent management strategies to develop the future leaders of
the organisation. Develop the annual learning and development programme in line with
strategic, team and individual requirements.
20. Manage the monthly payroll for ActionAid UK and ActionAid International staff who are
based in the UK ensuring compliance with internal and legislative guidelines. This
includes managing the payroll supplier relationship to ensure the monthly payroll is
delivered accurately and to agreed timescales.
21. Oversee the pensions and life assurance provision for ActionAid UK and ActionAid
International staff based in the UK ensuring that legislative requirements are met and
that best value for money is achieved for staff.
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
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22. Manage and monitor the supplier provision of the Employee Assistance Programme,
Occupational Health and Travel Clinics to ensure good service provision and that are
SLAs are met.
Development and Management of the HR function
23. Develop and regularly review the HR structure and function to support the strategic
objectives of ActionAid UK.
24. Manage the HR team, providing leadership, direction and guidance, motivation and
support, clear objectives, personal development and meaningful feedback on their
performance and address underperformance promptly.
25. Develop relevant HR metrics that quantify the added value to the organisation of the
function and meet the monthly reporting requirements of ActionAid UK and International.
26. Embed the principles of a business partnership approach to ensure effective support to
ActionAid UK departments in achieving their plans.
27. Produce, manage and maintain the HR team budget and the central training and
recruitment budgets for ActionAid UK.
28. Make recommendations to the Chief Operating Officer for the development of the HR
team and HR strategy to add value to the function’s contribution to the achievement of
the ActionAid UK strategy.
29. Matrix manage the HR Business Partner for ActionAid International and support the
ActionAid International Head of HR to oversee the effective provision of an HR service to
the staff of ActionAid International who are based in the UK.
30. Manage organisational risks and ensure that ActionAid's best interests are served and
the organisation is appropriately represented in all employee relations issues.
31. Ensure that ActionAid UK has cost effective, consistent and appropriate external legal
advice on employment law matters, both for specific issues and as part of a
management awareness programme.
32. Overall responsibility for ensuring implementation of data protection and records
management within the HR function.
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
4
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Full membership of the CIPD
Degree level or equivalent qualification
Post graduate degree in management or
relevant subject area
Comprehensive knowledge of UK employment
law.
In depth understanding of and commitment to
diversity and equality issues.
Experience of successful project management.
Substantial HR experience at senior management
level
Experience of reviewing HR structures and
business processes.
Experience of working with and negotiating with
Trade Unions
Developing HR strategy
Financial understanding including the ability to
quickly understand the financial consequences of
employment decisions and to impose budgetary
restraint upon others where required.
Experience of development and management of
competency frameworks
Experience of policy and procedures development
Workforce planning and talent
management
Experience of managing HR projects from
inception to completion.
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
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Essential
Desirable
Development of rewards and benefits packages.
Significant experience of managing and resolving
employee relations issues including sensitive and
complex cases
Experience of managing Employment
Tribunal claims (in collaboration with
appointed legal advisors)
Job evaluation schemes management
Experience of working with and advising senior
management teams.
Experience of risk management at organisational
level, as well as raising risk awareness within the
team and ensure all risks relating to their team and
area of work are documented, monitored and
managed
Sound knowledge of Health & Safety regulations
Development and implementation of effective
employee resourcing and talent management
processes.
Skills and Abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Confidence to apply both formal and informal
styles where required. Strong interpersonal skills.
Negotiation and coaching skills, including the
ability to coach and develop senior managers
Strong influencing skills, able to persuade others
to support own goals
Sound leadership skills, able to motivate and
make difficult decisions
IT skills (Microsoft office)
HR databases
Behaviours
Flexibility of thought and approach. Ability to adapt
and adjust legal and HR best practice appropriately
in a complex working environment supporting
managers with varying degrees of experience and
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
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diverse job roles.
Emotional resilience, confidence, discretion and
respect for confidentiality.
High level of emotional intelligence, understanding
what motivates others and sufficient selfawareness to realise impact of own behaviour on
others.
Able to think outside the box and challenge the
status quo
Flexible and responsive, able to work effectively
with competing and changing demands and cope
with ambiguity.
ActionAid is a registered charity (number 274467) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 1295174)
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