At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Construction activities for the SKAO's telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.
SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes' data.
The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.
The Role
Following the establishment of the Observatory as an Intergovernmental Organisation and the creation of local offices in Australia and South Africa, there is a requirement for an HR Advisor to provide local HR advice and support to both local and global SKA Low personnel.
This role would be suitable for an experienced generalist HR Advisor with expertise in employee relations and HR project delivery to support existing HR team. The HR Advisor will report to SKA Low HR Business Partner and be part of the SKA-Low Business Enabling team.
This position is available on a full-time, part-time or job share basis. We also support flexible hours working arrangements and note a level of flexibility will be required of the candidate to accommodate meetings outside the standard band of hours to reflect time zones of stakeholders, in particular SKAO in the UK. The position will require some domestic travel to Geraldton and the Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio Astronomy Observatory and may require occasional international travel.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
* Provide high quality and consistent subject matter expertise on people related matters across the entire employee lifecycle, working closely with HR colleagues to build one SKA team ethos.
* Monitor service delivery tool to receive, triage and use initiative to respond to complex queries, maintain records and ensure matters are resolved or referred for resolution, seeking guidance on escalating matters.
* Support and work closely with both SKAO and CSIRO HR colleagues in the delivery of wider HR SKA people objectives, in particular this being in relation to all staff working on the SKA-Low collaboration, both in relation to SKAO and CSIRO-employed staff.
* Implement HR administrative and project activity in line with agreed priorities, including supporting recruitment, induction, capability development and other SKA-Low staff activity.
* Proactively respond to feedback and concerns, following up or escalating as required.
* Anticipate and manage people queries in ambiguous situations, recognising and taking account of different policy backdrops in line with both SKAO and CSIRO employed staff. Demonstrate flexibility in thinking and adjust strategies, goals and priorities when required.
* Demonstrate integrity, tact and the ability to handle personal, sensitive and confidential information; understand appropriate use and disclosure of personal information and relevant privacy legislation.
* Work in a values‐aligned manner, modelling desired culture, to achieve a cohesive, collaborative team.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Tertiary qualifications in human resources management, employee relations or related field.
* Experience in roles providing the full range of generalist HR advice across the employment lifecycle that is consistent, accurate and considered.
* Demonstrated ability to influence, advise and communicate with all levels both written and verbal.
* Strong knowledge of ER/IR matters including interpretation of enterprise agreement, policy and procedure, and legislation.
* Strong learning agility with demonstrated ability to work with new and different approaches, being comfortable operating within a varied and complex environments.
* Excellent customer service supported by strong organisational abilities enabling rapid resolution of queries.
* Strong ability to initiate, build and maintain strong and effective relationships and partnerships with all levels of stakeholders.
* Demonstrated ability to lead small projects, and provide expert input and support on larger project activity.
* Proactive approach, being able to identify and recommend innovations to improve work practices and the workplace environment.
* Motivated and resilient team player with the drive to support the overall SKA Observatory objectives.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Experience contributing to a geographically dispersed team, building a strong and inclusive team culture across site.
* Knowledge of Australian employment law.
* Knowledge of Intergovernmental organisations, with an understanding the impact of privileges and immunities on the reward and policy landscape.
* Knowledge of monthly payroll requirements.
* Experience in start up environment.
* Experience of implementing new HR systems.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.
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