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Job summary

UK Research and Innovation
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (14 months).
Hours: Full-time (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Minimum 2 days per week in office).
Closing Date: Sunday 19th July 2026.

Job description

About the role

Do you have experience of working in an operational HR role where no two days are the same? Are you self-motivated, happy to use your own judgement and provide sound support to colleagues at varying levels? If yes, then this role is for you...

People are at the centre of all we do. Your role will be varied and fast paced with learning opportunities along the way. As a large team of HR professionals, we strive to provide high quality provisions to c6500 employees across UKRI, by working together and supporting each other.

You will be joining UKRI at an exciting time as we adapt to a new HR and Finance System and the opportunities this brings to review and enhance our ways of working, bringing functionality and simplified processes to assist Employees and Managers to ‘self-serve’ HR first line enquiries.

Our fantastic team is based across several locations. Whilst we work in a hybrid environment, we do require on-site working twice a week (as a minimum) as we believe spending time in person and collaborating is important for us as individuals and as a team. We do however understand the balance of work / life pressures; therefore, our team work flexibly around their personal commitments.

Your responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day queries, providing professional, timely, accurate and robust advice and guidance to managers and staff in line with the HR delegation framework on a wide range of HR queries including pay, attendance, working patterns, performance management, etc., providing advice on associated policies and completion of forms as appropriate.
• Manage or provide support as appropriate on a range of casework including sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases etc.
• Work closely with colleagues in the HR Operations Team, Strategic HR Business Partners and the HR Centres of Expertise in helping to deliver a consistent and joined-up HR service across the organisation.
• Build effective working relationships with managers and staff and with other HR colleagues to support the maintenance and development of best practice policies and procedures.
• Participate as appropriate in the development and delivery of HR learning and personal development initiatives.
• Lead or support on HR-related projects as appropriate.
• Review and analyse MI data and trends in order to make recommendations on data-driven HR actions.
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach to work, to ensure that records are kept up to date and letters, guidance and templates etc are accurate and appropriate.
• Liaise with colleagues in UKSBS, and other external organisations as appropriate.
  

Person specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Current, relevant experience working in an operational HR role, ideally supporting primarily on employee casework and advice and guidance to employees and managers (S&I).
• Appropriate CIPD Qualification or equivalent skills and knowledge gained from working in an HR role (S).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present information, to persuade, influence, counsel, support or challenge people at all levels, often in sensitive circumstances, and to treat information confidentially. Good attention to detail (S&I).
• Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own time effectively (I).
• Ability to apply judgement and decision-making to find innovative solutions which meet customer needs, within policy or procedural requirements (I).
• Ability to work with ambiguity and conflicting priorities (I).
• A track record of effectively managing a range of casework (S&I).
• A self-motivated, results-focused and proactive, approach to work, with a strong record of delivery (I).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,841, UK Research and Innovation contributes £10,962 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org