Working Hours: 37
Location: Service HQ, Kelvedon Park
The Role
Are you ready for an exciting and rewarding opportunity to lead the Human Resources team of one of the country’s biggest, dynamic and progressive Fire & Rescue Services?
This role needs to lead strategically focussed People Services ensuring that we have the right people with the right skills and abilities to perform effectively and safely. This role oversees key areas within People Services, including HR Business Partnering, Recruitment, HR Support, and Learning and Development. You'll make sure these functions run smoothly, efficiently, and get things right the first time, every time.
What You Will Be Working On
• Support the Director of People Services to deliver the People and Inclusion Strategy to support the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) and Fire and Rescue Plan.
• Lead and influence key stakeholders to ensure the people aspects of our strategy are fully considered and delivered. Ensuring all delivery plans and projects take people and organisational issues into account.
• Build and manage relationships with key internal stakeholders and partner organisations to improve the ability to implement the People and Inclusion Strategy and maximise opportunities for collaboration.
• Maintain and develop the effectiveness of all functions allocated to this post by ensuring cohesive plans are produced which specify outcomes, resources, staff development, performance measures and standards to be achieved. Report regularly on delivery of plans (monthly, quarterly and annual reporting mechanisms in place). Focus on no ‘standalone’ functions and excellent service delivery.
• Lead HR policy and ensure practice is in accordance with developments in regulation and employment law and sufficiently mitigates risk on behalf of the Authority.
• Ensure overall service delivery of the HR Business Partnering function, ensuring that we partner the Service well and ensure that workforce information in used to direct our focus, offer appropriate advisory support and inform evidence based decision making.
What Are We Looking For?
Our Service’s strength lies in our people, and we want to make sure they feel empowered
to make a difference and serve our communities effectively.
The Assistant Director of HR role at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) is a great opportunity for an experienced HR leader to make a real impact. This role focuses on building a high-performing and inclusive culture where our people are supported, engaged and motivated to achieve our strategic goals.
We are looking for someone who can lead and deliver key strategic initiatives, such as the People and Inclusion Strategy, Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), and Fire and Rescue Plan. The role involves strengthening and aligning our HR services, including People Partnering, Recruitment, and HR Support, to create a cohesive, high-performing team.
The ideal candidate will have strong relationship-building skills, including working
effectively with internal stakeholders and representative bodies. They should have in-depth knowledge of employment law, workforce planning, recruitment and learning and development to ensure our teams have the skills and support they need to work safely and effectively.
We are looking for someone with a proven track record of managing HR functions
efficiently, using data-driven decisions, and delivering excellent, streamlined services.
Eligibility
• Please see Person Specification
How to apply
Please complete your application by Monday 27 January at midday. You should attach a supporting statement of no more than 1000 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification, along with an up-to-date CV. You may submit this either as a word document, PDF, PowerPoint, mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video).
Once we receive your application, we’ll arrange a short telephone conversation to discuss eligibility and your career history.
The assessment and selection approach will be:
Shortlisting
Monday 27 January 2025 – assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria detailed in the person specification.
Interview and assessment centre
This will include a psychometric assessment, a presentation, an inclusion panel, a written assessment and a panel interview
The assessment date is planned to take place on Monday 10 February 2025
Disability Confident
Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk
You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
Safeguarding
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.
You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.
The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.
This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .